The biggest life lesson from this past year

I was Marco-Poloing with a friend back in Idaho, and she was expressing the all-to-familiar snow fatigue. "I can’t even leave my house," she said. Our road is completely covered in snow drifts. I don’t even know why we live here."

I was immediately taken back to this time last year, when we made the decision to move. As much as Chris and I sort of daydreamed about moving to a warmer climate, it didn't seem possible. Both of our parents live in Idaho. We had a growing team, who all lived in Idaho. As much as we loved our home state — and the people we shared it with, it kind of felt like the decision of where to live was made for us.

I have a few health issues that were exacerbated by the cold weather in Idaho — my doctors had been telling me for YEARS. And not even my health was registering as a good enough reason to move! Looking back, it seems crazy to me that we didn't move sooner!

Last February, I visited my sister in her lake house outside of Seattle, and something just clicked. Here was a member of my own family, living exactly where she wanted to live. We spent so much time outdoors that weekend — hiking, sitting by the fire, walking along the pier. We weren't hindered by snow drifts :) Washington didn't feel like home to me, but it got me thinking seriously about moving somewhere that did.

I had a little pep talk with myself in the airport on the way home. I knew if I went home and told Chris that I wanted to move that he'd be 100% behind me. We had talked about it before! So I had to be sure I was ready for the train to leave the station, so to speak. I touched down in Idaho and was greeted by a blanket of gorgeous, glittering snow. I knew I would love that view forever — and that it was time to say goodbye.

I guess what I learned in this move and what this last year has taught me is that you have to live your life for YOU. Your friends and family will support you (and visit you) wherever you go. We couldn't stay in Idaho *just in case* there was ever a health problem with one of our parents when *I* was the one having the health problems! I've already been back to Idaho to visit, and we've got another trip on the books for this spring. You can go to see the people and places that are important to you — without having a permanent address there.

I've always been big on "loving where you live," and I hope you're feeling that about not just your home — but where that home is. Because, if not... what's keeping you there?