What brought you to Alabama?

“I was born in Staten Island and I moved to upstate Pennsylvania when I was 12 until I was 18. Then I went into the Marine Corps. My ex-husband’s mother lives here. She’s pretty much my mom. She’s been sick, so my ex-husband asked me if I would come down and stay with her because he is deployed right now. I had a lot of problems after I got out of the Marine Corps. She’s the only person who never quit. It’s everything. She’s my best friend. She is. I have a list of quotes that she says. I write down everything she says to me. Her one quote she always says is, ‘If it’s to be, it’s up to me.’ She tells me that every day. She’s my mom.” – Brittany Schmidt of Gadsden

Brittany Schmidt is new to Alabama and loves how friendly the people are here. (Tamika Moore / People of Alabama)

Schmidt moved to Alabama about six months ago and has no plans to leave. Her favorite thing about the state so far?

“How friendly and easy-going people are.”

These are the faces and stories of people from all walks of life who call Alabama home. People of Alabama is a Red Clay Media and Alabama NewsCenter partnership.