A Place that will Always Feel like Home

This time four years ago I was preparing for our move to the West Coast from Toronto. I was excited, nervous, anxious and unsure about this big change that we were making. I knew that there would be adventures and struggles, and sure enough we got all of that and more. Way more than we ever could have bargained for.

The Lions Gate Bridge from Stanley Park during our first visit - March 2012

Making the choice to move across the country with a 9 month old was not easy. At the time I was excited to live somewhere new, especially somewhere as beautiful as BC. Neither of us had been to the west coast prior to our decision to move, but we knew we were in for wonderful things. What we didn't expect were the friends that we would make in our time here - only 4 short years. 

We met friends on the ball field (LOTS of friends) who filled our days with laughs and our summers and weekends with awesome adventures. We met friends in classes and at the farmer's market, and while in Mission we really made this place feel like home. We can go out to eat, be in the grocery store or at the farmers market on the weekend and our trips always take longer than planned because we run into a friendly face we want to catch up with. We will miss ALL of the faces and places that we have come to know so well.

A stroll on China Beach, Vancouver Island - August 2014

I will miss the snow capped mountains just outside of our front door, and being on the river in the summer with friends. I'll miss the drive to the dairy in the summer for ice cream with the family, and a winter that never really comes.

Taken during a BBQ on the beach in February 2013

The first year out here I really struggled. I felt so alone at home with a toddler, almost trapped some days with no one to talk to while Brett was at work. There were days that I cried and felt so lonely, but things began to change as we settled into a new home, in a new town and a new neighbourhood. I got involved with things that I loved and I met so many amazing people. All of this feels so hard to leave behind, but at the same time I know that this new adventure will bring us more wonderful things just like moving to BC did.

In four years we made the most of our time in BC. I look back on photos and can't believe all of the hikes we went on and the beautiful places that we had the opportunity to visit. I know we've barely scratched the surface, but that's only more reason for us to be back to visit... or possibly even live one day.

In my 30 years, I've learned that life will take unexpected twists and turns. You need to learn to roll with the punches and make the most of each and every situation. When the difficult strikes, we come together instead of letting it tear us apart and we try to look at the positives. We always try to find the positives and it helps us through those hard times. That's exactly what we've done. Brett losing his job was a big shock, but it was also an eye opener for us. We're ready for something more, even if it means leaving a lot behind. This isn't new to us, and together we'll go on an adventure of a lifetime.

Golden Ears Park - July 2013

As hard as it is to leave the home where Nolan was born, and all of our friends in this beautiful province, we have a wide open road ahead of us. To me, BC will always feel like home and we hope that one day we will return. It all depends on what road life will lead us down next. So as we drive away from our second home today, it's not "good-bye", it's "see you soon"!