Have you ever had a dream that felt so big you were certain it would always be a dream because it felt so impossible? My husband and I have had a few of those. But over the last few years, as my business has grown, we’ve been so grateful to see many of them become reality.
I remember all those years ago when we started dreaming about our retirement. We wanted to retire early and live in the city and have a house in the mountains. We’ve talked about it many times over the years but truthfully, it seemed like just a fun conversation … not like anything we would ever be able to do.
Fast forward to a few years ago when I started changing my thinking and miracles began to happen. My business is booming and all of the sudden, we realized we could potentially do this. And soon!
Can you guess how I’m feeling?
I’m excited and nervous all at the same time. No … I’m bouncing off the walls excited and nervous at the same time! We are getting ready to embark on a dream that we have had since we were about 30 years old (which is longer ago than I care to share).
My husband has always lived within about 5 miles of where he was born and raised – we even go to the church he was born into. I moved to Georgia when I was 11 and have lived in the same area since then as well! We’re suburbanites through and through. We live about 30 miles outside of Atlanta and honestly, we’ve loved it here.
But the time has come for my youngest to graduate high school and we will be empty nesters when she heads off to college in the fall. We are excited for her to grow and experience college life and, of course, we pray she always falls back on the values we instilled in her all these years.
With this chapter coming to a close, we started really dreaming again and we made the decision to go for it! We can easily afford it, what do we have to lose? It’s time for US! It’s time to live a life we never truly thought was possible.
So, here’s what happens when you start telling people your plans. I would say 80% of my friends have looked at us like we have 2 heads. Like we are flat out crazy! I heard this more times than I can count “How do your kids feel about this decision?”
Like it totally matters. It so happens that both our kids are excited about the move. But, even if they weren’t, whose life is this anyway?
Then we have our cool friends who are so excited and want to join us! We are moving to Midtown Atlanta. Into a high-rise condo with floor to ceiling windows and something about 20 floors up.
I’ll be journaling about some of the fun things and some of the challenges. We have a home we have to sell, furniture that must go and some things that have to go to storage … and a child to move to college.
We can’t wait to walk everywhere … to the park, to restaurants, shops and the grocery store. We can’t wait to wake up and look over the skyline of Atlanta and enjoy the beautiful view!
We are SO excited to start OUR dream. A dream that was started almost 20 years ago.
Dream big!
Lori and Joe, I pray blessings on your move and empty nesting adventure! Have a blast!
Maureen
Thank you so much Maureen…that means so much!
Exciting times- big changes but living your dream is wonderful!! Go for it! We will miss you out here but wish only the best for you!
Thank you so much Pat! I’ll be back often!! :)
I am so very excited for you & Joe!! I’ve heard you mention this in the past and it is inspiring to see your dreams come to fruition! I am looking forward to sharing this journey with you and gleaning your wisdom in making our dreams a reality, too!!!❤
Thank you Alice! So glad you are a part of it!
I totally get it Lori, for us it wasn’t so much a dream although we always wanted to live at the beach but more life changing events that make you realize that life is short and you have to embrace t. We raised our kids to be independent and self sufficient and always encouraged them to live life, not to worry about us…. it’s a two way street more parents need to chase there dreams and not continue to live through their children. Just my opinion, don’t get me wrong I love my kids and we have a great relationship maybe even better now that we have a little distance between us! Simon and I are truly enjoying this next phase of life, I hope you and Joe has as much fun as we are having.
You guys have always been such an inspiration to us! Thank you for showing us how it’s done!
How very exciting! Adventure and dreams come true! You deserve it after all these years….AND because you are such a beautiful person! I aspire to be like you one day, and can’t wait for the day that we finally get to meet.
Thank you SO much! Your kind words mean so much to me!
I’m so happy that you are realizing your dreams … God’s blessings have been abundant to you and your family and he has given you this amazing opportunity … and I hope during one of my visits to the Atlanta area, I will be able to visit and see your beautiful new home. CONGRATULATIONS LORI and JOE
Thank you Lilly! We can’t wait! Praying we find the perfect place.