I’m not sure how it has already been two years since our move from Nebraska to Minnesota. I has all truly gone by so quickly but here we are, approaching two years in our home. I promise this won’t be a yearly post because at some point you just can’t count out like that, its no longer a “big moment”. And arguably, two years isn’t really a big milestone either but it has been in this second year of living here that I feel truly settled.

I never questioned our move or felt unhappy with the decision, but with our second year came more routine, comfort and a sense of belonging. It felt right from day one but I no longer feel like a transplant. This is just home and I’ve worked hard to make it feel that way. We have prioritized exploring, meeting new people and of course making our house feel like a home.

When people find out we moved from Nebraska for Andrew’s residency one of the first things they ask is “do you plan to move back to Nebraska?” and that answer has almost always been a quick “no”. Not that we didn’t enjoy our time there, we just always felt that we were meant to be elsewhere, unsure of where exactly that would be. The more time we spend here in Minnesota the more I feel comfortable with the idea that this could be our home for years and decades to come.

Living here has really helped me to have more of an appreciation for all seasons (a former loather of summer here) and also prioritize time outside even when the weather doesn’t seem very accommodating. Even in the midst of winter we make it a priority to get out on what Jack calls “nature walks”. When winter weather often takes up nearly half of the year, it is so important to still get outside and make the most of it. After all, the saying goes “there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad weather attire”.

Because the warm weather months are a tad more limited here than they were in Nebraska I have also come to enjoy summer more than I ever have. I try my best to spend more time outside whether that means getting out for walks or simply enjoying coffee or a meal outside on the porch. This year I also finally have our garden going, something I missed greatly after our move. Our garden, albeit small and simple, brings me so much joy and gives me something to focus on and care for throughout the summer.

Minnesota life has truly helped me embrace the changing seasons more than I had in years past. Yes, winter blues still creep up come February and even March, but I’ve learned to make the most of the seasons and find ways to enjoy them until the weather changes again.

This move has been great for all of us in different ways. As someone who is horrible with change (I mean truly, truly horrible), I think this was exactly what our family needed. Of course there are downsides like being further away from some of our family, but overall we couldn’t be happier here in Minnesota.

If you take anything away from this I hope its that there is joy to be found in every season. Embrace the beauty of the present rather than yearning for what’s to come and life will begin to feel so much calmer.