"Where are you from?"

I hate that question. Yes I know "hate" is a strong word, but I cringe every time someone notices my accent that tends to slip out when relatives visit, and asks, "Where are you from?"

How do you calculate your "from"? Is it where you were born? Is it the place you graduated high school? Is it the place that you lived the most years?

I've lived in 6 states and have moved over 20 times. My "grew up in" city that most people would connect me to, the place where I lived from first grade until I graduated high school, I don't connect with. I had great friends growing up there, but I jumped at the first chance I had to move 1300 miles away. I knew something about that city wasn't for me long ago. I don't think that makes me from there.

What about my "born in" city? Is that where I'm from? We lived there until I was 3, and I've gone back to that state only a handful of times for sightseeing. If I were to suddenly become famous, would they put my name on the water tower as it being my hometown?

Having lived in Texas over 13 years, I'll soon be surpassing my "grew up in" city, with here being the area I've lived in the longest. So am I now from Texas? I'm not so sure.

My "from" doesn't fit into a neat little box and doesn't define who I really am. I'm a wife. I'm a mom. I'm a (multiple) business owner. I'm a friend. I'm a baker. I'm a cat lover. I'm a Starbucks grande peppermint mocha frappuccino with no whipped cream drinker. I'm a late blooming actress. I'm a high heels only wearer. I'm an entrepreneur. I'm a night person. I'm an early adopter of all things tech. I'm a beach goer. I'm a world traveler. I'm a volunteer. I'm a singer in the car. I'm a jokester. I'm a perfectionist. I'm a deal finder. 

I'm so much more than "from."