“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny, but ourselves” – William Shakespeare
The beginning of a new year is the ultimate time for reflection and mindfulness. Where we are, where we have been, where we’re going. The past year has been the first good year for Matt and I in a long time. The end of 2012 and beginning of 2013 marked itself as the most devastating time of our lives. A high risk twin pregnancy with the knowledge that one of our babies had no chance of life, the uncertainty that we may lose both, the endless emergency visits to the labour ward, the death of our sons and the debilitating grief that followed. So much trauma, so much heartache. Our joy had swiftly turned to sorrow and we felt so lost when our new found parenthood was torn away. Our home transformed from a place of comfort and sanctuary into a place we felt trapped. Loss and loneliness, encapsulated within the walls that surrounded us. But 2014 was good to us. It was not without its own challenges, but our grief has settled, it has become part of our new normal. Henry has flourished. And whilst life has been better, our lives are still not where we want them to be.
The death of William and Noah changed everything. The path our lives would follow, our perspectives, our relationships. Something as monumental as your children dying strips away all facades and leaves behind raw truth. We suddenly saw life and people as they really were. It made us question what we truly wanted from our life and how we wanted to live.
Losing William and Noah taught us that we are never guaranteed time. Life is precious, short. They did not get the luxury of a life, and so we want to live ours for them as well as for ourselves. We saw with clarity the changes we wanted to make within our lives, the direction we wanted to move in. We want, and need, a new start. A new beginning. And so, in March, we will be moving to the USA. Sweet serendipity presented itself through a work opportunity in Matt’s company, which has a large presence in the US, allowing us to fulfil one of our dreams of living in another country.
A new life.
A better life, we hope, for Henry and ourselves.
We have always wanted to experience life somewhere other than here. Too many people don’t have the chance to leave their country, instead they are bound by poverty or politics, imprisoned in a world where they aren’t happy. We are so fortunate that the world is open for us, free to explore and inhabit. We want to experience as much of it as possible. It is an incredible opportunity to meet new people, experience new things, see new places. We are so thankful and so very excited to start this new chapter in our lives.
Virginia will become the place we call home, with its glorious Blue Ridge mountains, rich culture and historic homes. There is so much we want to see, so much we want to do. Not only in the neighbourhood we will be living in, but throughout the East Coast. Florida will only be a few hours away by plane – the magical world of Disney, Harry Potter and Busch Gardens awaits. New York – a 40 minute journey by plane. And of course, the White House in Washington.
We will be documenting our journey here on my blog – it is our hope that capturing such a life changing move will be something poignant to look back on in years to come. When my parents left South Africa and moved our family to England when I was almost 3 years old, it is something which I would have loved to look back on. I’m looking forward to documenting the realities of moving across the world and setting up a home in a new and foreign place. The challenges, the joys, the new places and people. But until then, we’re busy planning and prepping for the big move, excitedly anticipating what the future holds for us.
Wow Amy! This is a fantastic and exciting opportunity for both you Matt and Henry. I wish you all the best for your future adventure, it's going to be one AMAZING ride x
Wishing you every happiness as you embark on this big adventure! I am a relatively new follower of your blog Amy, but I look forward to reading about your big move and all that follows. All the best with the preparations – it must be a busy time but it will be worth it
This is going to be such an amazing opportunity for you and your family 🙂 I'm looking forward to reading about this exciting adventure xxx
Wow, I wish you all the best for your big move. I would absolutely love to even visit America, it seems like such a wonderful place to live. This must be so so exciting for all of you. xx
WOW! How exciting. What an amazing 2015 you are set to have. I'll look forward to following all your adventures the other side of the atlantic. x
This is so exciting! Best of luck with the move and can't wait to follow your adventures on here and YouTube xx
Oh wow, how exciting! I'd love to move abroad to either America or Australia…somewhere hot! I lived abroad when I was younger and, as much as I love the greenery here, I do miss the heat! Look forward to seeing your updates!
Wow this is so exciting! I can't wait to follow your journey, we are desperate to move to the states and hoping for my OH to secure some kind of job opportunity that will allow it to happen! It sounds amazing! x
Aw Amy this is such exciting news for your family!! Looking forward to following your journey and wish you every ounce of luck and success on your new life over there! x
teapartywithalice.com
Sounds so exciting. I wish you all health, happiness and lots of luck in 2015!
