Aimée, I'm living in San Antonio again, for the third time (military family). I read Sandra Cisnero's, "The House on Mango Street" to understand a little about what we were getting into the first time we moved here, and not only did it prepare me, it gave me all the feels you noted above about my own SC home.
Like other commenters here, I need to read it again as I live here, yet again. Thank you for this beautiful piece!