One Year Later

It’s been one year to the day since we shuttled 5 suitcases, 2 backpacks, 1 carry-on, and a dog to the Ramstein airport, saying goodbye to the country we’d called home for the last 3.5 years.

Tears streamed as we said goodbye to friends and coworkers who had become family, and a bittersweet calm settled over me as we took off and the base slowly disappeared behind us. So much to look forward to. So much we’ll miss.

Thinking back on that day, it feels both like it was only just yesterday, and like it was a lifetime ago. So much has changed in one year. Leaving, we had no idea just how much our lives were about to change.

Since then, we’ve taken leaps of faith, we’ve met new friends, we’ve grown as a family, we’ve started new careers and dived into school. We’ve learned that new adventures wait around every corner, whether we are a young, newly married couple travelling Europe, or settling into family life with a brand new baby. We thrive on these adventures.

Every now and then I find myself daydreaming about being back in Germany. Reliving our long walks through open fields and villages. Having one (or two) too many drinks at fests, and spending late nights and holidays with incredible friends. Bundled up at Christmas markets with a brand new german shepherd puppy in one arm, hot spiced wine in the other hand. These are the moments that consumed us, these are the adventures we will forever hold in our hearts.

As we continue this journey, we don’t know where we’ll be next year at this time, and I love that. We’ll follow this road wherever it takes us, through the ups and the downs, and we’ll hold on to each other tight as we navigate this life.

Each year seems to go more quickly than the last. This year as the leaves begin to change and the air becomes more crisp, we’ll be grateful for where we’ve been, and look forward to where we’re headed.