Our plan, and I use that term loosely, is to stay here until all of our kids are in college, by which time maybe we'll be able to retire and either move somewhere else (if we want to) or do some traveling (if we can afford to).
We do love being here. I spent the first 17 years of my life itching to leave, but after living in a half-dozen other cities, and visiting many more, we returned with a renewed appreciation for the Pinehurst-Southern Pines area. More and more old friends are trickling back here, too.
We moved back about four years ago for Matt and Jacob to start our company. Knowing people is key in a real estate career, and here, in a county overflowing with people who are related to us and people we played high school sports with and people Dad taught 20 years ago and church members who knew us before we could talk, a lot of groundwork was already laid. The company's still primarily what keeps us here. If Matt had to find another job, we'd look around town but we'd also be open to moving wherever.
Having so much family around is a GREAT benefit of being here. (Every time the holidays roll around I am so thankful we no longer have to travel to see most of the people we love. The first couple of years we were married it was stressful rushing into town for just a few days and trying to make sure everyone got equal time.) I know exactly how lucky I am to have had lunch with Amanda today and to be meeting Mom for coffee tomorrow and to be only five minutes away every time Granny calls with a surplus of vegetable soup.
It thrills me that our baby will have such easy access to his or her first cousins, starting with Riley and Brianna. I eagerly anticipate all the free babysitting headed our way -- and am just as excited to return the favor.
So, short answer, who knows. We expect to be here not forever, but for a long time -- but I could find plenty to like about raising our family almost anywhere, should the opportunity arise.
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Riley picture of the day
2 comments:
Thanks for answering my question. I think having family around when you have children is just invaluable. My sister has so much help--and help that she can trust implicitly.
I like to tell myself that if you DID have to move, you would consider Charlotte and Charlotte alone. If I'm mistaken, please don't correct me.
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