We are now on the road, figuratively and literally in between our life in Illinois and our new adventure in Florida. Last week our family (my husband’s cousin who also happens to be our next door neighbor) threw us a Despedida Party, or a “going away party.” We barely had time to pack up our lives and move in this two week period, much less spend time to say our goodbyes to our loved ones. The entire family showed up to make sure we felt the love and gave us a proper send off.
They even wrote us words of encouragement and shared their favorite memories to take with us on our journey:
We started reading them once we hit the road and read only a few at a time so that they last the entire road trip. So I thought I’d use those same writing prompts as my way of saying goodbye see you later:
I will miss…
Watching our kids grow up with their cousins. I never had that experience growing up, so watching my kids run around with all their insta-BFFs has brought so much joy to my heart:
There’s a running joke in the family about opening up a daycare because…I mean, really? So many kids! That’s not even all of them…
There’s always new babies being born in this family! Alyssa is not even the youngest anymore and she will miss growing up with her other baby cousins:
Lastly, I will miss our neighbor/cousins. Our next door neighbor’s kids are just about the same age as Arielle and Zavier and second cousins. We had the carpool thing down, and had big plans for them to rule the school.
I will always remember…
You being there for Jeffrey and me. Always. You know the wedding vow part that goes, “For better or for worse, in sickness and in health…” I realize now that it actually applies to the entire family. Every happy celebration – our wedding, baby shower, new home, birthdays, holidays, New Years (yeah!), the birth of our babies – all of you were there with your smiling faces and warm hugs.
And every rough patch – when I was in the ICU on a ventilator, when Jeffrey’s father passed away – all of you were there with your support and prayers. Being accepted into your family and feeling loved unconditionally, I will always remember and appreciate that.
My wish for your family is…
Stay happy, keep laughing, and move to Florida! Seriously, that’s my wish…for everyone to move, too! The sooner, the better – or at least visit us once a year. Then Jeffrey can continue to torment and tease his sisters and his mom:
So as they say, “It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later.” And remember, we will only be 2.5 hours away by plane, 1 hour away from Disney, and 40 minutes away from the beach. P.S. No snow!
Good luck with the move! It’s a blessing to have a large extended family. I thank God for mine every day. Welcome to Florida!
Only 10 more hours and we will be there! I’m super thankful for my large extended family on both sides. We are super blessed 🙂
Wow that is a lot of babies!
I can’t believe you left already! Safe travels. And that was so sweet that they all threw you a going away party.
My cousin and wife moved to California and we were real close and the only family I had in Chicago-we really miss them! So I can imagine how much your family will miss you also!
Deanna recently posted…Charlotte Tilbury Nordstrom Event
Aw, it’s so bittersweet, isn’t it? And whoa – look at that party!
I’m often thankful for social media when I read about these things, because it keeps people in touch.
Tamara recently posted…Currently, Lately.
So bittersweet! I’ve been posting pics of our road trip adventures on My personal FB. Thank goodness for social media!!
True, SOOO many kids!! I’m sure it’s a bunch of fun.But like you said, it isn’t goodbye!
Rea recently posted…6 Memorable Places
I do miss seeing my kids play with their cousins. But now seeing them spend so much quality time with their grandparents (my parents) is also priceless!
i’ve missed so much, wait wha? youre moving?!
YES! I’ve already moved! It happened in a span of about 2 weeks. I don’t know how you do it – moving to foreign countries. I just moved down to Florida to be closer to my parents (and escape winter) and it was so hard!!!!
can’t beat the big filipino families and all those cousins!
catherine gacad recently posted…Happy 40th Birthday to Me
I never had cousins my age growing up! It was fun to see my kids have that experience…but not anymore now that we moved away. bittersweet!