A Home Away From Home

Last week I visited my family. For those of you who don’t know me I moved to Southern California over six years and a half ago. I originally lived in Northern California. I live about seven hours away from family members (if we drive) or a short one hour and a half flight. So spending time with them isn’t quite as frequent as I would like.

The time we spent together last week went by so fast. The first day of being with them was pure bliss. The rest of the time I was dreading the imminent goodbye. As for the goodbye its self wasn’t easy. After six years it doesn’t get any easier.

Something I have learned over the past couple of years of living away from my hometown is that your family stays with you. They may not be physically close to you, but they follow you wherever you go. Now that I have my own children I can see some of my parenting strategies to be similar to those of my parents. After all, I am my mothers daughter.

I have adjusted to the fact that I won’t see my family and childhood friends every holiday, birthday or even on a regular basis. I can’t invite them over for dinner, I can’t catch up with them over brunch, and I can’t attend my niece or nephew’s sporting events. There is so much that I miss out on and let me tell you being homesick is a real thing. Many times there is nothing I can do but let it pass and anticipate my next visit.

I’m not going to lie that when I visit my parents I take advantage to leave my kids with them as much as I can. Not because I don’t want to be around my kids, but because my husband and I rarely get a date night completely away from our kids. Even though this has sparked our creativity and have managed to have weekly dates in our home after our kids are in bed for the night. (This is a totally different topic, but every couple needs a date night).

Something else I’ve learned is that some friends become like family. I REALLY appreciate their kind gestures toward me and now my kids. Our friends have become the ones to always have an open invitation to babysit in the event that my husband and I are desperate to go out alone for a couple of hours. I cannot thank them enough. Those friends whohavebecome like a familyare a big reasonI am able to live away from mine.

The best thing that living far away from family is that it has taught me to cherish moments I spend at home or my home away from home. I am unable to take any of my family or friends for granted. Life moves quickly and it’s important to be present in every moment.

Here are some pictures of my family from the last couple visits.