Thursday, July 2, 2015

The Adventure Begins

It's time.

Yesterday was my final day at work and as of today I'm an unemployed American leaving her family, home, city and life for a new one with new adventures in Memphis, Tennessee.

I've never moved more than 20 miles in my life and don't know what it really means to drive 2,400 miles over four days to a whole new world.

I really don't know what it means to not be able to see my parents whenever I want to, or my sisters, or my city. I really don't know what it means to have summer temperature lows of eighty degrees. I really don't know what it means to have to pump my own gas. I really don't know what it means to not have a job as an adult. I really don't know what it means to have sales tax, much less move to the state with the highest sales tax in the nation!?! I really don't know what it means to not have an endless variety of craft beers whenever I want, or have to somehow acquire a taste for Starbucks coffee rather than the local beans I've grown up with.

I really don't know, but I know I'm doing it with a guy who loves me unconditionally and have all of the faith in the world that this is going to be the greatest leap into the unknown that I've ever taken.

Thank you all for your love and support as I take on this epic adventure in my late twenties to follow my heart.

It's been impossible for my family to let their baby girl go, but they've done everything in their power to prepare me for this journey. They've given all their help packing, boxing, cleaning, donating, selling, decision-making and in a few sentimental cases storing my belongings. They are my biggest cheerleaders and I look forward to settling in and inviting them to consider a move to Memphis themselves!

It will break my heart today to drive away.

The hugs goodbye, the tears that will follow and the frantic waves that continue far past when my family is out of sight. Crossing the border out of Oregon will make it real, and the three cities we stop to rest will be reminders of how really real it is.

I'm sure you'll be able to catch us on Instagram!

God bless and see y'all soon!






15 comments

Kathy@MoreCoffeeLessTalky said...

good luck!! enjoy every moment and looking forward to your trip on IG.

ps - the sales tax - total bullshit but you get used to it. canada is one of the highest taxed countries in the world and we gripe about it but take it.

Katie Elizabeth said...

Thinking of you!! Good luck this weekend! xoxo

Helene in Between said...

I'm so excited for you. I know this will be an amazing journey and I'm excited that we are (semi) doing a big move together!

P!nky said...

Best wishes, beautiful! I'm so happy and excited for you! And STOKED you are so much closer to me!

Tracy said...

So excited for you to start this new adventure! It will be bittersweet to leave but you have so many good things waiting for you. Safe travels!

Anonymous said...

Without hardship, the good things in our lives wouldn't shine nearly as brightly as they do. You're making this move for the right reasons, and it being as hard as it is to leave just means you've had some wonderful things happen in your life. Time to welcome a new setting for all the new wonderful things that are doubtless coming. I can't wait to hear about your trip, your life in Memphis, and how amazing it feels to finally have your guy there whenever you want him. I'm so excited for you and so happy for you. Happy trails, my sweet friend. Drive safely!

Whitney Alison said...

Wow. Clearly I have been away from blog land for quite a while!

Congratulations and best wishes on this new adventure! I can't wait to read all about it.

MakeMeUpMia said...

So happy for you and I hope it's a super smooth transition, have a wonderful & safe trip!

Courtney@PancakesandSparkles said...

Good luck on your new adventure!Moving is always hard especially a big move but I am sure it'll be one of the greatest decisions you have ever made. Can't wait to hear more about your new home/homeland!

Sarah :: Plucky in Love said...

Ahhh. I am SO excited for you. Reminds me of one of my favorite quotes of all time... "All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another." ~ Anatole France
It will all work out and you are one of the brave souls for taking this chance! Many people never get up the guts to do such a thing. No matter what, you will never ever forget this. That alone makes it something worth doing in my book. :)

Also, you'll be so much closer! Blate soon?!

Kristen @ See You In A Porridge said...

so excited for you love. hope it's amazing and fabulous with only a dash of scary. good luck!

Kay R. said...

Very excited for you!!! All the best on this new journey. You will have a blast and hey seeing your family will now mean epic family vacations. Glass half full!

Kenzie Smith said...

I am beyond thrilled for you! Following your heart can be one of the easiest yet hardest things to do, especially when it requires you to leave everything you know on the other side of the country. I cannot wait to hear more about this adventure ♥

Jess said...

I had to figure out that summer temperature thing you wrote, because I'm from the south and that sounds like a lovely day to me lol. Good luck, you'll do great!!

Myra said...

Oh girl, I feel you. Especially the hugs goodbye, the frantic waving and in my case, the inevitable tears, that come streaming down my face every time I drive away from my family when we are returning overseas. Just remember FaceTime is a genius way of talking to the family and keeping up with everyone back home.

Enjoy every moment of your trip to Memphis and then soak up all the fun it has to offer! You'll figure out all the rest day by day ;) Congratulations again on your big adventure! XO