The Summary
In the last three years, I’ve been to Texas eight times. Last Spring, I stayed a month. My then-remote position made it possible. Though I have seen and stayed in several Texas cities and towns, the state is beyond enormous and I’ve barely scratched the hot soil. I’ll be posting on Tuesdays about my travels.
Why Texas?
Our youngest daughter is married to a Texan. They met at their university in the gorgeous state of Virginia. We knew he was from Texas. We didn’t know he was taking over a family company after graduation. She doesn’t want to start a family unless her family is right next door, so we’ve been contemplating a move 1500 miles south.
The Longer Backstory
When our kids were young and money was tight, we annually drove from NY to FL once a year to escape the endless gray sky and heavy February snow.
Our usual overnight stop was in Virginia and from the moment our weary bodies first meandered into the hotel, I loved that state. Over the years, we toured around D.C., Arlington, Alexandria and a few other locations. While those areas are the hub of so many important agencies, it wasn’t until I was out in Fredericksburg, some areas of Richmond, and eventually Charlottesville that I believed we should live in Virginia. I received a job offer at a university in VA ten years ago. I was so elated but we had to pull the plug when we discovered the sports our children played were a minimum hour drive away. It didn’t seem wise to transplant three teenagers to a place absent what they were great at and loved doing.
Virginia has lush foliage. It’s historic. Depending on where you reside, the ocean is likely only hours away. Four seasons but winter doesn’t live on forever like it does in my part of NYS. The Blue Ridge Highway is a favorite. We hiked. I haven’t researched why Virginia is for lovers but I love Virginia.
Four years ago, my husband and I were engaged in serious discussions about where we would relocate. Leaving had been on the table for years but was finally imminent. Our youngest was in her senior college year and our twins had graduated from their universities and were gainfully employed. One in town and the other in Florida.
My husband was pushing hard for Florida. It’s home to many friends and we have traveled the state extensively, becoming highly familiar with many areas. I’m an ocean person and sheller, but I was still firm on Virginia. Florida is vacation.
He made great points that VA still has higher taxes (not NY-high of course) and winter weather. I emphasized that the tropical humidity is stifling and dry heat is better if we must live in a hot climate.
Then, our discussions stalled when life hit…
2020
- Covid shut down the world and our eldest daughter’s role became remote, moving her back to NY from Florida.
- Half-way through 2020, Covid significantly affected my husband’s job – a transfer was no longer an option.
2021
- Relo discussions were back on the table. We started working toward compromise by touring suburbs of Charlotte and Raleigh. Still close enough to drive to the ocean but warm enough to never see snow…
- My urgency elevated, knowing the kids were seriously dating and I didn’t want anyone making a “home” anywhere but near where we landed!
- It was confirmed our youngest daughter would be grounded in Texas during the 8-year takeover. Prior, there had been a sliver chance they wouldn’t be required to remain geographically close. Why would we relocate anywhere other than where we had family? Our twins had no idea where they wanted to settle down but they too wanted low taxes and nicer weather. Texas offers both.
- Life is filled with ‘moves’ we never planned but God ordained.
- Our daughter has been back home as many times as I’ve been there. The distance has not grown easier. She misses us deeply and we her. She couldn’t have imagined the culture shock in central Texas. This wasn’t Dallas, Austin or Ft. Worth which more resemble home with lots of trees, bodies of water and parks…
2022
- My husband had cancer surgery. The man is a machine. A tank. Always outdoors and in motion. He refuses help and does everything himself. His nickname is Superman. But even he was susceptible to kryptonite and the diagnosis scared us STILL. Surgery was 100% successful and we thank God.
- My husband received a job offer that you work for your whole career. Sure, we rejoiced. We also scratched our heads…really, now? What is God doing? Are we supposed to stay in New York?
2023
- Our eldest who moved back home from Florida relocated to Dallas.
- So, two out of three are in Texas. Start planning again…but his job…no way was he leaving the job at 60. He doesn’t go into an office, so keeping something small in NY while living in TX was possible.
2024
- Our son-in-law worked out a way to commute to the business while moving them closer to city suburbs that feel more normal for our daughter, much more enticing for us, and to give them greater social opportunities.
- Just when we readied to sell, our eldest daughter moved back to NY from Dallas, which I wrote about here and here, earlier this year.
- In early May, the pastor talked one Sunday about making decisions. Not always knowing what it will all look like in the end, but to move forward in faith. Walking to the car, my husband who is the least likely person to discuss a sermon over where we’re going for breakfast summarized pastor’s words and then said, “I am confident we should sell the house this summer and get an apartment while we figure out our next move.”
- The house selling in less than 24-hrs significantly over asking was confirmation that it was the right decision.
So, that is journey of how the Monday moving series began. It comes along with Texas Travels on Tuesdays for a few weeks, then periodically. Because my daughter lives there and we are seriously contemplating the “great state” becoming our new home, I want to know more. I’ll share photos and thoughts from the eight trips.
Thank you for reading my post today and have a blessed Tuesday!
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Tales from a Mid-Lifer 
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