August is always very nostalgic for me the last few years. This month marks 4 years since we officially moved from Wisconsin to Arizona, which has been hands down the most life-changing, exciting thing we've done as a couple to date. This time of year, I always find myself reflecting about how crazy but thrilling that time was, and all that has happened since then. I am convinced there are things that have happened in our lives that are a direct result of us being brave enough to take the leap and try something new.
4 years since...
I was hired for a teaching job over the phone on Thursday and needed to leave for Arizona on the following Tuesday.
Mr. Ladd flew out to Phoenix for a job interview that didn't go so well the day before I would leave for Phoenix. He literally slept in the guest bed the night before I did at our friend's house, unsure of what his job situation would be.
I left my magazines on the coffee table, my tomatoes in the garden, and Mr. Ladd to pack up our dogs and our life and make the drive out to Arizona 3 weeks later to meet me.
My friend Vicki dropped me off at the airport in Milwaukee with tears and two suitcases full of everything I'd need for the near future.
I sat in the airport staring at the gate, unable to read or listen to music, just numb in a nervous stupor.
I stepped off the plane in Phoenix to 113 dry degrees and waited at the curb for Jess and Erik to pick me up. We went back to their house (our home for the next four months) and drank blueberry mojitos, and I found the beautiful note Mr. Ladd had left me on the guest bed, telling me how he couldn't wait to join me and was so excited for our new adventure.
Since then...
We got the chance to live with some of our very best friends for 4 months, reliving college years and cementing a very important friendship to us.
We bought a gorgeous house, and have appreciated every second of a great backyard, sometimes unable to believe it's ours, and that we moved in next door to such amazing neighbors!
Mr. Ladd has had the opportunity to work from home and travel to India and Malaysia.
I've taught special education, 3rd grade, and 2nd grade, before taking a break from teaching to pursue writing full time, and am now writing a freaking book! (Sorry that one I really still can't believe)
We have fallen in love with our Jeep, off-roading, the mountains, and even camping. Believe me, that last one took me by surprise.
I am certain the smell of rain and citrus blossoms are two of the best smells, live in flip flops and in the pool all summer long, have to hunt for leaves in fall, and get real excited when I get to wear a sweater and scarves in the winter.
We have met amazing new friends, and even older family and friend relationships have grown stronger in some cases with distance, meaning visits are intentional, and conversations are longer, when we don't have the luxury of proximity to take for granted.
Most importantly, Mr. Ladd and I have truly become a family- making our marriage the priority, learning so much about ourselves and each other, going through hard things together and coming out on the other side stronger, braver, and more willing to try other hard things. So, Happy Arizona Anniversary to us! And, if ever you get the chance to move across the country on a whim, or anything else that seems crazy at first, you might just want to do it.
