life changes

A Bittersweet Christmas Present

/ Katie / 6 Comments

After over a year, we’ve finally sold our beloved Tail Feathers.

It’s a relief, and honestly, feels like a gift after the financial panic we’ve been feeling. We didn’t anticipate it taking so long to sell, but things in Northern Virginia being as uncertain and unstable and scary as they are…well, that’s all I should probably say without getting overtly political.

ANYWAY.

It’s been really tough on both our wallets and our hearts to carry it for so long, is what I’m getting at. And now, it’s done. And boy are we feeling lots of feelings.

It’s bittersweet, saying a final goodbye. It was the first house we ever lived in together that truly felt like a home, and the first we made our own. We’re heartbroken, and we’re relieved, and we’re happy to see it no longer sitting empty and waiting. We left it better than we found it, even if we left it sooner than we thought we would. I hope the new owners enjoy it, and take care of it, and fill it with joy and good memories. I hope they love it just like we did, and more.

With all the stress of the sale – and some health news in the family that is not mine to share – it’s not been quite the holiday season I wanted. But I’m still grateful that we are where we are, able to get back on even footing money-wise, here and happy and loved, and constantly chasing after our beautiful, brave Lucy, who is fascinated by all things Christmas. Sometimes you just have to choose to be happy, and this year, in spite of everything (again, not trying to get overtly political), I am choosing to be happy.

And I hope you are, too. I hope you have a wonderful and happy whatever you celebrate, and that your season has been full of peace and light and good things. As we come into Christmas week, I wish all of us warmth and calm, and love. So much love.

Merry Christmas, and here’s a big hug from me to you. I needed one, and now you have one, too.

Becoming a Beach Person

/ Katie / 14 Comments

I’m a mountain person.

Always have been.

Graham grew up by the water, and spent pretty much every summer day of his entire childhood on the sand. He’s the first person I’ve ever met who actually lived at the beach.

Before we got together, I think I’d visited the beach, like, five times, maybe?

All of that to say, the beach was never a huge part of my life, and it’s taken some getting used to.

It’s silly, I know, to say something like that. Lots of people love the beach – they visit every year, they make plans to retire there, they dream of owning a house and staying in it as often as they can. And I totally get it! It’s just never been my thing.

But y’all, sometimes, you gotta get over yourself.

And in this case, you is me. I am you. Because, as it turns out, Lucy loves the beach.

She’s a little intimidated by the all that sand and water, sure, but she’s a fan. Graham is elated. 😊 And me?

Well, I guess I’m finally, slowly, and for the best reason ever, becoming a beach person.  

The Big News

/ Katie / 14 Comments

Here’s something I never thought I’d say:

I live at the beach.

It’s not like I didn’t know this was a possibility. Graham grew up here, and we’ve talked for years about potentially moving and living closer to family. Other places always just called a little louder.

How things have changed.

Let me back up.

I teased a big announcement a few weeks ago, and mentioned a few posts ago – back in August, maybe? – that lots of things were happening in our little corner of the world. So, now you know. The big news? We’ve moved! The lots of things? Making plans…to move.

We are officially residents of Virginia Beach.

I miss our village and our farmhouse fiercely. All the time. But now we’re closer to Graham’s parents, and Lucy will get to know them. That feels so important. (My parents helped us move, and plan to visit monthly. The beach and the grandbaby are good incentives to travel. 😊) Graham is so excited for Lucy to grow up at the ocean, and I’m interested in what life looks like in a beach town when it’s not summer.

We’ve set up shop in a lovely (20-year-old…what an adjustment!) house in a very nice neighborhood right on the water. The views are great.

We’ve got room now for a large, cozy couch, which Lucy and her BFF Merlin have put to good use already.

And Graham’s parents are just so elated to see Lucy as often as possible.

And y’all, Lucy has figured out how to climb the stairs at their house.

Her first birthday is next week, and she’s just growing so fast! It’s beautiful to watch.

Things are bittersweet around here, though. There’s so much to be happy about and grateful for. But every new beginning also means a goodbye, and this one hurts. I’m thankful for our time in an old home in the country, for the people we met there and the community that welcomed us and loved us and lifted us up whenever we needed it.

But you know what? You take yourself with you wherever you go, and all of that love is still part of me. It’s still part of us and the life we’ll build from here on out.

And I hope you’ll stay with me, too! I imagine there will be plenty to write about, being that I’m now a country mountain critter making a home in a busy beach city.  

So cheers to the start of a new adventure, y’all! May it be good.