The End of an Era

this is from a stop in Gros Morne National park on the way here in 2009, we're headed for this park again on Sunday

In 4 days, we are going to hitch a U-Haul trailer up to our van, both packed to the gills, and strap the kids into their carseats. Coffee in hand, probably much needed after this week especially, we are going to retrace the route that Brian and I drove almost exactly 6 years ago together... as a young dating couple in my little red Yaris. This time we'll be almost 5 years married, a doctorate degree completed, two wonderful kids, and whole lot of memories.

We're leaving St. John's on Sunday for good. We are heading to Woods Hole, Massachusetts, but not until September.. we're taking a meandering holiday by road and plane to spend time with some of our dear friends and family and catch up on their lives.

I'm going to be sad to say goodbye to Newfoundland. It's a very unique place, and I have learned and grown a lot in my time here. I went from being a girlfriend to being a wife and mother. I spent six years working in the emergency department here and learned so much in my nursing career as well. We've been through many ups and downs and life here in Newfoundland, and it's definitely home.

We've made some great friends, watched them get married and have babies, been part of a church throughout different phases of its life, and seen quite a few friends move on to other places as well. Brian completed the highest level of education possible and earned his PhD. We explored lots of nooks and crannies of this province.. it really is a beautiful place!

But now it's time to leave. It's been a long time coming, and we knew that we would probably leave here eventually... if you had asked me at the beginning I would probably be quite surprised that we're still here now, but life's like that. And I'm glad. This has been a special part of our journey, and I'm excited for the next Chapter.


This song has always felt rather fitting especially for our coastal life. Also, we're not leaving the coast which I'm quite happy about.. I've come to love living by the ocean. Just moving a little farther south down the Atlantic.