Unemployed. Career break. Finding ourselves. Quitting. Change of pace. Funemployed. Whatever you want to call it, we're doing it! No take-backsies. I've started this blog post hundreds of times in my head over the past few months and each time it turned out different...
1 year ago at our wedding, my dad toasted us and told me that marriage would be the biggest adventure of my life. Turns out, Dad was right. Although, I don't think Jeff or I could quite comprehend the extent of the adventure at the time. The fact that we are in a situation that allows us to actually take a trip around the globe is not lost on us. We realize we are extremely blessed and we are so thankful for the opportunities that have presented themselves.
Recently, we've been called, 'brave' and 'courageous' and told that we have major cajones. I don't feel brave or courageous, but I'll take the cajones as a compliment! I appreciate these comments because what I am feeling is a little bit of fear. Mostly fear of the unknown. Jeff and I are creatures of routine, and we pretty much just threw that out the window. But more than losing our routine, I fear the regret we would have if we didn't take a chance on something that is going to be challenging, rewarding and the story of a lifetime.
Quitting my job was not hard. Selling and donating many of our things was not hard. Packing up what we had left was not hard. Driving through the HRBT (in tunnel traffic) one last time was not hard. Leaving our best friends and the family we created in Virginia was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. I know it's not goodbye- you can't get rid of us that easy! To all of the people in Virginia that have touched our lives: Thank you. A million thank you's. We wouldn't be the people we are today without your love and encouragement. And to our families and friends who weren't there day-to-day with us in Virginia: your support means the world to us. I wish I had more eloquent words for all of you, but I'm getting emotional thinking about how wonderful our lives are because of the amazing people we have in our lives.
In the coming months we plan to take everyone who reads this blog on a trip around the world. You are about to discover our deepest, darkest secrets and learn more about us than you want to. We will probably talk about feelings. And eventually, Montezuma's Revenge. To those of you who stick it out to the end (besides our mother's), hopefully you get the unedited version of our future autobiography turned motion picture starring Julia Roberts as she 'finds' her self in an Indian ashram. I'm getting ahead of myself...
Get excited! The journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step...
-Cara