I'm taking a break from the standard cooking posts tonight to give an update on us...
Many of you know that we have spent much of the past several months actively searching for, applying for, and interviewing for jobs in Nashville. We have been talking about moving there for the past few years to be closer to my parents, and felt like this summer would be the perfect time to make a move. We (naively) thought it would be pretty feasible for us both to find jobs we could at least live with while we got ourselves established in Nashville.
To make a long story short, it has not gone as planned. The job market stinks.... go figure! And while we seriously contemplated taking a huge leap of faith and making the decision to move with only one of us having a job, we ultimately decided that would be too huge of a risk in this crappy economy. We are both lucky and hugely grateful to have great jobs here that we love. So, after many weeks of tears, sleepless nights, stress, and round and round discussions, today Brett and I signed our contracts to stay teaching here in KC for the next year.
To say this has been a challenge in our newly married life would be an understatement. We are both so incredibly disappointed that things did not work out as we intended. And for me, the biggest challenge has been not being able to control things to work out as I had them planned in my head. But we have both finally come to terms with the way things are working out, and are seeing the blessings in all of this.
We have built ourselves a good life here in KC. We love living downtown, we've got great friends here, and there are so many things that we would miss about this place. From the BBQ, to the Boulevard beer, to our favorite downtown 3 mile running route, to the Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings... it's all beautiful.
As I mentioned earlier, we both are lucky to have jobs we love. I have the most wonderful friends as co-workers, and I love my kids and the work I do for them. Leaving my job was going to be so difficult, and I am definitely glad that I can put off those goodbyes, for now at least. And the hugs and "happy dances" I got today when I signed my contract just reminded me how much I love everything about my job.
As for us newlyweds, this experience has definitely strengthened our relationship. We have been reminded that no matter where we are living or what we are doing, we will have each other, and that just makes everything okay.
Most importantly, we have been reminded that God's plan for us is bigger and more beautiful than we can ever understand. We truly believe there is a reason that we are meant to stay in Kansas City. We do believe we will end up in Nashville eventually, when the time is right. But now was obviously not the time for us to move, and we are so excited to see what the next year brings.
Thank you to our friends and family for all the support you have shown us during these crazy, stressful few months. We love you all, and you serve as daily reminders of the many ways we have been blessed.
So for now, signing off from Kansas City... (for the next year at least!)
Love,
B+M
