The Goodbyes (days leading up to departure day)

The days leading up to the move were incredibly stressful, as you can imagine.  Not only were we packing, and looking for a rental online, and planning the trip itself, we were also saying our goodbyes.

My side of the family had an early Thanksgiving, so that we could all be there.  It was happy, and heartbreaking, at the same time. At one point, I know that almost all the females were crying. It was difficult, but not nearly as difficult as saying goodbye to my baby brother.

My adorable niece, showing off her vampire teeth.

My baby brother is very sensitive, and he and I are close. The last night we were all together, he tried to run downstairs to avoid having to go through it. I made him go through it. I followed him downstairs, we both slammed a beer, and we cried, and hugged, and then cried and hugged some more.

It was a strange feeling for me. I mean, I knew I would cry, especially when I said goodbye to my mom, the most amazing person I know. I had no idea though, that saying goodbye to the baby of the family would tear me apart like it did.

I knew all along that this move was the best thing to do for my husband and my family, but that didn’t make the Goodbyes any easier.

My packing crew.

Saying goodbye to the new friends I just made in Marshall, MN was hard too. They spent as much time with me as they could that last day, and the tears flowed again.

Honestly, it was hard to say goodbye, but I am happy for the tears. Tears mean that we have friends. Tears mean that we will be missed. Tears mean that we are loved, and to be loved is the greatest blessing of all.