Today is the day. It appears the day has finally arrived that Chris and I will actually be leaving Iowa. Now I am never one to say something is forever but I am pretty sure that our life will not bring us back to Iowa to live.
Everyone has first impressions when they move to a new place. My first impression was made the very first time I flew into Minneapolis to visit Chris after he took a job in Mason City years ago. As I walked outside the airport terminal to go to his car I looked up at him and said “Holy cow—it’s cold. My boogers are frozen.” And that was my first introduction to the area because once I got to Mason City it was colder and definitely not warmer.
I would say I had a love hate relationship with Iowa for quite awhile. Sad but true. Let’s face it – I was missing my perfect for me job at Epworth UMC and my friends of over 9 years. It was a move necessitated by a job for the husband and I will be forever grateful for employment but if I am honest it took me until the past couple of years to really feel like Iowa was home.
They joke about Iowa being a “fly over” state and that was certainly the case for most of our family and friends. My best friend from North Carolina came to visit me twice, my sister came once and my nephew and his girlfriend made a brief stop over for a few hours when they were driving north. That was pretty much the extent of our company other than a few other “local” types who we housed now and again. All this when we had the biggest house we have ever had in our married lives. It seemed kind of silly.
But the time has come to say goodbye. My prolonged #FarewellTour2015 might have gotten a bit old for some people but I was trying to cram a lot into the last month or so. It’s difficult to say goodbye once friendships are made and roots have been put down. But it is time. Chris and I really truly love each other and the beauty of this move is that we will be together again physically more than we were the past year and a half. This is to be our last planned move (other than maybe a winter home) until as Chris so delicately puts it “They move me out in a box”. We are going to a beautiful spot where we are going to enjoy the beauty of God’s world in our own backyard and beyond. It is going to be a different place but we will still be the same people.
So thank you, Iowa, for showing me what you had to offer.
Thank you for your delightful sweet corn.
Thank you for your lovely breezy summer days.
Thank you for your flat lands where I could see for miles.
Thank you for your pork—the best I have eaten is right here.
Thank you for your small towns and small town festivals that delight and entertain.
Thank you for your history.
Thank you for being the place of everything political. (I really don’t mean thank you on this one. )
Thank you for allowing me to experience a variety of things while living within your boundaries.
Thank you for helping me connect with some wonderful friends I will have forever.
And finally – thank you for allowing me to survive your frigid and snowbound winters. Those, if I am honest, will not be missed.
18 Comments
Leave a commentI know that you are just as excited to begin this next chapter as you are sad to leave all your precious friends in Iowa. My regret is that I never made it down your way, to “the largest house you and Chris have ever owned”! and that our group “meet-up” didn’t happen (these things that are put off turn out like that……note to self…..). I really do look forward to a future East Coast visit and some quality time with you in your new hometown. Puh—-leeze…….stay in touch (I DO have your number!!!!) and “pm” your next address to me. I look forward to seeing all the fab blog posts from this next adventure…………..uber hugs and I will be forever grateful for your allowing me to stitch a bit for you…………….:-D
Thanks so much, Doreen. I know that we will always be connected and I know that you are some that will come visit and that makes my heart happy. We will have a great place to host company and friends and that was one of the main draws of the house we bought. Will be spending a few weeks in Alabama until we close on the house in NC so there will be some Alabama adventures to be written about. One if particular that I am VERY excited about. 🙂 Thanks so much for your part in my life and I will always think of you when I use my sweet red quilt!
P.S. As I wrote the above, I am sipping my morning cuppa from your sweet gift to me and will offer a prayer for you both that He be with you in the days to come……….
🙂
I’m sure you’ll hit the ground running and I’m excited to read your future posts from your new location. It’ll be fun to “see and hear” about your new home through your blog, but have no doubt, you will be missed, Beth Ann.
Thank you so much, Laura. I am so happy that we got to meet each other and form a friendship. I will always look forward to Travel Tuesdays to see what you have up your sleeve!
This post stirs up so many emotions! You’ve made ripples in so many of our lives for the better. I miss all of the things you thanked Iowa for and am so grateful we got to experience a lot of them together.
Me, too. My life is so much better because I know you!
It is always bittersweet to leave a place you called home. Enjoy your next adventure and continue to share it with your blogging friends all over the world.
“Ripples in lives…” Jeni summed it up perfectly. You leave so many ripples in lives. You will continue to as you travel south and we see you write.
Last night when I saw you and was joking about tying the snow shovel with a ribbon I actually thought about changes after you left.
When I moved here I from the south the first thing I thought about was snow shovels. They were the bane of my existence years ago when I lived in Iowa and when I came back they became them again. 😉
While Iowa is a wonderful state with the four seasons, ask that you take the snow and my snow shovel and dump it to some other state please. I highly recommend Ohio, or perhaps better yet take a detour to California since they need water so desperately. hahaha
May you continue to share your experiences, wisdom and love with us all. We will miss you but know this is all part of the much bigger and better plan God has for you. I wish love, laughter and much joy.
Thank you for everything you have given me – but most of all the friendship we have formed and continue to form.
~ Denise
Reading this is so bittersweet because now I know you can no longer swing in off I35 into Faribault to see me. 🙁 Remember that first time you drove up here for my poetry reading and Chris accompanied you because he feared I might stuff you in the trunk of my car? I still laugh about that.)
But you need to be with Mr. Diamond in a place that is not booger freezing cold. You are meant to be in a place of warmth and sunshine and water. That is not Iowa, or Minnesota, for at least six months of the year.
I will miss you. But I know you are just a phone call, an email, a text away. Thanks for being the friend you are, who cares and loves and makes me laugh.
Safe travels my friend and God bless and keep you.
Best wishes to you as you close one chapter and start another!
Did I read correctly that you’re only staying in Alabama for a few weeks? I thought that was a permanent move.
I’m so thankful to have spent time with you here in IA. I am so excited that you get to be with Chris full time finally!! Love you!
wow! What a beautiful post! You are truly an amazing woman! I wish only the best for you and Chris on your new adventure and am so thankful for new age technology that I know we will always be in touch! Love to you always!
Thank so much! I know that there will be lots of adventures on the way!
Wishing you all the best in your new home. I hope, by now you are settling in a bit! Lots of luck!!! xoxo
Not quite yet! We are in the rental house in Alabama for a few more weeks until we close on the house in NC. Can’t wait !!!
I don’t know how you survived in those Iowa winters!