Well, here's the shtick about moving back to Indianapolis. Overall, it is terribly and wonderfully bittersweet. Husband has been feeling discontent at his job for quite some time, just not feeling like it was where he should be. I have also been feeling a pull to be a bigger part of our extended family, desiring to love them well and learn to resolve conflict and grow together as we grow older. However, one would be foolish to hang their hat on the hopes of a new job in this recession. So, we didn't…we didn't hope for a move, in fact we dug deeper roots here in the Charlotte area. We made more and better relationships with the people we do life with everyday. It has been a sweet time for our family.
However, we didn't have to hold our breath. Husband was approached for a new position that happened to be in our hometown. Perfect! But it wasn't until the dotted line was signed that we realized just how much we would miss our home of 4 years. We celebrated our first anniversary here, we had our babies here, we bought our first house here, we really flourished and grew as adults, spouses, parents, etc.
We firmly believe that spending the majority of our first 5 years of marriage away from our hometown gently forced us to depend on each other (and of course, God) solely. No running to mom, dad or a best friend when things got tough–we rarely fought because why fight with the only person you know in a 600 mile radius?? We learned how to enjoy being married and how to resolve conflicts quickly and fairly and kindly. We learned how to be parents without other eyes looking over our shoulders. It has been a glorious time for us–hard, but well worth it. The grass is so green on this side of the fence in Charlotte.
Going home is not running away from being alone out here. We are not alone. We have a rich network of friends who feel like family. However, I think it's time to respond to the tug to go home to the cornfields of Indiana. To learn to exist among a broader group of people that share our heritage. To learn to be good spouses and good parents while in a completely different environment.
It should be an interesting new adventure. I am excited and so sorrowful at the same time. Excited to embark on a whole new world, and sorrowful to leave the comfort of the green grass we know. So, we are trusting in the Lord to do big things through our life–it will certainly be a great new adventure!