1095 Days Later...

Memorial Day 2008 was spent saying goodbyes and heading out on an 1800 mile journey across the country to the new life waiting for us in Ohio.

I can't believe three years have come and gone already.

We are only planning on being here for four, so that means just one more to go.

So much about our life has changed over the last three years.

So much of who we are today and who we will become tomorrow can be credited to our time here.

I am feeling overwhelmed as I think about what the next year holds for our family.

Job searches.

National Boards part II.

Clinical boards.

A new baby.

A long dreamed of (and saved for) vacation.

Graduation.

Moving on the next phase of life.  The grown-up, real life that might not be as wonderful as I am imagining it right now.

No more living in magical student loan land, but instead facing the harsh new reality of paying those bad boys off .

I know we still have days, weeks, and months; twelve to be exact, before we have to say goodbye to this place we now call home, but I can already sense the heaviness that it will bring to my heart.

We love our ward family and will miss the unity we feel in their presence.

It will be hard to replace the amazing Ohio falls and breathtaking thunderstorms that we have come to love.

We will miss the beautiful neighborhoods and yards that we have dreamt about living in.

The awesome zoo, fantastic parks, and all the adventures waiting to be had will make up some of our fondest memories.

It will be so hard to leave our amazing friends who have celebrated with us, cried with us, played with us, and stressed with us.

Look at me.

I am getting way ahead of myself.

We still have time to enjoy our beloved Ohio.

But I know it will go fast, and I know we will leave here with regrets of not soaking up every minute.

That is just how life goes.

The point is that 1095 days ago I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

I am sure I told myself that when the time came I would be sad to leave this new place, but I am sure I doubted those words all the same.

If only I had known what Ohio would bring to us and what our time here would really teach us.

I am sure that in 365 days or so the reasons for coming here will be that much more clear, and the tears falling down my cheeks will be a genuine mix of gratitude for lessons learned and sadness from leaving my great Ohio teacher.