Last July 10th, I closed on our first home. My mom and I packed a kid and a dog in the van, left Ryan for a month and headed to Missouri. I cried for a long part of the ride after saying goodbye to so many friends and memories that we created in our 5 years there. I can't believe a year has already passed. Just like life, sometimes it feels like we just got here, and other times it feels like this is the only place we've been.
Since last July, we added Jacob to our family. Which makes me realize that soon he will be a year old as well. Natalie has grown and changed. We replaced the siding and windows on the house, painted the inside, solved a water problem, and countless other tasks. My buisness has taken off and Ryan has fallen into place at his job. We've made several good friends, found activites around town, and adjusted to small town life.
To my "Virginia" friends, even though lots of you have moved to new homes as well. I was a teacher with you. I became a mom with you. Ryan and I learned how to make our own friends together there. I started to grow up with you. Some of you I talk to a lot, some of you I should talk to more often. I miss you guys. I miss the comfortable routines we had. I miss the Y, Water Country, Busch Gardens and breakfast-turned into lunch-into dinner playdates. I am sad to see everyones updates sometimes and see myself missing from them. Part of me feels replaced, but that's the way it should be. I hope for visits, vacations, and staying in touch! Maybe even making deeper friendships over time!
It was very hard to leave everyone behind there, even though we knew God was sending us on this new journey. It has been good for us to be closer to family, out of active duty stress, and slowing down our pace. Ryan got a job that wasn't really supposed to be advertised outside of people in the guard, his 'opponent' was dq'd from the application process, and many other reasons we knew God wanted us here.
To my "Missouri" friends. I am surprised how easily I have fit in, especially in a town where most everyone grew up together, or knows that so and so's sister is their best friends brother-in-law. Never once have I felt left out. I'm not in the 'comfortable' stage yet with everyone, where I can just drop by unannouced and lay around on your couch when I'm having a bad day. But, I'm getting there. And I really am enjoying my life here.
The days are slow, but the years are fast. This is the lesson I'm learning as I think about this past year.
6 comments:
It is amazing the difference a year can make! I know you are still missed here very much. But I am so happy that you have settled in and are doing so well there. I don't think you are ever replaced...people just find new ways to spend time, but you are always in their hearts.
so right about the slow days and fast years. i can't believe that it was only a year ago that we were painting that red kitchen (among other things)! i admire the way you just throw yourself out there and have managed to create a strong bond with your new midwestern home. and we are thrilled to have you a bit closer, even if it's still hard to travel the distance as often as we would like.
very well said Kim. Miss you and think of you often ((HUGS))
P.S. I also miss the breakfast playdates, turned lunch playdates as well as unannounced visits--sometimes those are the best!
I miss you.
I wish we could keep all of our friends close, always, but know we grow b/c of the changes daily live brings. Love you.
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