big big big news. i mean b. i. g.

Posted on by Elizabeth

i don’t know how to begin this blog.

i’ve got news. BIG NEWS. HUGE NEWS.

my heart is fluttering in my chest as these words appear on my screen. my breath is shallow. my fingers are sweaty on the keyboard, causing me to hit delete over & over again.

should i just come right out and say it? or should i give the background information first? i’m stuck. i’m watching the cursor flash, waiting for me to write. there is a long pause between each sentence.

i knew that this would be a year for adventure. i felt it as the clock struck midnight on new year’s eve. the feeling and belief that all things are possible in 2013, that the time to make some dreams a reality had come once again. i didn’t know how any of it would look, as everything was a blank slate. 2013 was, and still is, a mystery to me. but, i could not let go on new years day that overwhelming sense of “this is it.” what “it” was, was (and is) not specifically clear. but i believed. and i believed big. and it wasn’t only dreams and big things for myself, but also for my love, who has been cryptically writing on her blog about a big project she has been working on.

lina and me celebrate

well, the mystery is over. we can “let the cat out of the bag” today, so to speak. it’s official now. and while there is big news that my love is sharing, it is actually something really big for both of us. it was, and is, a joint decision.

are you dyin’ yet? have i irritated you enough?

we’re moving to the states!

yep. it’s true. here’s the scoop:

it was a random wednesday last fall, sometime in september, i believe. and all of the sudden, out of the blue, we decided it was time for lina to follow her dream of studying in the states. i think all the stars just lined up right, because moving to the states is something we have talked about off & on constantly. but, that’s how our life is and will be, since we are a bi-national couple who both love both countries. but, that night in september something changed in the universe. all the signs were right for lina to give it a try.

she began searching around. new york city. san francisco. the possibilities were endless. and then, we found it. at the university in asheville, north carolina (the city where i – and lina too – lived), lina found the major she wanted to pursue… new media. think graphic design, web design, all things creative & technological. this is her thing. her time to shine. her time to follow a huge dream she has had for so many years. she has always wanted to study in the states, but it was never possible. it is not easy to get everything worked out in order to make that dream a reality for international people. well, i suppose it’s a dream for many americans too, considering the cost of universities & college.

you can read all about lina’s school, the process so far, & her thoughts here. she’s also releasing this big news on her blog today.

as for me, well, i have always been drawn to asheville. as i said above, lina & i have discussed moving back many times. it is such a unique city. funky. eclectic. diverse. artsy. and nestled in the beautiful north carolina mountains. it is a place that feeds my soul. you can check out a few earlier posts about my love affair with asheville here and here .

now, what does this move mean to me?

well, it means that i must leave an amazing job, first & foremost. the church where i work is filled with amazing, supportive, and wonderful people. i work with fun, talented, crazy teenagers; but i also do things with & for the entire congregation. i am still blown away that i have managed to learn swedish, find a job, and work here. and doing something i love. so, of course, it is tough for me to leave this “perfect” job and all the people behind. i can’t even express how it feels to leave lina’s amazing family behind… we won’t talk about that right now. and besides, there are 6 months left to soak up all things swedish.

but, there is something waiting for me in asheville. i have no idea what it is. but, i believe in it.

as i have been going through this process with lina, i have been having some kind of parallel process that i had no idea would happen. this fall, i had photos published in newspapers. my blog picked up readers. i wrote more & more. basically, somewhere inside of me i began to know that it was time… time for me to focus on my writing. time for me to live my passion, while lina lives hers. of course, i don’t know what that looks like for me, but my soul tells me it’s time to set another part of myself free.

yes, the stars seemed to have lined up for me as well. it’s time for me to pursue my writing & photography more seriously. and asheville is just the place to mix my passions for those to things with theology & social justice all together. this decision, this move, this new chapter in life is something that we are doing together. the timing is perfect. and it feels so right.

i will, of course, need to find a job in asheville. something stable and good. but, also something that allows me to pursue my passion. luckily, i have great contacts already in asheville, so i am not worried. things always work themselves out.

so, yes, it’s time once again in my life, to jump. to tke risks. to embark on a new journey. and to share that journey with my love.

more than anything, though, i am so proud of & excited for my love. and for me. and for our dreams, which we are chasing until they become reality.

it’s time to follow the open road. to take off for a life unknown. to live life to the fullest. to follow the road less traveled once again. and head west!

“Freedom lies in being bold.” ― Robert Frost

peace & love.

Published by Elizabeth

Mystic. Theologian. Mentor. | Slow living in rhythm with nature.

0 thoughts on “big big big news. i mean b. i. g.”

  1. Liz, wow! I knew it would be that right from the title… And i only know of asheville from your blogs!! Wow! Congrats and good luck!

    Reply

    1. Åååå… snälla du. Men du kommer att hälsa på någon gång, eller hur?!! 😉 KRAM!

