Cold Feet

But I knew that if I was moving to, say, Germany I wouldn't even think about comparing it to the US so why even do it with here? Does that make sense?

This makes perfect sense I know (especially once I get there) that I will definitely have to keep that in mind.  Because the US and UK are so similar, it's a lot easier to forget that it is a completely different country! 

I think it is a lot harder for you to leave everything behind when you really do love it.  Especially for those of us with kids or close family.  My entire family lives less than 30 minutes from me and I see them all at least once a week...that's going to be extremely hard for my daughter to adjust to.  The good thing is that my family is doing pretty good as far as money and vacation time, so I know they'll be able to visit often...knowing that is making the move a little easier.

For example, I have been looking up people from my old high school on fb and look at their profile if it's not hidden.  They are so gung-ho on their old high school, live in the same dumpy town, married to their bf/gf from high school.  The post OU game scores on their page eventhough they never went to school there. I'm like- gimme a break!  Then I realize that these are their lives, and mine is much different. I am starting to feel like there is a reason my life has lead me to this moment...Maybe I am going somewhere I belong.

This is a discussion that I had with my family when they were upset about me moving.  They are perfectly content living in the small town that I grew up in and going camping when the weather is warm for a vacation.  I, on the other hand, am not.  I want to get out and see the world, experience new things, embark on new journeys, etc.  I love the life I have here in the US...but I also look forward to all the things I love about the UK that can make that life even better. 

Shannon, I know that you & I have already talked about this & you are now in England, & hopefully getting settled in very well.

I just wanted to share my experience so far. For those who don't already know, I'll be getting married to David (my Englishman) in just over 2 weeks now and then hopefully by the end of November, joining him in the UK. Like Shannon, I will not be making the transition alone. I have two children who I will be bringing along with me.

Between the stress of planning a wedding, visas for three and leaving everything familiar, I have had my share of panic moments over the past week. For goodness sake, I started crying when I heard the Miley Cyrus song "Party in the USA" because it reminded me that I would be leaving everything that is so easy and familiar in the States. The next song on the radio was "Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon, which always reminds me of David, for several reasons, so then I started laughing through the tears because I remembered WHY I am leaving everything in the US. Talk about feeling manic!

Just like all brides do, I have definitely had those moments when I have wondered if I am making the right decision. Then of course it's compounded by the fact that my children & I are leaving everyone else behind and moving 4000 miles away. The thing that really settled my mind today was that I started writing my wedding day love letter to David. In the letter, I told him why I initially fell in love with him and how that love has grown and how he has changed our lives for the better. After reading what I had written and knowing that it is all the absolute truth and not some glorified account of things, I remember why I am leaving behind everything and everyone, but my children and I know that everything will be ok. I know that things will not always be easy and that I will assuredly have more panic moments, but I also know that everything will be ok.

For goodness sake, I started crying when I heard the Miley Cyrus song "Party in the USA" because it reminded me that I would be leaving everything that is so easy and familiar in the States. The next song on the radio was "Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon, which always reminds me of David, for several reasons, so then I started laughing through the tears because I remembered WHY I am leaving everything in the US. Talk about feeling manic!

That's funny -when I hear that Miley Cyrus song, I cry,too.  It has just hit me, too, that by the end of November me and my 2 dogs are moving to England to be with my husband.  I do get teary often at little things that I think I will miss.  I try to hide it from family and friends because I worry they are more upset than I am about the move.  I moved back in with my parents in April to save money for my move.  I had no idea how attached we would become with each other.  So much of me feels so guilty for leaving them to pursue my happiness.  I feel so guilty for dragging my dogs across an ocean. But I have to remember, my family wants me to be happy.  And my happiness is leading me to England.  My husband and I need to live there since he has joint custody of his children.

Thanks for the posts everyone.  As I wait for my visa to arrive (been 4 business days now), I will continue too stay up way to late trying to soak everyone's experiences in.  I do know in my heart I will be happy and am so happy to have found such a wonderful man.

So much of me feels so guilty for leaving them to pursue my happiness. 

Totally and completely relate to this.  It was really hard for me to say goodbye to my family since I was used to seeing them 24/7.  (Work together in family business and live together as well.)  But as you said they want to see you happy.  That's exactly what my Mom said when she left me at the airport.  That I had met a wonderful man and was going to have a great life and she couldn't be happier (even though I'm sure she was wishing all of that had happened in NY!).

