It is an unsettling feeling to be homesick before you've even gone anywhere, but that is the unique predicament I find myself in at the moment. You see, we're moving. Not just to a bigger house or a nicer side of town, but to a completely different city. And while plenty of you out there have done this before and are probably wondering what the big deal is, this will be my very first time, ever. (Okay, okay, so I did live away from home during college, but that doesn't really count.)
I've lived in this beautiful town of mine for my entire life. It is all I know, and I feel like I know it pretty well. I know the streets inside and out, I know the restaurants and grocery stores, I know which schools are highly performing and the safe neighborhoods to live in, I even know the names of the plants and animals that are native to our surroundings. But most of all, I know the people. My parents, in-laws, and siblings all live here. I know the lifeguards and librarians. No matter which Mormon congregation I attend, there is a familiar face. And while this has gotten me into trouble a time or two ("You're musical Maryann's daughter? You must be a brilliant piano player!") I like it this way.
I love bumping into elementary school friends at the mall, love seeing old swimming buddies at my husband's Christmas parties, love being saved by my box loading brother when my debit card doesn't work at COSTCO, love calling my siblings at a moment's notice to watch my kids while I go to the doctor, pool or movie, love noisy family dinners nearly every Sunday, love lugging a baby up 36 flights of stairs with my mother each Thursday because we think it's good exercise, love all the help we get with our house and all the stuff that we exchange, love, love, love everything about this place.
When I made my New Year's Resolutions to make friends outside of my family and cut clutter to find a place for everything, moving was not what I had in mind. But I suppose it's time to grow up. Now that I'm nearly thirty (well, in a few years anyway) it's time to cut the cord and start my own life. Time to buy my own stuff instead of borrowing it, time to fork out money for a real babysitter instead of using and abusing my family, time to try something new. It's scares the living daylights out of me, but I know you can't grow being complacent and that's probably what I've become. So here's to new experiences, new surroundings and new challenges. May I be a better person because of it.
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so....where will you be moving? And when?
ReplyDeleteI didn't even know. Hopefully this move ends up being a good thing for you and your little family.
ReplyDeleteWhere are you going? And why? What will the Campbell Ward do without you?? (unless you were cut out of the ward during the boundary change after I left...)
ReplyDeleteAlso, I have to say that while reading this, I realized that never in my entire married life have I had any of the above situation. I guess we were four hours away from Jeremy's family for about a year, seven years ago, but that's it.
I bawled, again reading this post...we are going to miss you guys so much. But, at least it is only a few hours a way, and having done a big move a time or two myself (moving to Utah for 5 years after my mission, and now here in Tucson) it gets better. I will always have moments of homesickness, I still dream about driving the streets of Rutland, VT where I spent my whole life, but trust me when I tell you, that where your husband and your children are, is home. We love you!
ReplyDeletewhen is the big day?? you'll survive. you always do.
ReplyDeletebtw--- HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Amanda! Wow! Where are you guys going? You'll do just great! Just be yourself and everyone will LOVE you!
ReplyDeleteWell, I am excited and hoping that MAYBE we will be in the same ward! You will make tons of friends and be fine.
ReplyDeleteI totally just noticed yesterday that there was a for sale sign in your yard and a lock box on your front door! I got nervous because I had no idea you guys were moving :). Where did you guys move to? It sounds from your post that it may be Phoenix, or thereabouts. Wherever it is, you'll be wonderful and will make a bunch of friends! We wish you the best though and I'll definitely miss Addison in sunbeams.
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