      Reply

  4. Dear Liz & Lina,

    I wish you all the best in this new facet of your lives. Isn’t it wonderful when things align (or, we like to think they do) in a space & time which suits us? I’m happy that it’s near your family, Liz- as you will both have the close support of friends & family. NC isn’t Sweden (with regards to same-sex anything, as we all regrettably know)- so it’s especially important & relevant that you have them there.

    I’m of the mind that it’s our various life experiences that “make” our lives- hoping more for the uplifting variety but understanding the opposite can still impart lessons & knowledge.

    So? What’s the time-line?

    🙂

    Reply

    1. Hey Tracy!

      So true about the States… but at least will be in a city which is extremely diverse and accepting. The laws don’t work in our favor, but the atmosphere and culture of Asheville certainly does. So that’s good. And yes, my family & our friends will be close by.

      Absolutely… all the different experiences only enrich our lives.

      The timeline is that we will move in the end of July. So we’ve got some good time ahead of us here in Sweden. 🙂

      Thank you so much for your comment! We both appreciate your thoughts & support!

      Reply

    1. Ja, det känns båda och för oss. Spännande och sorgligt. Men vi har några månader till! 🙂

      Reply

  7. Wishing you both all the best as you prepare for the big move! Maybe we will get to meet in person, finally!

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Barb! How fantastic it would be to meet in person, after all this time! I’d love that.

      Reply

  8. How very exciting. As you eloquently stated in an earlier post, (and I will most likely hack in trying to paraphrase 🙂 ) home is wherever you and your love carry your hearts. May you and Lina savor every magic step along your present journey — and always…xoxo

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much for your sweet blessing. I accept it & soak it in, and let it be with us on this next part of our journey. xo

      Reply

  11. (and incidentally, if you’re so inclined, there just MAY be a position opening next year that I already know that you’re good at.)

    Reply

    1. it’ll be great to be back in asheville!

      hell yeah, i am totally inclined! 😉 TCR was the best teaching job i’d ever had. i’d love to come back! i actually chatted with else a few hours ago, and she mentioned that she’d mention me to paul cupp (new dept. chair?!).
      so, go ahead and talk me up!

      xo

      Reply

      1. I’ll TOTALLY talk you up to Paul and Amy Rhoney. There’s a woman in our department retiring after this year (i’ll keep all editorial comments to myself.) It would be AWESOME to have someone there who knows what they’re doing, and even more wonderful to have you near again!

        I’m facing the last of your paperwork, incidentally. Just did a 3 year on a darling and got misty seeing your name on the old paperwork!

        Reply

    2. OMG! is it someone who i/we worked with before?! that would be crazy!
      thanks for lobbying for me!

      Reply

  12. Very cool. Congrats! I assume it’s a student visa she’ll be on? Maybe things will change while you’re there and they’ll recognize same sex marriage so you can stay on, if you want to.
    All the best!

    Reply

    1. Thanks! Oh yes, it’s a student visa. The only way it’ll work. 😉 I’m keeping my fingers crossed that things will change, yes. It actually could be possible…. maybe… 🙂

      Reply

  13. I sort of expected this post sooner or later. 🙂

    So it seems that after 3 years of living in Sweden (this summer) you will move back to the States! That’s exciting! I hope all works well with Lina and her school. Is she getting her Bachelor’s?

    Reply

    1. Hehe! Yeah, you knew it was coming. Lina will be getting a second Bachelor’s degree, as she has one in Social Work from Sweden. But, she will be studying something completely different. 🙂

      Reply

      1. It’s great. Time to follow your dreams!! And really, it feels good to start a new life! I’d recommend it to anyone.

        Reply

    1. Luckily, I’ll be “forced” to visit Europe on a regular basis, since Lina’s family is here. 😉 So, there will be plenty more photos to come! Just not everyday. But, I look forward to seeing Asheville with new eyes as well. Thank you!!

      Reply

      1. Do ;you read Georganne Spruce’s blog, Awakening to the Dance (awakeningtothedance.com/ )? She lives in or near Asheville and teaches spiritual classes, etc.

        Reply

  19. geezez, that is going to be a huge change for you two. However, dreams are dreams and you have to follow them. At least you will be closer to us then in Sweden.

    I was talking to my sweetie about visiting you in Sweden as we will be going to Latvia this summer and potentially flying trough Stockholm.

    However, we can visit you in the States as well…

    Reply

    1. it will be really different, but the states is where both of us feel we belong at this point in our life… so bring it on! 🙂 we’d LOVE to have y’all visit us! in whichever place! we are here in sweden until the end of july. so, just let me know! you’re more than welcome. xo

      Reply

  21. Hey – the book I’m reading at the moment mentioned Asheville and it made me think of you! Congratulations to both of you for this wonderful decision and all it will bring! Looking forward to reading all about the plans and implementation!! 🙂

    Reply

    1. awww.. cool!!! it really is a great place! not that i’m totally biased or anything. 😉 thanks for the well wishes, we are so extremely excited! i’m glad to hear that you’re still excited about hearing about our process, our move, and our new life! sounds like your life is in some planning/dreaming stages too. good luck with everything! 🙂

      Reply
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