Best of luck on your move!

I am flying out tomorrow and am freaking out a bit.  I am sooo very excited to finally be able to live with my husband and have this whole ordeal over.  But at the same time, I am like - Holy cow - I am moving 4,500 miles to a different country where I don't have any of my own friends or even have a job.  Being such a planned person, my stress and anxiety is through the roof.  Not to mention taking the dogs over.  My mom has been crying for the last 2 days.  I think she is more upset about the dogs since she know they can't fly back for visits like I will be able to.

Any words of wisdom for my last day here?  Any words of comfort that helped your family feel better about you going and you better about leaving?  Luckily, my sister is able to go with me for a week visit so that should help.

I am a mess.  But I know once I land and see my honey and know that my dogs made it, I'll be better.

Awww... *big hugs*

I'm not sure if I really have any advice...but I can say that I just let myself cry for like an entire day without stopping.  By the time I finally left, I didn't have any tears left...lol.  It is really difficult when you are concentrating on everything you are leaving behind.  I think the last few days in the US are the worst because they are usually spent trying to pack in extra time with family and friends...and you start to realize how important they are to you (something you may have taken for granted before) and how much you enjoy being with them.

Just keep your eye on the prize.  Like you said, as soon as you land and get a big kiss...you'll know you made the right decision.

P.S.  It's so cute that you think your mom is more upset about the dogs leaving than you.     If your family or friends need some reassuring, just keep telling them how much you can stay in contact (phone, email, Skype chats) and when you are planning to see each other again.

Get a webcam and get one for your mom so she can see the dogs. 

As far as advice for your family just let them know that even though you're seperated by distance, with as great as technology is these days, you won't feel like you're that far away.  I call my Mom everyday, and that has really made things seem a bit more normal, and not like it was such a HUGE change.

I'm a huge advocate of Skype (no, I do not work for them).  I signed up for an international calling plan through them, bought a Skype phone for the computer and now call my Mom in the US all the time.  Regular Skype to Skype calls are free, but it's hard to get my Mom to sit down in front of the computer so I figured calling through Skype was the best option.

Best of luck on your move!  As said before, it is a nervous, anxious, sad, emotional time, however once you get off that plan and are with your husband you'll know you made the right decision!

Thanks everyone!  After waking up today, I feel a little more focused on the prize waiting for me in London.  I have shown my parents how to use Talkster.  I set them up on Skype several months ago and made them both practice using it.  I definitely am going to get a Skype US number as soon as I get over, too.

I do talk to my mom everyday even when we are not together.  So I will remind her nothing will change. 

Thanks again - so nice to have others who know how I feel

best of luck lizzylou! i'm totally jealous that you get to leave today while I still have to wait 5 months, lol...best wishes...i am sure you will feel great once you see your hubby!

I made it to England safe and sound with my 2 dogs with minimal meltdowns.  i got really sad when my dogs got left at cargo.  I got a little sad once the plane took off.  But I had my sister with me and she would just tell me to "get it together" sometimes throughout the flight.

I got really excited at customs.  I had thought I would just slide right through but I got the questioning again.  She said it wouldn't be so much questioning the next time.

I was so happy when I got through and my husband was right there waiting for me!  Well worth the wait. 

While I still feel like a fish out of water sometimes, I know this is my home.

Welcome home.

Yay for a safe trip Lizzylou and definitely welcome home!!!!

Welcome to the UK!!!

I'm sure it greeted you appropriately with a little drizzle at the airport? 
How are your first days going? Don’t even remember what it was like, I guess the best description is that everything felt surreal. Like a dream or something, I remember going for a nice crispy walk by the river a year ago looking at the pretty fluffy sheep and it just felt unreal! This is my life now?!

Hey keep it touch, let me know if you would like to go for a walk by the river in Pangbourne must worn you, you need a pair of nice wellies , it’s very English to go for a walk in your wellies by the river

pteshka

after reading all the posts im certain im gonna be okay.........i can go from excited to crying in a matter of 1.5 seconds.....lol.......i have begun to realize that cold feet is all part of the process.......nervous stomach as i think that this time next year ill be in the uk with my hubby........oh my

steff