Our driveway, our yard, our home-that-was.
8: Semesters of College
11: Months of Beauty School
2: Years of Blogging
2: Homes--Grandma and Grandpa's (2008-2010), and my home with Angel (2010-2014)
3: Times our car broke down within a few miles from home and had to be towed
9: Cats-- Amoxicillin, Morphine, Narcan, Morphine 2, Narcan 2, Clyndamycin, Clyndamycin 2 Penicillin, Pipperacillin Tazobactam
3: Vacations with Angel: Kentucky Honeymoon, Minnesota Trip, Malaysia trip
2: Vacations without Angel: A trip out west to Wyoming, and DisneyWorld
5: Trips to Texas to visit family (twice by plane, 3 times by car)
5: TV shows we got slightly addicted to and watched every single episode of: The Office, Downton Abbey, Sherlock, Psych, Once Upon a Time
3: Wedding anniversaries: 1st: celebrated at Craig's Cruisers Arcade, 2nd: at Great Wolf Lodge, 3rd: with a much-belated weekend in Chicago
Countless: bonfires and parties with friends and family, movie nights on the couch, bike rides down country roads, visits to the beach, sledding in the backyard, shoveling snow, cooking quesadillas with my husband, going to Bible study with friends
............................................................................
I honestly thought that I wouldn't feel sad when the day came for us to leave Michigan. Out of all of the places I've lived, it took me the longest to adjust to this place when I arrived here in 2008.
However, now that the time has come, now that it's real, even though I'm so excited to go, I have my moments of sadness. They come when I'm driving down a very familiar street, when I suddenly realize that where I'm going, there are not yet any familiar streets. They come when I'm awkwardly saying goodbye to someone I love--giving them a quick hug and trying to imagine that I'll see them again soon...but knowing that it won't actually be soon.
After 6 years here, I guess it's expected that I've grown a little attached to my place. No, I never saw Angel and I settling down in the farmhouse where we've lived--but still, it's the house we arrived home to for the first time together on the evening of our wedding. It's the house where I fell off ladders as I embarked on my quest to paint each room a different color of the rainbow. I always knew it wouldn't be home for very long, but it has been our home, and now it's not, not anymore.
A couple years from now, we won't be able to take a little drive and show our kids the place on the lawn of our college campus where "Mommy and Daddy first met." I am going to miss seeing my little cousins regularly and being a part of their lives as they grow up. We won't get to meet up with our college buddies every couple months anymore.
I'm so happy to go. I have no doubt that this is precisely what Angel and I ought to do with our lives. But that doesn't stop the little pang of sadness that always comes with leaving.
I was wrong. I thought that leaving Michigan would be the easiest thing I've ever done. I've had some not-so-good times here--my freshman year of college and beauty school and every single never-ending winter among those times. This hasn't been the easiest place for me to fit in. But I got used to being an oddball, and I thank God that I will miss this place a little--that alone shows that there was plenty of good stuff mixed in with the bad. I think it shows that my years here haven't been a waste--I very much hope that some of the people I'm leaving behind will miss me, too.
With Michigan, I know it's never a permanent goodbye. I'll always have family here, and that means I get to come back again someday. But when we do come back, it'll be for short trips and visits, not a permanent stay...it'll be different. The Michigan countryside that I've grown pretty familiar with isn't ever going to be my everyday view ever again. I knew I was going to miss my family and friends--saying goodbye is always the hardest part of going anywhere new, but I must say, I'm surprised at how hard this goodbye is to say.
Aww, I got a little sad for you while reading this. Even when you are happy to go to a new place, it's always hard to leave behind the memories of the old one.
I'm sad and very excited for you. Michigan will always be there when you want to return. Now is the time for undiscovered territories. Your adventure awaits! : )
bisous
Suzanne
I'm so excited to read all about your new journey!
Goodbyes are always so hard! It's good to remember that leaving Michigan is not permanent. (Having family in the mitten state makes it even easier to come back.) Meanwhile, have an awesome time in China! I can't wait to read about all of your new adventures!
oh my goodness lady, I can't believe the time has come! I know the leaving is hard but you're embarking on a beautiful adventure with your favorite man, and I know that you know this is only the beginning of your a fabulous future. :)
ps: your cat names are absolutely insane, and I mean that in the best way...as in they're so creative and interesting!
it is so tough to leave behind something that has grown to be a little piece of you! and that is so normal, but it is still hard! i have no doubt, though, that when you arrive in Asia you will feel so exhilarated by making new memories & you still may miss Michigan a little....but soon Asia will become the new norm! :)
Goodbye's are definitely hard...what a blessing though that you both have such peace and certainty going to China is what you're to do. And all those memories are probably worth more than anything you could fit in your luggage:) safe travels to your new home and adventure!!
