Once upon a time, we packed everything we owned in a U-haul and moved across the country. After several months of searching, we purchased our first house. It wasn’t in the best area…wasn’t updated…but it was affordable, and we were bound and determined to make it our home. I’m happy to report that after completely remodeling and updating that house, it truly felt like home.
But as much as it was home, it was time to move on.
A couple months ago we packed up 2 suitcases a piece and made our way to Arizona leaving everything behind in our house, everything in it’s place. I didn’t say goodbye to friends and I didn’t say goodbye to our house because I knew once we sold the house that I would have to come back. I didn’t know how long that would be, but it was somewhat reassuring knowing I had some time. I hate being rushed.
Not too many weeks ago it became apparent that selling our house was a very near possibility. Our inspection needed to work out and the appraisal needed to come through. In the meanwhile we scheduled our moving company. Fortunately, we were able to have a company come in and pack and disassemble everything, as well as move it and put it into storage for us. I just had to fly out and sort out some long term/short term storage and supervise the packing.
The thought made me anxious and nervous. So much so, that just the day before I was to fly out, Steve asked me about the trip and what I was looking forward to and what I wasn’t. The tears filled my eyes as I explained that I didn’t want to see our house empty. (I blame half the emotion on pregnancy, but the other half was real!) Call me sentimental, but I had a hard time when we left our place in Rexburg 5 years ago. The only difference was that Steve was right beside me, holding my hand with tears in his eyes as well.
I flew in Saturday night and made the decision to stay in our house, in my own bed, with my own pillow for two nights before the movers came and disrupted my stay. It was weird walking back into a perfectly clean and orderly home that still smelled like ours. It had been months but still felt like home.
I worked through many boxes in our storage area trying to locate things that we needed or might need in the next three months with the baby coming and I started making piles that would be delivered to our current house. We were informed that we needed to dig out both our trampoline and play dome or else they wouldn’t be coming with us.
So I trudged out into 2 feet of snow and started digging. In hindsight, probably not something a pregnant lady should be taking on, but Steve made it very clear we would not be buying another trampoline if this one didn’t make the move. That was motivation for me to withstand the snow and cold temps and I accomplished my mission!
I spent Sunday evening with some friends watching the Green Bay Packers take home the title of Super Bowl Champs which was a sweet victory for my last hoorah in Wisconsin.
Monday morning, three movers showed up. It was a cold day. Miserably cold. In fact the three days they worked on our house were some of the coldest days year to date.
Immediately, the house was chaotic and messy. But they worked efficiently as they emptied every drawer, cupboard and storage space. What would’ve taken me weeks to accomplish they were able to get done in a day and a half. I was more than grateful.
It was then tagged and moved to the truck, which took another day and a half. The beds were taken apart, the shelving units disassembled. They did it all.
As they drove away from our home at 6 on Wednesday night I was slightly overwhelmed. Had they remembered everything? Would it all arrive in Arizona? How much of it would be damaged? Would they keep straight all the things that needed to go to our temporary residence? They weren’t gone 15 minutes when I realized they failed to grab two boxes. I chased the truck down to ensure they made the journey across country with all our other things.
I then scurried around cleaning. The fridge, stove, microwave, all the floors (which had been thrashed because of the snow that was tracked in), baseboards. It felt good to have peace and quiet with a little Pandora music playing in the background.
And as much as I would’ve loved to have spent more time with friends during my brief visit, I was kept more than busy with the house. Luckily, I spent some time Wednesday night with a group of girls. We ate. We talked. We laughed. It made me realize how blessed I’ve been to have such great friends.
Before my departure on Thursday morning, I made one last trip to the house. I made a video tour of our empty house for Steve and I walked in and out of each room one more time. I was amazed to see how much had changed in the years since we first walked through it. A lot of time. Money. Labor. Frustration. Love. Personality. It told a story of who we are and what we liked.
It was not as hard as I imagined it would be.
Making my way back to the living room, one of my most favorite songs came on the Pandora station I was listening to. A song I had listened to so many times in that house. And then it hit. I slouched against the wall and cried. And cried.
I cried, not because we were leaving because I know there will be another home, but I cried out of gratitude. This home meant so much to me, and it served its purpose while living there and I was so grateful for that. Grateful for all we had learned and for all the memories that were created in that home. It will always hold a special place in my heart.
I walked out and locked the door one last time.
Yet another chapter that has closed in our lives.
Seeing all that snow, and knowing I was headed to warmer weather made it just a little bit easier!!
You definitely made that home SO much more beautiful than when you first bought it. You are a talented girl and I can't wait to see what a future home has in store for you and your projects. It is hard leaving behind a "chapter" of your life. But, what great blessings and memories you now have thanks to the blissfully miserable Milwaukee…
Wow. So cool to see the before and after photo's from your house. So much more fun remembering our short time there when we visited you guys. I'm thrilled you are so close to us now! One day…. we will plan a time to catch up and see you guys.
I can't wait to join you in Arizona…someday! Loved the before and after pictures. I need to take more of those.
That was such a bittersweet post. It's hard to leave so much behind, but it's also exciting to enter new chapters. I can't wait to see your house in Arizona. I know you will make it into a home. You have wonderful taste!
You have such a beautiful way of expressing feelings we have all had. How wise of you to take time to reflect and record those moments. You will remember and treasure the record as well as the memory. How grateful we are to have you in Arizona. Now you just have to find a new home to love.
What a special post! The transformations you made to your house are amazing! I'm so glad we got to see each other as much as we did while we were both living in the Midwest! I'm sad we're not 8 hours away from each other anymore. Good luck finding the next house you'll call home! We love you guys.
Oh and I can't believe you went out in that weather and dug up the trampoline and dome. You never cease to amaze me girl! 😉
Wow, I never saw all those before and after pictures before. You are one amazing girl to transform all that space…I would be so sad too! I'm SOOOO happy you are in AZ. Now to figure out how we can see you more…