This week, we’ve been spending our time exploring Utrecht, Netherlands. Seeing the Dom Tower, for the first time since March, without the scaffolding that was there before. Walking along the canal park, this time with the changing colors of leaves rather than the blooming of flowers. Eating at our favorite restaurants, and new ones, and still being massively impressed by the cuisine. Needless to say, we’re enjoying ourselves, but this visit wasn’t just for fun. No, it was planned to get things in order before our big move in less than a month.
Since we arrived on Sunday, we’ve met with an immigration lawyer, talked with realtors, visited the town we’ll be staying for the first two months while we seriously search for more permanent housing, and meeting with friends we met the last time we visited.
All of this has made next month’s adventure feel better, smoother. I’m less worried now about the logistics of it all, finding peace that it will all work out. But don’t get me wrong, not everything is simple and good. I still tear up thinking of being so far away from the family and friends we love so much. I still worry about Buoy liking her new home. I still feel scared of this new adventure. But, in the end, what is life without testing our limits?
We, as humans, would never learn if we didn’t try new things. How do you think we grow and develop from infants to toddlers to teens to adults? We learn, over and over, from trying new things, testing our body and words and relationships. We aim to know more, always. And though it’s scary, terrifying even, who am I to let fear get in the way of our dreams? Now, I can say this. I can beat it into my brain that fear is just fear, and that I can overcome it and follow my dreams, but I don’t always believe it. However, I think part of the test is whether you let the fear win. And I, stubborn as I am, will not.
Europe has been a dream of mine for years. Seeing it. Living it. Exploring it. I never expected to truly move here, but alas, I have a partner who dreams as big, if not bigger, than I do. And so, here we are, less than a month from our big move.
As I write this, we are sitting in a cafe, empty cappuccino cups and breakfast plates scattered next to our laptops, working away. Scheduling, planning, preparing. It feels good here, normal, like we were meant to be right here in this moment. And that feels so good.
I don’t know what the next year will bring, but I know that it will bring joy, trust, and adventure, within myself and between Steve and I. I know that we will need to lean on each other now more than ever, but in the best way. I know that we will make new friends, and also get to see our old friends when they visit. I know we’ll miss our families, but how fun will it be to show them around our new home when they visit?!
Truthfully, I’m excited and terrified, and I don’t think anything has ever made me feel quite like this.
So as a last line for this blog, let me just say this: To everyone who has followed our adventures, to our friends and families that have supported and loved us, thank you – we are so incredibly lucky to have so much love that makes it so hard to leave.
Until next time,
Skye
Mentally Sailing 