I can only imagine how it can be sad to leave a place that has so many memories attached to it. My husband and I are moving towards that journey this year. So with us moving and baby coming that is an adventure. I'm so glad that you are confident in where God is leading you and your husband. Here's to many more memories to be made and many adventures to be had!
Goodbyes are hard! I'm glad you're excited to get started on a new journey though…it'll be the experience of a lifetime.
Also, Angel's cats' names are hilarious.
Aw, I feel simultaneously sad and excited for you. I think no matter how much you love/despise living somewhere, goodbyes are always a mixture of feelings. I can say with 100% confidence that I will not miss living in Sitka (someday), but at the same time, I'm sure I'll be hit with a twinge of sadness knowing we're leaving the place we met, the place we got married, the place we bought our first house, etc. Adventures are so much fun and I know you guys are going to have such a blast, but it doesn't mean you're not allowed to miss the place where you built a life together!
I'm slightly sad for you guys; however as I was praying for you guys on my way to work today I began to get more excited about y'alls journey! I know it's not easy saying good-bye but wow, you guys are about to have a life changing experience and you get to do it TOGETHER! Not only that but I believe it will be blessed beyond measure because you are following God's plan for you life (not your own plan...) So what does the traveling schedule look like for the next few days?
Saying goodbye to a beloved home, even a place you are ready to leave, is never easy. God speed!
Aww that must be super hard.. I hope everything works out for the best and that things turn out beyond your wildest expectations.. Now can you tell me why all 9 of your cats are named after medications...? LoL.. Happy Hump Day and may you both have safe travels and endeavors! -Iva
Goodbyes are always hard. I cried a lot when we left for Italy and I was so excited to go. But once we got here I was immediately caught up in the grand adventure of it all. Safe travels!
Aww, I can imagine how hard it is to leave all those familiar places - sometimes excitement overwhelms us so much that we forget to be sad about things we've grown to love until they're no longer in our lives. You always leave a little bit of your heart wherever you live for any significant period of time - and pretty soon you'll have those fond feelings for your new home!
Have safe travels, and enjoy your adventures until we hear from you in China!
Aaaw, what a reflective and lovely little post! I'm so glad that you were able to have as many wonderful memories in this place as you were able to. Guess that means you'll just have to rival them in your next new place! ;) Cheers to more wonderful memories, my friend!
I think a little sad is healthy and you said it very well- that at least you know some good came of your time there. Hugs!
It's always sad to leave any home...
what a beautiful post. whenever i'm leaving somewhere special to me, i remind myself 'how lucky i am to have so many places that make saying goodbye so hard.' a winnie-the-pooh quote, but it always strikes me as accurate :)
Love this little walk down memory lane. I hope you enjoy your new home! I'm finally rejoining the blogosphere and excited about reconnecting! Stop by if you have a minute :)
Holly, www.curiousprinkles.com
...and are those really your cats' names?? Because those are the best pet names I've ever heard.
A bittersweet goodbye! Now on to the next exciting chapter!
Wow, I can't believe it's time to set out now! It was so interesting reading this because I wonder how I will feel if I ever leave Michigan... Anyway, isn't it weird how you can be so ready to go but then still feel a little bit of sadness even when it's over? All a part of transitioning... :) Excited for your new adventures, though!
"There are far, far better things ahead, than any we leave behind." -C.S. Lewis
You guys are in for one heck of an adventure, and I'm looking forward to following along!
How wonderful that you can both have such memories & begin this adventure together!
Best wishes on your new adventure! Are you and Angel moving indefinitely or for a selected amount of time?
Goodbyes are always hard. I didn't think I'd be sad to leave my small town but I was thinking about the other day and the tears started welling up in my eyes. OH man! Isn't it crazy how God blesses us so much in a place we never thought possible?
Saying goodbye is always tough! Even if you don't think it will be. Even if you don't think you have much of an attachment. You will do great in China! I am excited to read about all your adventures on the blog. :) The US will miss you though!
Goodbyes are hard for me. Even this goodbye brought tears to my eyes.
On a completely different note...the names of your cats. How have I not heard those before??
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