I moved 400 miles away to college at 18. I still came home for the summer all but one year of college. Moved back in for one semester when my mom got sick and died, my dad needed the extra help. Moved back to finish college in TX, then graduated, moved back in with my dad for about 6 months.
Moved out again for the last time in October. I only live 6 miles from my family now. I see them occasionally, maybe once a week or two unless Emily is in visiting. Sometimes I miss the 400 mile distance (never any worry about them just dropping in, but they're good about not doing that) but it's also nice to have each other as built in dog sitters lol. Right now I'm house sitting for my dad and taking care of the dogs while he's out of town. It's also nice to not be completely out of the loop like I was in regards to family. I used to be annoyed when they'd tell me about such and such time when they all got together- except for me because I was too far away. My dad and I also work at the same company and while we were in totally different groups when I started, they moved him in November so now I see him more often at work, which is awkward. I was out with my co-workers and we ran into him at lunch this week. We're also all moving into the same building in May so I think we'll see each other even more. Right now we work in different buildings. But there will still be 11 floors between us so hopefully it's not too bad.
My first time moving out, I was scared and I cried when they left and after they visited the first couple of times. 400 miles seemed like a lot but I quickly learned to love it and the freedom, starting to build my own life. I visited home once a semester and then over Christmas and summer. I NEVER imagined moving back in twice, but it happened. When I moved back home the first time I barely thought of it since I knew my mom had been given less than 6 months to live and that someone in the family was going to have to work and get the kids to school (Josie was only 11, Emily was 16 and had no DL yet). Plus my mom needed around the clock care. It was a good decision I don't regret but it made my life get pushed back quite a bit as opposed to my plan.
When I moved back out to TX, my friends had all graduated and gone and I felt very lonely. Plus I felt like I just wasn't in the same place as the other students so had a hard time connecting. Finishing school was just not fun, the only bright thing at that time was getting Mia.
Moving back in at 24 even though it was only a couple months, SUCKED. It was awful, I felt like a bum and a leech. When I moved back out last year, it was amazing. I am SO SO glad I don't have to live at home anymore.
Moved out again for the last time in October. I only live 6 miles from my family now. I see them occasionally, maybe once a week or two unless Emily is in visiting. Sometimes I miss the 400 mile distance (never any worry about them just dropping in, but they're good about not doing that) but it's also nice to have each other as built in dog sitters lol. Right now I'm house sitting for my dad and taking care of the dogs while he's out of town. It's also nice to not be completely out of the loop like I was in regards to family. I used to be annoyed when they'd tell me about such and such time when they all got together- except for me because I was too far away. My dad and I also work at the same company and while we were in totally different groups when I started, they moved him in November so now I see him more often at work, which is awkward. I was out with my co-workers and we ran into him at lunch this week. We're also all moving into the same building in May so I think we'll see each other even more. Right now we work in different buildings. But there will still be 11 floors between us so hopefully it's not too bad.
My first time moving out, I was scared and I cried when they left and after they visited the first couple of times. 400 miles seemed like a lot but I quickly learned to love it and the freedom, starting to build my own life. I visited home once a semester and then over Christmas and summer. I NEVER imagined moving back in twice, but it happened. When I moved back home the first time I barely thought of it since I knew my mom had been given less than 6 months to live and that someone in the family was going to have to work and get the kids to school (Josie was only 11, Emily was 16 and had no DL yet). Plus my mom needed around the clock care. It was a good decision I don't regret but it made my life get pushed back quite a bit as opposed to my plan.
When I moved back out to TX, my friends had all graduated and gone and I felt very lonely. Plus I felt like I just wasn't in the same place as the other students so had a hard time connecting. Finishing school was just not fun, the only bright thing at that time was getting Mia.
Moving back in at 24 even though it was only a couple months, SUCKED. It was awful, I felt like a bum and a leech. When I moved back out last year, it was amazing. I am SO SO glad I don't have to live at home anymore.
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