I know I normally stick to home projects or DIY's but my mind seems to be elsewhere, so why not write about it?
Six years ago today we got up at the crack of dawn, had breakfast with family, then hopped in our moving truck and headed to Minneapolis to start a new part of our lives. I never really forget the day because today is my mom's birthday (Happy Birthday Moo from Boo)! I know six years isn't a milestone per say, but it's made me think a lot about our "relocation".
Looking back, when we left Michigan I don't think either one of us thought "oh, we'll be in Minneapolis forever"... maybe we'd move back to Michigan someday? In the back of my mind I guess I thought we'd be here for three or at most five years. I don't think anyone dreams of living in Minneapolis (especially with this frigid spring weather). The funny thing is after six years, I'm not sure which place would feel more like home now. We have friends here, favorite restaurants & shops, events we look forward to, great neighbors, jobs we love, and a house that has become the home we love.
I'm so thankful for all the wonderful blessings Alex and I have because of moving to Minneapolis, and I feel proud of the life we've built together here. But still, birthdays, holidays, marriages, births, pregnancies, anniversaries, (any celebration really), or even plain-ol days, there are times that I wish I could be closer to the people I love the most.
I still feel a little bummed when I call my sister, mom, or dad and hear them say "we're having dinner over at so-and-so's house", knowing that I can't join them... Or only seeing my niece and nephew through Facetime. I love our family and I miss them a lot. Maybe this all came about because it's my mom's birthday, or my sister-in-law just found she's having a baby boy (Henri's getting a little brother!), or that my niece Brynnan just turned eight months old and I've only seen her in person once. I guess I feel guilty for not being there as often as I'd like to be there.
Sure, Michigan is only nine hours away which isn't that bad, and I'm thankful for that. But sometimes I can't help but wonder how different it'd be if we moved back. Where would we live, where would we work? What would I be doing today or this weekend? I know if I were there today I'd be with my mom watching the Golden Girls while sharing a giant box of Whitman chocolates (she always used to get them on her birthday and lucky for me she'd share).
Anyway, I hope this post wasn't depressing to read but I find blogging to be kind of therapeutic since you get your thoughts and feelings straight as you write. Like I've said, Minneapolis has become more home to us after six years and we've found a lot of happiness here but some things & people can't be replaced when relocating. Maybe some of you can relate to these relocation feelings? I guess I hope there's some of you out there :)
Before I go, just in case (Mom or Holly, I know you are wondering)- no plans to move back to Michigan... still. However, on a positive note I can't wait to visit with family over Easter! I can't wait to be with the people I love and miss!
Six years ago today we got up at the crack of dawn, had breakfast with family, then hopped in our moving truck and headed to Minneapolis to start a new part of our lives. I never really forget the day because today is my mom's birthday (Happy Birthday Moo from Boo)! I know six years isn't a milestone per say, but it's made me think a lot about our "relocation".
Looking back, when we left Michigan I don't think either one of us thought "oh, we'll be in Minneapolis forever"... maybe we'd move back to Michigan someday? In the back of my mind I guess I thought we'd be here for three or at most five years. I don't think anyone dreams of living in Minneapolis (especially with this frigid spring weather). The funny thing is after six years, I'm not sure which place would feel more like home now. We have friends here, favorite restaurants & shops, events we look forward to, great neighbors, jobs we love, and a house that has become the home we love.
 |
| Alex and I in May 2007 by the Minneapolis Spoonbridge and Cherry |
I still feel a little bummed when I call my sister, mom, or dad and hear them say "we're having dinner over at so-and-so's house", knowing that I can't join them... Or only seeing my niece and nephew through Facetime. I love our family and I miss them a lot. Maybe this all came about because it's my mom's birthday, or my sister-in-law just found she's having a baby boy (Henri's getting a little brother!), or that my niece Brynnan just turned eight months old and I've only seen her in person once. I guess I feel guilty for not being there as often as I'd like to be there.
Sure, Michigan is only nine hours away which isn't that bad, and I'm thankful for that. But sometimes I can't help but wonder how different it'd be if we moved back. Where would we live, where would we work? What would I be doing today or this weekend? I know if I were there today I'd be with my mom watching the Golden Girls while sharing a giant box of Whitman chocolates (she always used to get them on her birthday and lucky for me she'd share).
