Since I came back from Florida I've had some serious, "What have we done?" moments (don't freak out, we're not planning on moving). When we left we'd been married less than a year, we'd only been out of college for a little over a year, we only had Amanda, who was well past the "little person that needs constant care" stage, I wasn't close to Trav's parents and neither was Amanda, Chloe and Halle didn't exist, and we were definitely in the "world is our oyster" frame of mind. Life was still an adventure waiting and the thought of leaving family, while we were sad, wasn't something that was going to stop us from doing what God told us to do (not that it would now).
I never grew up near my grandparents or aunts and uncles. My grandparents lived 10 and 24 hours away and we saw them once a year. I never talked to them on the phone and aside from the occasional present I had no interaction with them and therefore very little relationship. I don't know why it was that way. But Travis' family is completely opposite. They get together, they call each other, they send cards, their feelings get hurt if you don't do all of the above and it was very difficult for me to understand when we got married. My family lived very isolated with few, if any, real friends. People came and went out of our lives and it really didn't seem to matter to my parents. But I have changed a lot since we've gotten married. The thought of living an isolated life like I did before seems crazy- although my circle of friends hasn't grown much in the last several years. Anyway, my "what have we done" moment came after spending time with Travis' parents and seeing the amazing bond that Chloe has with her Grandma. Really, those to are like twins separated at birth by quite a few years. They both love to bake, scrapbook, pink, butterflies, and their family. I just hate it that they have to be apart. And little Halle is Grandpa's girl! She 'd yell "Gwandpa!" every time they were separated for a bit and came back together. Of course, I don't want to minimize the fact that my parents are close by and the girls have a relationship with each of them as well- only it's the opposite. Halle is Nanni's girl and Chloe loves nothing better than to go golfing with Poppi. I think it's because of the sand traps. Then there are Trav's brothers who are so close...I've had a tough time with this recently if you can't tell. It's not like I want to live in Florida, I feel more at home here than I ever have anywhere else. I like the quality of life here. There are things I miss about Florida- a lot- but I love living here. I don't have an answer for any of this except that we live here and our life is here and theirs is there and occasionally our lives intersect so we can visit and catch up. It just feels like were missing so much....Oh, and Shane and Angie are expecting again! I do have a hair brained scheme to get to move here but my schemes rarely work :) Actually, I think we've tried to get every one of our family members here, to no avail.
But you ladies that read my blog faithfully have to know what I'm talking about. It can't be just me, can it?
9 comments:
No...we've been trying to get Shane and Angie to move here for years too. :)
Actually, it's that way every time I visit Florida or Michigan. I think about buying a second home in the area so we could at least spend more time there. I know we won't move to either place but wouldn't it be nice to at least feel more like we're a part of all the fun? I can't keep up with all the changes that happen in my huge family up north and I feel like the boys miss out on so much Grandma, Granddaddy and Grandpa time. Yes...we need to move the whole kit and caboodle to Tennessee.
I'm glad to know it's not just me. Every time we visit Lakeland I think about buying a house there. It's beautiful and all our family is there. But then I get a knot in my stomach at the thought of living there. I have a love/hate relationship with the place. I felt so confined there and miserable. But then I get a knot in my stomach over the grandma and grandpa, aunts and uncles and cousins thing. Oh, and my parents are talking about moving back there too. But I guess that would be a good thing because we could just see them all at once when we visit.
Ok, I've got tears....I feel like Sally Field "You like me, you really like me!" Actually, we aren't so bad once you get to know us.....we do hug a lot "Hugs are better than drugs!" And we would rather be with our kids and grandkids than anybody (even Brad Pitt--tee hee)........Maybe distance makes us all appreciate the precious time we do have together......I know I adored my grandparents, I just never realized that they wouldn't be around forever.......Anyway, I LOVE being a grandma...it really is a blessing from the Lord.
Well, your grandgirls are quite crazy about you as well. Halle actually asked to go to the beach two days ago. She said "we need to go to da beach. We need to get Gwandpa, we need to get Gwandma!". So sweet!
No its not just you...... I feel the same way... Our situations are so similar its unbelievable! I am so glad that we have remained friends over the _ number of years (numbers are not important cause that means we are older than what I like to really know LOL). I miss my family like mad and feel like I am missing out and so are the kids just like you do. Home is where your kids and husband are! Just like Kris and I! You and I are very independant and always have been. I love Florida too but would pull all my teeth out if I was forced to move back to the Central area. We are going to retire about an hour from Tallahassee and its small, a wal-mart, a Food Lion and a few other tiny stores. I like the relaxed leasure of living up North. Oh! and your mom made my day when she visited us at my grandpa's funeral. It made my heart smile. Its hard putting on a front in strangers but when she hugged me I about broke cause she knows me like my own mother knows me.... Love you guys and crap this is long! LOL Smooches!
Well you don't have to say how old we are now but we met when we were 6! Yikes! I think the only people that I've known longer than that and still talk to is my family.
I know what you mean about central FL, I just have so many memories there- some good and some really, really bad. I love it here though and feel at home. I guess my heart will always be torn between where I love to live and where our family is- sigh.
Oh, and I am so glad that my Mom went to the viewing. I knew it would mean a lot to you so I asked her to go and give you a hug for me. I'm really glad she could be there since I couldn't. I love you!!!
I love you 2! (My blood sista) LOL do you remember that? heehee You, Me & Jon! LOL we were so goofy!
Um, yeah. I don't remember whose idea it was though. What I remember very clearly was that I was a huge wimp that couldn't work up the nerve to stick myself with a pin :)
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