KTThirteen weeks and counting.
After waffling for what seemed like an eternity, I’ve made up my mind. I forget even how this idea entered my mind in the first place, but it has definitely caused some struggle.
Austin has been a goal off and on for over a year now; in March, we went there just to put the idea to bed, but it only made my ambition stronger.
My boyfriend was uncomfortable with the idea of moving in the first place, so he offered a truce – move somewhere a little closer. I agreed, and his company transferred us to San Jose, California.
I found a job I like at a Veterinary clinic and his hours at work got longer…and longer…and longer. Rent was high, wages weren’t high enough. Life started to feel like a cliche Tracy Chapman song.
As I became more disenchanted with California, so did he. I think the straw that broke the camel’s back was paying over $100 for our water, trash and sewer bill – normally $10. We trekked out to Starbucks one night and wrote out the pros and cons of moving on paper napkin. The results were not surprising, but telling… his motivations were to be with me, to go to a place where we could buy a home, have a yard and raise babies; my needs felt shallow in comparison.
So here we are….we decided to make the move. He wants to finally put this dream to rest and make me happy. Some much needed financial breathing room made it possible, and now we’re looking at apartments and jobs and talking about selling all of our things. We’re both troubled by our loyalties to our companies, but I think life must go on.
It is my hope that this will settle my inner restlessness and bring about the life we were meant for – greenery and humid air, new friends, and a place of our own…a place to call home.
UPDATE
This move eventually resulted in the termination of our relationship. It’s been almost a year that we have been apart now and it was the most trying thing I have ever undergone. New people, new scenery, and new ideas have encouraged me to move on. As difficult as it has been, I have learned that there is a difference between giving up and moving on. 16 months ago
