I haven’t been around much lately, have I? I have a good reason. Really, I do. We sold our Fort Worth home and are moving. Right away. Seems like it’s coming out of left field, doesn’t it? I promise you, it’s not. This move has been in the works for months now. The only reason I haven’t yet shared it with you? I am very superstitious. And overly cautious.
Last August, we took a family trip to one of our favorite places, a lovely and quaint little ski town in the mountains of the West. And we fell in love. With a house. But more than just a house, we also fell in love with a neighborhood and a community and a lifestyle and it just all felt so right. For the first time since we married and left the East Coast, it felt like we’d found our home.
My husband and I are very fortunate in that we’ve always had one common view of how we’d like to raise our family. It has to do with the things that we love… the outdoors, winter sports, summer hikes and mountain biking. Rafting. Mountains. Snow. Lots of snow. We’re talking record snowfall this year alone in our new hometown. And while most people are thinking of fleeing that record snow, we are aching to get to it.
So after four months of negotiation, we finally sealed the deal and bought our dream house. And faced with a double mortgage, we got our Fort Worth home on the market quickly, right before Christmas. And it sold, right after Christmas. And everything was just coming together so perfectly. But again, I’m a firm believer, from my own personal experience, that the more I talk about something I really want, the more obstacles I am going to face in reaching my goal. And that is why this news seems so sudden.
So on Saturday, with my husband in LA, the packers came to our home and packed up our lives. And then on Monday, my husband finally home, the movers came and loaded up our lives onto the largest moving truck I’ve ever seen and started their long drive West. And us? We started the 30-minute drive to Dallas, to my in-laws’, which is where we spent the week. Well, it’s where I spent the week, with the 2 girls, 2 cats and our dog. Because my husband was off to Miami. And while I am grateful that they took us in, I’m not going to say it was easy. It wasn’t. It was brutal, to be honest. To be without our things, off of our schedule, well, it was exhausting.
And so my husband came home on Sunday, we loaded up his Land Cruiser with all of the above and headed out for the long drive to our new home. Tonight, I am writing this entry from a hotel room in Denver. I have a massive altitude headache, haven’t slept in quite literally one week and have zero patience left. And yet, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. We are, as a family, embarking on a new adventure, a new journey, and I’m so excited to see how the path before us unfolds.
Now if I can just figure out how to make these Sorel boots look chic…
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Sorry for the delay, but CONGRATULATIONS!!! You are, seriously, my hero. I wish I had the guts to pick up and move out West. I’ve been an east-coast girl my whole life, but dream of somewhere with lots of nature, safety and a place to give Bear a wholesome All-American childhood. You are so brave!!
Oh My Goodness Melissa! I have been out of commission with the flu for several days and just had to backtrack to this post to catch up on things. I am so thrilled for you! We are east coasters trying to move west too. We keep getting delayed with pregnancies…currently expecting baby #2 in about 5 weeks.
I used to live in Aspen and I promise you won’t have a problem making your Sorel’s look cool, because EVERYONE else will be wearing them too and only the people not wearing them will be looking uncool.
Enjoy your new adventure, can’t wait to hear all about it and see pictures of your new view!
It takes a lot to just up and move across country like that. Kudos to you on that one. Didn’t see mention of it, but I assume that employment for your husband is either flexible or things there are lined up as well.
Congratulations!! What an exciting adventure! Cheers to you from one Colorado girl to another!
You were in Ft. Worth? OMG, we were practically neighbors!!
Good luck in your new home. It sounds very exciting!!!!!!
Your new home sounds incredible! I have never been out west, but I am sure I would love it. We are also very much outdoorsy people and am sure we would go crazy with all the cool stuff to do. If it wasn’t for the fact that all our families are out here in the east, I would seriously consider it. Don’t think I could stand being that far away for long.
Good luck with everything. I wish we could see pics of your view. It sounds unbelievable!.
Oh my freaking goodness! You are so close to me right now! We spend lots of time in a cute little ski town in the mountains, so you’ll have to let me know when you get all settled.
How cool! Congratualtions. Best of luck during a crazy but exciting time!
