She left the place she grew up to pursue a career, and how dare she! Family is important, but theres something so awful about loved ones not caring at all about Melanies success. Instead of being proud, the complaints circle around the fact that Melanie left.

Who does Melanie end up with in Sweet Home Alabama?

Melanie finds Jake at the beach planting lightning rods in the sand during a rainstorm to create more glass sculptures. She says they are still married. They return to what would have been Melanie and Andrews reception, and finally, have their first dance as husband and wife.