Change || Life Update & Exciting News

Whether it's in our control or not, change is inevitable. We can't hide from it. We can't run from it. And we certainly can't stop it from happening as life goes on. So what's there left for us to do?

For us, life just got interesting. It got interesting, exciting, and scary all at once. I've gone through everything from tears of worry and sadness, to laughter and joy thinking about what's to come. All because of one thing that is leading to a huge change for us in our lives.

Let's go back over a year ago.

About a year ago, Roberto approached me about the idea of moving abroad for his job. Instantly tears came down my face. NO. I couldn't do it. The thought of leaving friends and family behind tore my heart to pieces. And what hurt even worse was that I knew if given the opportunity, this was a lifelong dream of Roberto's. One that I knew he'd want to pursue and one that I felt I couldn't deliver.

Roberto respected my wishes and never brought the idea up again because he knew how it affected me. Fast forward to a couple of months ago, opportunity knocked again.

Although I've gone through a series of emotions, overall I feel like this time I felt strong enough to tell myself that accepting this journey is okay.

It allowed me to reflect and ask myself, what changed between now and then that gave me the strength to feel okay? Well, there were many things actually, but I instantly knew there was one big concept that helped me.

Enter Marriage Prep.

Yes, I can't believe it either. While most dreaded this, Roberto and I actually really enjoyed our class that we took this past January. It was very insightful, however, there was one thing the priest said that really stood out to me.

When talking about LOVE, he mentioned there were different types. The love we have for our family is nostalgic love. He said at times we can feel guilty to make decisions different than theirs or have a hard time saying no to them because of all they've done for us -- we don't ever want them to feel like we're abandoning them. He continued saying the love for our families will always be there, however, we really have to focus on the love between us and our life partners. He then continued on with a key word -- SACRIFICE, asking us how much are you willing to sacrifice for the one you love?

I bet you're wondering what my brain was thinking during all of this.

I would do anything for Roberto, but the reason I could never move abroad before was because of nostalgic love. But I quickly realized the priest is right -- that nostalgic love will always be there. I can't let that hold us back from our love and our future together.

Shortly after that class I found myself saying that if opportunity ever knocked again, I would consider making the move.

I was still in shock when it all came about this time, however I shifted my focus and realized that many people would kill for this opportunity and I'm lucky enough to get the chance to do it. And I truly don't think of this change as a sacrifice that I'm doing for Roberto. Sure there are moments with friends and family that we are going to miss out on -- moments that we're both sacrificing, however this isn't about me doing this for him or him doing stuff for me. We're a team that's taking on this change side by side.

The idea of packing up our essentials and starting a new journey together is pretty thrilling. (Taking Minimal Lyss to a whole new level!) It'll be tough having many things happening back to back (wedding and honeymoon in August, then the move in September), but we've had nothing but support from all our friends and family to help with all the transitions.

Part of me doesn't know how I'll pack up and leave our first apartment in just a few short months, that we shared so many memories in. However, Roberto once told me that the space were in is just that -- space. We are the ones who create the memories so no matter what space we're in we'll have each other to create new moments. We'll learn and grow in a new space, new city, and learn to rely on each other as newlyweds without the help of family and friends near by. I think this will only benefit us.

Being a visual person, I like to visualize where I see myself in a year, 5 years, etc. and not knowing what opportunities lie ahead of me with this change makes it hard for me to picture where I'll be this time next year, let alone months from now.

I feel like I've been feeling lost for this sort of reason. But I'm confident that I'll discover myself even more. So for now, I'm taking life day by day. No expectations, but exploring to see what's all out there. And maybe instead of planning like usual, this is one of the many changes I need. I also don't know what direction the blog will be heading in for now, but I know that whatever it is, it's going to be something I enjoy and a way that I can share our journey abroad with you all.

Before I forget -- I guess now is a good time to say where we're moving to this upcoming September!

We are off to DUBLIN, IRELAND!!

We actually visited there last September and I really enjoyed it so I am excited to go back! However this time it'll be for a bit longer obviously -- two years longer! But it'll be an amazing two years filled with adventure. Our plan while we're over there is to find time to travel to many other cities throughout Europe that we haven't been to. We figured now is the time before we come back home, settle, and hopefully start a family of our own. We'll even get to visit Roberto's one side of the family in Portugal again since they'll be a lot closer to us. Just one of the many good things we have to look forward to!

In the mix of all the emotions, I've been wondering how to write this post -- editing and rewriting the words in my head more times than I can count so that I'll be ready and confident to hit the publish button. But the truth is, like all moments in life -- you're never going to be fully ready.

And while I may not be fully ready, I am ready to take a leap and see what may be. I'm accepting where we are and having faith in where we'll go. And just as much as Roberto will be developing himself and his career, I'm taking this once in a life time opportunity to do the same for myself in whatever way that may be. Like the quote goes "if it's both terrifying and amazing then you should definitely pursue it."

So what do we do when change comes knocking?

We embrace it. Because there is a bigger plan for all of us than we will ever be able to understand in the present. We just have to learn to trust it.