See You Later, North Carolina

It was an extremely emotional week or two. First, the ladies had been at camp. While I’m so glad they didn’t must be dragged via all of the packing and shifting, I actually began to overlook them a lot the previous couple of days of the 12 they spent away and selecting them up from camp was a joyous reunion for all of us! There had been tears, hugs, excited tales to share, bunks to point out off, drained eyes, and deep coughs to convey house as souvenirs.

We spent our final night time on air mattresses, then woke as much as furiously pack up the ultimate objects, which in fact ended up being greater than we anticipated. Somehow we bought it accomplished although and made it to Charlotte to signal the official papers.

We confirmed up at my mother’s home in Georgia Friday night time, emotionally, bodily, and mentally exhausted. I really felt like David and I barely dragged ourselves over the end line. But we did it! Now we’re going to spend just a few weeks with my mother so David can get his ft beneath him with this new job and the ladies and I can start our homeschool 12 months (so excited!).

But earlier than we transfer absolutely into our new chapter, just a few ideas on our Lake Norman house…

This was the home David and I constructed our lives in collectively. Moving in simply shy of our one 12 months marriage ceremony anniversary, we ate pizza and drank champagne on the dock the night time we closed. We talked about what the subsequent stage may need in retailer for us, moved in with no furnishings past a large bean bag, and instantly went to work ripping up the tile and carpet flooring with our personal two arms.

Over the subsequent few years I’d step again from being a well being coach to reside my dream of being a keep at house mother and construct a group of associates right here on-line. We introduced each our child ladies house to this home. I’ll keep in mind the enormous swing David finagled hanging from the balcony to swing the ladies as infants. I’ll keep in mind the peeks over the balcony to see the Christmas tree or to attempt to spy on what David and I had been watching after their bedtimes.

I’ll keep in mind the years of Christmas events we threw and welcomed associates into our house to chortle, be foolish, and have a good time the season. I’ll keep in mind household film nights, sofa snuggles, at house cooking date nights, watching storms on the screened porch, the youngsters leaping off the dock, the enormous swing between two yard timber, internet hosting my household at Christmas and all pitching crowded into the kitchen to brighten cookies and prepare dinner scrumptious meals, yard bonfires, July 4th lake days, yard birthday events, and so many extra great recollections.

To ease our hearts, we walked round the home, speaking concerning the recollections. We thanked this home for being so good to us, for preserving us protected, and for offering the backdrop of so many glad instances for our household. Once the home was fully empty and we had been about to hop within the automotive, we gathered in the lounge and I stated a prayer via alligator tears. I prayed in gratitude for the years in the home and stated a prayer for the brand new household that can transfer in, make it their very own (they’re taking out the columns as their first mission!), and make their very own joyous recollections.

Ultimately although, my coronary heart doesn’t reside in a bodily location; it’s the place my persons are. While we’ll miss this home, our neighborhood, and our great associates, I’m additionally actually wanting ahead to our new chapter.

I’m happy with my household this 12 months. It’s been greater than we anticipated between the renovations, the itemizing prep, the showings, and the shifting. In the midst of that, David was promoted and began a brand new job. The ladies and I ready ourselves emotionally to not return to our beloved co-op and not reside down the road from associates we love.

In a manner, it’s been over 6 months of feeling uprooted and in transition. But we’ve accomplished it, leaning on one another alongside the best way and now now we have SO a lot forward of us. We are all wanting ahead to shifting into our new house, placing our private touches in each nook, and eventually feeling settled.

In a manner it has appeared like a drawn out goodbye, and I’m prepared. And actually, for the issues I care most about (folks, at all times folks), it’s not goodbye, it’s merely so long. I’m grateful to reside in a time when it’s simpler to remain related and go to.

Thank you, North Carolina. You’ve been such a particular chapter of our lives. Onward. 💜