Welcome to England

The scent of fresh flowers fills the air as I walk by the front-facing gardens.

In the distance, the laughter of children and the chatter of people with accents I had only heard in movies create an enchanting atmosphere.

Cambridge, April 2023

As my gaze drifts upward, I find myself immersed in the rich history of the place, dating all the way back to 875. I wonder how many people have walked these cobblestone streets before me....

It's surreal to think that just a year ago, I was in Nashville, alone and on the brink of yet another mental breakdown, speaking to my then-deployed fiancé about my life's woes.

I poured out my sadness and frustration about his absence, the challenges of managing a new job, and the overwhelming task of planning our wedding.

Then came the news that added another layer to my already precarious state - he received orders, and we were to move to England for three years.

Nashville, July 2022

The prospect left me feeling overwhelmed and uneasy.

I had created roots in Nashville. I was finally a homeowner, had a great job, and a strong support system.

The idea of uprooting it all for a new life in England seemed daunting. I was also 29; I felt like I had already lived the "adventures of a new city" in my early 20s in San Francisco.

I mean, why change things if you feel as though they aren't broken?

Also, I was BUSY. My plate was filled with wedding preparations, a new job, and a long-distance relationship, and adding "moving to another continent" wasn't something I could easily embrace.

Yet, deep down, I knew this was something we both wanted.

Charleston, July 2021

I vividly remember a moment back in July 2021 when Robby and I had just begun dating.

During a trip to Charleston, South Carolina, we walked along a sunny beach and dreamt about our future together, as most newly-in-love couples do, and he mentioned how he wanted to live in England. I chuckled at the idea, considering how challenging it could be for an American to live abroad, especially in England.

Knowing he was in the military, I candidly shared that if we were ever to live in England, it would probably have to be through the military.

I guess I just didn't think that it was something that would really happen? But alas, it did.

Now, here we are, living out the American dream in the historic city of Cambridge, England. Over five months have passed, and my initial concerns have gracefully receded, replaced with the excitement of new adventures.

To reach this point, sacrifices were made—some evident, like saying goodbye to our beloved sectional sofa that wouldn't fit into a European house. Others were less apparent, like leaving my job in the tech industry, a decision that held its complexities.

This post serves as the prelude to the rest of our story, a tale of stepping outside comfort zones and embracing the unknown. I've always believed in a guiding plan, my own personal belief, and Psalm 23—"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want"—has provided me with a sense of security. I understand that as long as I keep moving forward, everything I "want" will be provided.

Cambridge, June 2023

And just like all the times before -- I am not entirely

sure what is next for me here in England. But I do know that what I am doing here is a part of my story; and the adventures that unfold are ones that I want to tell the world.

So, in the midst of these unfolding adventures, I invite you all to join me, even if the story is as simple as stopping to smell the front-facing gardens.

(*I should also note that this is not a religious blog just my own ideology and you can fill in the blank here with whatever you believe)