M and I talked about a lot of things on our drive up but we tried not to talk about how sad and scared we were. We had a grand time in Chicago, but every day M would say to me, "I'm a little scared about our move." We would talk about how sad we were to be leaving our friends and family, but we also talked about how things would work out.
"Imagine if this is the best experience we've ever had," I told her one day. "We are going to be saying how happy we are we made this move." We got home from Chicago and my parents drove up with B and L. The very next day, B started Marching Band Camp. That was when I knew this move was the right thing.
I knew nothing about Marching Band Camp, but I was in a Facebook Group for the band and posted a litany of questions. One Mom responded with "Call me and I'll fill you in" and provided her cell phone number. Normally, I'd shy away from calling a perfect stranger, but I knew this was for the benefit of B, so I took a deep breath, made the call and had a great conversation.
We ran around getting everything B needed and I took her to the high school. I walked her in and my heart warmed to see her welcomed by so many kids. I knew she was going to love it.
Later that week, I was at the high school dropping off dinner for B and one of the Band Moms came over to me and said, "Look, B made a friend!" I looked over and saw B sitting next to another girl. They were eating and in deep conversation. My heart melted as I saw all of B's (and my) worst fears vanish.
During the next week, I met the Mom of B's friend and was excited to see if a friendship would blossom (it has!). Every road I drove on, everyone I met, it just felt right.
We closed on our beautiful house; this house that feels like it was hand picked for us. I knew it was the right house because it made me smile the minute I stepped foot in it. The movers came with our things and immediately this house felt like home, even amidst all of the boxes, and boy were there a lot of boxes.
We met a few neighbors and we went back to school shopping. Everyone we met, from the neighbors, to the Target employees and even the people who work at drive through restaurants were nice. We kept commenting on how this area isn't just nice because of the scenery, but because of the people.
We toured the girls' schools and met their teachers and we loved it all. After meeting M's teachers, she said to me, "I think you should have had us write those letters. Based on everything so far, I think this move was the perfect thing for us." I have to agree.
We have now been here for close to a month and I'm happy to report we are all happy! B loves high school (I still can't believe I have a high schooler and I fully admit I cried watching her get on the bus on the first day of school). She loves her classes, her teachers, Marching Band and the fact that she is able to eat lunch with her friend every day. She has made a friend in the neighborhood, who is in one of her classes and rides the bus with her.
M mostly likes middle school. Out of the 3, she has had a rough time adjusting to a new school schedule. Her schedule changed 3 times in as many days and she had a tough time making friends, but she's slowly getting there. She came home a few days ago and told us she has a friend on the bus and she's becoming friendlier with some of her classmates. I told her friendships usually don't pop up over night, they take time to bloom.
L loves her school and her teachers. She has 2, one for Science and Math and one for Language Arts and Social Studies, and then, of course, her Specials teachers. She made a friend on the first day of school and has since made a few more. All of her fears of not having any friends and not fitting in were for naught.
I am becoming friendly with the neighborhood Moms and I am so excited that B's friend's Mom and I have already been to the movies together, shopped at Target together and have gone out to lunch. She and I have a lot in common and it's so nice having someone to meet up with.
I am absolutely in love with our new city. I love everything about it and I find myself smiling as I drive down streets that became familiar in just mere days. I love our community and the people in it and I absolutely love our home.
I still miss things about where we came from. I miss our friends, my parents, and the wonderful bagel shop, but honestly, that's about it. This new town has welcomed us with open arms and we truly feel as though this is where we belong.
I have since decided change isn't the scary part. Change is actually quite exciting. The scary part is the not knowing how all the change will work out in the end.
