5 years ago, Neil and I were playing volleyball at a bar league in La Crosse and I asked him to play on our team. CRAZY! In those 5 years, he finished his degrees, I got my insurance license, he was offered a job in Chapel Hill, NC, I decided to move with him, he asked me to marry him, I said yes, my mom and I planned a wedding, we got married, and we're now about to have a child! We've lived in 3 different cities in NC, I've had two different jobs in NC, and Neil's had...well... more than that.
We've made some great friends, seen some amazing things, traveled...A LOT, and really made a life for ourselves out here. Going home a couple weeks ago, I really realized what we are taking away from our family. We both feel really sad for our families to have their children, and more so their grandchild so far away from them. And both of our parents are young with a lot of years of full time employment in front of them. We're always asked if we think we'll move back to Wisconsin/Minnesota. We ask each other this same question very frequently. We have yet to say "yes". I hate to disappoint our family, but it's really amazing here. It seems selfish because it kinda is. I'll be the first to admit. If we were to move back, the sole purpose would be to make our family happy, and that can't be the only reason. I'm looking forward to raising our children here. The southern hospitality lives up to its reputation. People are so kind here and would really do about anything for a complete stranger. Our church has been in the process for some years now of getting a school started. I would LOVE it if they could get one going by the time our little one is ready for school, as Neil and I both went to parochial schools and really feel the education is exceptional!
Obviously we would LOVE to be closer to family! This last trip home really made my heart break when my mom gave us books on tape read by her for our baby. I have such a close relationship with my grandparents due to our closeness in proximity for the first years of my life. I LIVED with my grandparents until age 7 or 8. I can't imagine my child not having that same relationship with my parents or Neil's parents. We can just hope that my flight benefits can make it easier for them to get down here for a weekend here and there. Especially for birthdays and baptisms and the such. It will be tough, but I really hope he can know them well and love them as much as we do!
As they say, time flies when you're having fun!! You've had quite the past few years-both terrifying and exciting. And trust me, I feel your pain in terms of being away from family. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't have the same thoughts and same rational. There are two positives. One, you have your flight benefits which make it a lot easier and two, sometimes life has less drama with family so far away. You spend so much time missing each other that you don't get annoyed or upset with each other nearly as often. So, you have that going for you. Anyway, I know I'm not "family" but I can bring you a little piece of home. So, let me know when you are feeling homesick & I'll make the trip! Love you two (and the third one about to come!)
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