Harriet x
lovemoreandworryless.blogspot.co.uk
what an amazing opportunity for you and your family!wishing you all the best in 2015 xx
How incredibly exciting, wishing you lots of luck and happiness, can't wait to hear all about your American adventure x
What Rachael Wrote
I wish You all the best. I understand how excited You are. My husband and me are planning to leave UK soon (probably next year) and …. Move back to our home country. I am scared and excited and staying positive 🙂
This is exciting news! I wish you all the very best and I look forward to hearing updates from your new adventure.
The very best of luck to you & your little family! xx
http://www.beautylymin.blogspot.com
Best of luck to you all with this fabulous opportunity Amy. Life is too short to not take it by the horns and see what it can bring you. I hope 2015 is kind to you all and brings you health and happiness. L xxx
http://www.adventuresofamum.com
Congratulations Amy, I have no doubt that the new year will bring nothing but good feels your way! I'm excited to see your plans unfold! Best of luck with everything!
How exciting! I watch a lady on YouTube who moved to the USA in December and I followed her journey through her videos. So excited for yours! We would love to move one day, reading this made me so excited! 🙂 x
How exciting! All the best in your new lives together x
Wow how incredibly exciting Amy- I look forward to watching and sharing your exciting adventure. I would love to move to another country but I just couldn't leave my family. I wish you every happiness in your new adventure and am off to subscribe to you on You Tube. x
All the best for your move, what an exciting opportunity! Virginia is beautiful and the blue ridge parkway is worth driving. xx
Oh wow! You lucky thing! It's my lifelong dream to move to America but getting a Visa is impossible! I've never been to Virginia but it looks absolutely beautiful. I can't wait to read about all your adventures
xx
Congratulations on your move! I hope Virginia is all that you hope it to be. As an American, I hope you love your new home and welcome you all to the US. 🙂 I can't wait to read more about your journey here! It's always so fascinating to read how non-natives see the US. 🙂
best of luck!!!!
I wish you all the very best in your new home and adventure. You have had awful heartache that I could never imgine going through, you deserve nothing but the best from life from now onwards.
Em
http://www.emsmixedbag.com
That's amazing news! All the best for the big move! x
what an absolutely wonderful opportunity for you and your family, I for one am insanely jealous as I love the USA! You totally deserve to live your life happily ever after and I truly hope you find happiness in your new beginning 🙂
xxx
Jade
Beauty Butterfly | UK Beauty & Lifestyle
What amazing news Amy! Such a once in a lifetime opportunity that I'm sure will be a perfect change in direction for your little family. Wishing you the best of luck with the move – hopefully the transition will be as easy(ish) for you as it was for me! xx
Hi Amy, I have moved to canada with my husbands job nearly 3 years ago, and we haven't looked back!
Luckily with his job we get o travel a lot and have been to Virginia many times!
Wishing you all the best with your move xx
I'm so pleased for you- it sounds like a great adventure. I hope you dont get too stressed with all the organising. Looking forward to hearing more about it 🙂 x
Good luck with your big adventure! My brother and his wife have started the year by moving to the States too – exciting times 🙂
Wow this is such exciting news!! Best of luck with your move to the US, I'm sure it'll be an amazing adventure for you all. Having Skype & FaceTime these days is such a big help too for keeping in touch with family. Can't wait to hear how you all get on 🙂 Steph xx
So sorry to read about your sad loss..
It sounds like an amazing adventure you're going to have. All the best! X #ThePrompt
Adventure certainly does await
I hope you find peace and happiness in your new surroundings. Your positivity even through tough times really resounds in this post. Good luck. xx
I hope this move brings you everything you wish for. Having made the move to the US in 2012 I can tell you that it is a wonderful country and we are very happy with our decision, although cultural differences can be entertaining 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing with #ThePrompt and I look forward to reading more of your journey x
An exciting adventure for you and your family. My best friend is moving out to the US next month with her's and I must say I'm excited by association for the opportunities that she will have and myself with the knowledge that there's a 'holiday home' in America should I want to use it!
All the best
Victoria x
FlorenceandMary.com
Look forward to hearing about your adventure!! xx
Amy,
I am so thankful that you stumbled upon pM, and that I found you, and your stories! I Saw in your british beauty post that you are moving to the US, and to Virginia no less! I moved to Richmond, VA from Orlando, FL 3 years ago, and wouldn't give it up for the world, anywhere on the whole globe! I look forward to following you on your journey to the US, and being bloggers in the same state! Reach out if you are in need of a friendly face!
Best,
Jordan
petiteMODERN