Congrats on your new home. Transitions are stressful but it sounds like you are on an exciting new adventure! So glad we get to go along for the ride.
Congratulations! As a veteran cross-country mover I heartily congratulate you on such a life-changing decision. I understand where you’re coming from about keeping things quiet. I’m finally learning that the more I talk about things in my life, the less they take the direction I’ve hoped they would. Life seems to have a propensity for shaking things up. I hope it all goes well for you and your family! I’d happily send you our snow to enjoy also!
I do admire someone who can keep a secret. I can too but it costs me like you cannot believe. I literally age. Anyway, how utterly wonderful for you and your family. I’m so glad things have coalesced so well. I’ve always believed that when something is meant to be, things come together naturally but that’s because, like you, I am superstitious about certain things and also because I am a firm believer in fate and serendipity. You will make a fantastic new life for yourself and the family in your new home. I feel kind of sorry though. You seemed closer by being a literal stones’ throw away within the same state and now, just as I’ve found you, that is no longer the case. Shall have to reorient myself mentally as to your new location and build a link there. Good luck and Godspeed to your final destination. Can’t wait to hear all the forthcoming news.
WOW – congratulations on the new home and on surviving the move. I’m shocked you could hold it in too! Good luck getting settled and may your new home bring you many joys.
Congratulations… wow, how did you hold that in, for so long? I can’t keep a secret to save my life, at least not my own! I’m so happy for you, everything seems to be falling into place. It’s great that the two of you have a shared dream about where you want to live and raise your girls and how lucky you are that it’s all coming true. I’m assuming Denver will be your new home… and if so, maybe we can meet up one of these days. My in-laws are there and we visit atleast every three months… as soon as you get rid of that headache, you need to make it out to Cherry Creek… superb shopping! Can’t wait to hear about your new beginning… and good luck with the move.
I’m really curious about your new home town. It sounds perfect, exactally what I envision too. Maybe you’ll bring it up later or maybe you’ll keep it a secret but please tell us…..
I’m dying to know. Congratulations on your dream house and town and good luck on your new adventure. You are in my town currently! We should of had your family over!
Melissa, I am so excited for you guys!! I’m also relieved that you have made it to Denver! May the remainder of your travels be smooth. May you find some sleep soon. AND drink LOTS of water to get rid of that altitude headache. I can’t wait to hear about your adventures….
Wow! Remind me, if I ever need someone to keep a secret, to share that secret with you. You’re like Fort Knox, babe!
Congratulations. On everything – the dream home, the quick sale of your home, the move, the new beginning… Congratulations on it all. It sounds amazing. We look forward to hearing about every minute.
Good luck with your move!
PS – You do realize that you now live nearer to your Canadian self?? Come on up and visit!
What a good feeling. Moving into the dream house and settling down. How I look forward to that day! Of course, having grown up mostly in Arizona and now living in Utah, my dream involves no snow.
Happy for you though!
Congrats! We have desperately been trying to move from Wisconsin to Colorado for a year now. The job hunt has been slow for my husband & the housing market here is crashing. Our family is there & we are stuck here. I am jealous (in the good sense) that you have the ability. We found it all as wonderful as you described. The lifestyle & people are what I want for my daughter as well. We love to hike, bike, etc. We go kayaking & camping & hiking & mountain biking (my husband more then me) and the west is perfect for us. Enjoy & have fun unpacking!
Congratulations!!! I’m so excited for you, it sounds like what we’ve been through this year. And although we have gotten record snowfall here as well, I have not minded at all and have been enjoying playing in it with the girls. It’s amazing how when it is about giving your children a better home in a place that you as a mom are happier, how everything seems easier.
Congrats to you and your family! What a fun and exciting new adventure it will be ( :
We moved out West 3 years ago to a wonderful town full of just the things you mentioned and had record snowfall here, too, this year! I wonder. . . might we be neighbors soon?
The move was hard on me initially, because we left ALL our family back east. . . but I have grown to love it over time and appreciate all the new and fun things we’ve been able to do as a family.
May your new home be filled with great memories yet to be made!
Drive thru my town tomorrow and let’s have coffee!!! Pleasepleaseplease?? It’s on your way….