Anyway, I hope this post wasn't depressing to read but I find blogging to be kind of therapeutic since you get your thoughts and feelings straight as you write. Like I've said, Minneapolis has become more home to us after six years and we've found a lot of happiness here but some things & people can't be replaced when relocating. Maybe some of you can relate to these relocation feelings? I guess I hope there's some of you out there :)
Before I go, just in case (Mom or Holly, I know you are wondering)- no plans to move back to Michigan... still. However, on a positive note I can't wait to visit with family over Easter! I can't wait to be with the people I love and miss!
Posts
First of all, hugs to you. It's tough being away from family. I have always been within a few hours' drive from my own family, so in a way, I can't relate, but I can imagine it would be rough. My husband is a world away (literally) from his family and when we travel to see his family, I know he has a wistfulness for home. But he has been gone too long - and here too long - to go back. It isn't the same place as where he left, if that makes sense? He's been gone a long while, though - almost 17 years - and has an American son (and wife!) who wouldn't be able to adjust as well. :) Anyway. It's nice to see posts like this from you - hopefully you can enjoy your time at Easter. Hugs, again.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the sweet words and I'm glad you enjoyed the post :) I am sure we will enjoy Easter, my bag is already packed!
DeleteInteresting. My friend & I had this SAME conversation last night at dinner at HER Birthday celebration. About her being closer to family and maybe moving back home to Canada!
ReplyDeleteLOVE your blog!
Montana
Funny! Glad you stop by and love the blog too!
DeleteCarla - your post hits true for my husband and I too. We often think of moving back to MI or even as close as Chicago. Family get togethers aren't the same from here (PacNW). We moved here with the intention of moving back... and almost seven years later... we're still here. There must be a reason, right? I too keep myself busy with DIY stuff, but haven't been brave enough to let ye ol' blog go public. Thanks for sharing the softer side of you and Alex's life. From some one who reads / checks your blog every day, it's nice to hear I'm not alone in thinking... WHAT IF? (instead of AS IF!)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment :) I guess I too think there is a reason we're here and I guess I get little reminders or reasons each day that keep me here. I figure if it didn't feel right we would have known and made a change, but we just keep going day by day and things still feel right. You are totally right about keeping busy with DIY stuff, I guess I am thankful I found this blog as my hobby because it has helped bring me a lot of happiness. Even though blogging can't replace being with family it does help a lot, even nice that it connects me with people here. Based on my experience, you should let your blog go public! It might become something totally new or you might meet some new people from it, I know I did! Anyway, thank you again for commenting, it was so nice to read comments about this post just to know I am not alone in the way I feel. Thanks for reading our blog too, thinking I might have to be more open when I write if I feel the urge instead of always sticking to the house and DIY's, felt really good!
DeleteHugs to you - I know exactly how you feel. Except that when I moved I kinda knew I wouldn't move back. But when my parents retired and moved even further away, it pretty much sealed the deal that we wouldn't be moving back to Nebraska (Colorado is SO much better than Nebraska!)
ReplyDeleteBut every holiday, every special event just feels empty without family. I will say though that I think the distance has made my relationship with my mom a lot stronger. We talk every day even if it's just to see what she's making for dinner!
Thanks for the comment and virtual hugs :)holidays are indeed tough, especially when we call home and hear everyone all together... kind of feels like everyone is at a party that you weren't invited to, LOL! At least we've been trying to make our own holiday traditions if we can't be with family, that helps a lot too!
DeleteI realize this was a few weeks ago but this topic is one close to home for me...when I left my family to come to college I never realized I'd never move back. Now, 7 years later, I see them maybe once a year since plane tickets are pricey. My sister's only two years younger than me and she's graduating college and it kills me not to be there and hanging out with her. My husband doesn't live near his family either, in face they're as far away geographically from MY family as you probably can get in the US, and I just feel like we're missing so much, but I don't know what the solution is, since as you said, our lives and jobs are where we are now! Thank you for posting this - I don't know what the solution is but it's comforting to know that I'm not alone in my predicament!
ReplyDelete