there’ll be no goodbyes from me.

i don’t know how to say goodbye to sweden. but, it’s what i’ve been attempting to do for a few days now, and i will do even more so today. it’s the last of the farewells today. the countdown is in hours now. gaaahh. of course, it’s not goodbye forever, as in, i’ll never see people or walk the streets of norrköping again. no. we’ll be back, just like we visited the states often while living here. so, it’s not goodbye goodbye. it’s see you later.

though, it is goodbye to a specific chapter of my life. one that has been amazing and full of opportunities. and one that has had it’s share of extremely difficult and scary times as well. but, this chapter has helped to transform me. to add another layer. i have changed. and grown. and settled into myself even more. and my marriage has gotten even stronger. how is it possible to  keep falling in love with my lina over & over again?

i’ve spent a lot of time writing and photographing and connecting. i have felt my world expand and become more rich. not with things, but with moments. i’ve slowed down my pace of life. learned to cook more, and to like doing it. i’ve had fika after fika after fika. i’ve set the table and lit candles for just me & my love. i’ve soaked in some of the sweeter, finer, more traditional ways of life. i’ve walked everywhere, gazed at amazing architecture in the city and vast fields of yellow flowers in the country. i’ve learned a new language. i’ve traveled. i’ve laughed. and cried. and hoped. and dreamt.

and now, it’s time to turn the page. to begin again. bringing along all of the beauty and simplicity and and strength that i found in sweden with me. it’s time for this new page to be filled with new words, new adventures, new hopes, new dreams, new moments.

so, off i go! saying “see you soon” to sweden, and “hello” to asheville!

thank you for following my journey this far, and i invite you to hang on for a wild ride… let’s explore new adventures together! each of you, no matter where you live or who you are, have touched my life in one way or another. new readers, faithful ones, commenters. and non-commenters. all of you make a difference to me. and the support and love that i have felt, as i have posted photos and thoughts here, has been overwhelming.

so, since i’ve decided not to say goodbye to anyone, or any place, i decided instead to say a great big THANK YOU to each one of you reading right now. thank you for being you. and for filling my life with your special you-ness!

and as inspiration for us all, i gathered together some of my favorite quotes to leave you with today. as a reminder to dream big, to take risks, to learn new things, and most importantly, to listen to your soul. my gift to you.

freedom is found when we let go of who we’re supposed to be and embrace who we really are. ~ anonymous

and those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music. ~ f. nietzsche

twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. so throw off the bowlines. sail away from safe harbor. catch the trade winds in your sails. explore. dream. discover. ~ mark twain

from this hour, i ordain myself loosed of limits and imaginary lines. ~ walt whitman

all my love and peace i send to you.

see you on the flip side!!