People move all the time. For jobs, for families, for something…different. Moving can be a time of high anxiety, placing higher-than-normal amounts of stress on yourself, your spouse, your whole family. Throw a couple of young children and a 21-hour car ride in there, and you’ve got yourself an adventure.
For a long time, my husband and I had talked about, daydreamed, and imagined moving away from where we grew up. Although scary and full of the unknown, the thrill of adventure took over our hearts, and we set out to make it happen. After researching, visiting, and planning, we decided Phoenix would become our new home.
Off we went. After a four-day, seven-state drive -with two kids under the age of 3- we finally crossed the Arizona border on a warm, breezy September day. Upon arrival, we immediately set off to fulfill the daunting task of carving our own place here, in a new town, state, climate, and timezone. It’s downright exhausting to complete the grunt work of a move: finding new doctors, grocery stores, pharmacies, libraries, setting up utilities, etc. Not to mention learning about an entirely different environment complete with dust bowls, scorpions, and javelinas. Overwhelming, to say the least. But I simply made a lengthy To-Do list and started crossing items off, one by one.
In truth, I was most focused on filling the part of my soul that needed attention first: I needed to make some friends here. As a stay-at-home mom, I knew how easy it could be to slip into a state of isolation. I wanted playdates, coffee chats, mom’s nights out, and family dinners. Talk about feeling like the new kid in school; it can be extremely indimidating going up to a strange group of people and introducing yourself. But that’s what I had to do, and that’s exactly what I did. Yes, it was scary. Yes, I felt shy and downright silly walking up to a complete stranger and saying “Hi, my name is…” But by facing my own fears and insecurities, I have gotten playdates and conversations and the beginnings of friendships I can tell will continue to grow. And every day I feel myself getting closer and closer to the very beautiful place of feeling comfortable in my own skin. A place I do not think I could have reached by merely staying settled in my comfort zone.
As difficult as it is to not be near our families and cherished friends, I am eager to begin new traditions here and to celebrate all we’ve accomplished this year as a family. Moving has brought us closer than I ever thought possible, and I know it is just another notch on our marriage belt, another brick of foundation made to strengthen it.
Life is about cherishing the ones you love and making the most of this crazy, beautiful life we’ve been given.
Life begins outside of your comfort zone.
*****
Danielle recently moved from Iowa to Arizona with her husband Ryan and two children Caden and Mabel and is still working on the whole adjustment thing. Enjoying the scenery, making new friends, and finding her way around this crazy-fabulous place. In no particular order, she loves scrapbooking, books, coffee, the ocean, music, getting all dolled up, playing make-believe with her little ones, moonlighting as a hairstylist, and the color pink.
You’re doing AWESOME girlie! Seriously… I’m so proud of how you’ve just jumped right in and made yourself at home here! Here’s a HUGE SMB Welcome!
I am so glad I met you Danielle! I feel so lucky to be one of your Arizona friends!! Looking forward to many more adventures! xo 🙂
Danielle, you are one of the sweetest and bravest people I have met! I know exactly how hard it is moving across the country — we moved from Phoenix to Atlanta to Buffalo back to Phoenix, but you did the most daunting task of all — finding a mom’s group and making it work for you. Thanks for sharing your story and inspiring us! 🙂
Such a mixture of emotions reading this. So happy FOR you and proud OF you for all you have done in the last year, but, oh, how I miss you. Cannot wait to see your sunny face in the sunshine in a few weeks!
P.S. Way jealous of your new friends…Ladies of Scottsdale, this girl is gold. 🙂
Danielle, I love this post. You guys are so brave…what an adventure! 🙂
How about making that long distance move twice in less than two years. Yup. Spent ten awesome years in Henderson, NV and decided to move back to New England where my husband and I grew up to be near family. My husband had just started his own business. Well ten unhappy months later, we longed to be back in the desert and decided up Scottsdale. The best of Henderson tenfold. Same here for me – new everything. But the most wonderful thing about moving to a place like Scottsdale? So many people are transient. From some other place and are in the same position we are. It makes making friends so much easier and the friendships end up being so much more meaningful. Do you love it here? We do!
I love that you joined our Moms Group; jumping in with two feet!! You’re such a perfect fit and we’ve all enjoyed getting to know you!!
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