Leaving? Must party!

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I am constantly amazed by Mike's sensitivity toward me and my feelings. He understood how hard this move was going to be for me as I cried to him for over 24 hours as I thought about leaving a place I loved so much, where I had grown and changed and loved so many.

I was only in town for one night but he planned a surprise party where I was able to see and say good-bye to all those women who had meant so much to me. It made leaving so much easier and better and I will be forever grateful to him for loving me enough to put my feelings and happiness first during such a crazy time.

It was such a sad/happy night as I was able to say good bye to those I loved so much and who have loved me unconditionally in return.

We didn't own this house, but we surely made it ours with photos, decorations, and lots and lots of happy memories. 

This beautiful backyard was the source of lots of soccer matches, baby pools, gardens, kickball games, marshmallow snowball fights, real snowball fights, firefly watching, and endless BBQs and friendships. Something we will always treasure.

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These ladies made Michigan feel like home: Elizabeth Finkenbeiner, Mandy Tousa, Karen Mitten, Kali Stacy, Lisa Elms, Linda Lehrman, Brandy Boehm, and Jen Stavros

These ladies too! Karen Soderberg, Megan Hanks, Paula Alexis

And more! Marilyn Nielson, Diane Irwin, Melissa Orton, Paula Alexis, Karen Soderberg, Megan Hanks, Ginny Nobis, Rachel Bird and Myken Swaithes.

Some great friends gave me this darling print to hang and remember our time in Michigan. Can't wait to get it up.

I will always miss the gorgeous streets in Ann Arbor and Saline. They were all lined with wildflowers for most of the year. Every time I walked outside in Michigan I couldn't help but be stunned by the beauty and life all around me. Such a special part of the country.

Driving across country the first time was super fun with this crazy man. We listened to books, partied to music and talked and talked and talked. The second time in two weeks in a gigantic Penske was a bit less romantic. 

The next time I flew out, I was able to connect with Amy Strong who was a dear friend, Mia Maid counselor and visiting teaching companion. She was out of town during my last visit (but still helped plan the party), so when I came for one night, Mike sent me out with Amy and Jolene (who had just had a baby) while he hooked the car on to the trailer and packed some last minute items. It was so good to see them one more time and take a few photos of things I knew I would miss about Ann Arbor.

Me and Jolene with darling Avery Jane

We will so miss the school spirit in Ann Arbor and game days when every one wears blue and maize and says, "Go Blue!" to perfect strangers. It really is a magical town.

I will miss the history and character of every building and home in Ann Arbor. Honestly, the whole city is like one giant work of art.

We will miss the Big House, which is a serious presence in Ann Arbor. We will miss cheering along with 100,000 other fans for our team. It was a fantastic place to have boys and during the fall in Michigan, the excitement is palpable.

I will miss living in a town where art, music, diversity and culture is everywhere and fully appreciated. It was such a treat.

I will miss these lovely ladies who were there every time I needed anything. I learned so much from them! 

I will miss so much more and because of that, I am SO HAPPY that I have kept a record of our amazing time in Michigan. So grateful for everything we did and learned there and the relationships we made that will last forever.

Good Bye Michigan

Even writing this 2 months later, my heart still hurts.

Here is the back story in a rather short version:

We loved living in Michigan...especially I loved living in Michigan. While I was there I felt that I really was able to understand who I am and who I am supposed to be. It was an incredible time of growth for me where I felt stretched and pushed and used in every way. We had a fantastic neighborhood, the perfect ward, and incredible schools. Besides being way too far from family, it was an amazing spot for us.

Back in January we decided that we wanted to stay in Michigan for good and plant our roots there. The decision felt good and we began looking for homes. Nothing came up or felt right, so we plodded along. When the summer came and it was time to sign another lease, we did so, since we had not found a house yet.

Equation, a consulting company Mike worked for for a few months before heading to school had kept their interest in him during and after school. Mike did not think it would be the right fit, but after 15 months with a large, global consulting firm, often traveling 4 days a week and commuting and working more hours, weekends and holidays than we care to remember, they contacted him again. To make a very long story short, they gave him a loose offer, contingent upon interviews that  was great for our family, but it meant a move to Utah. This was all happening at the end of July, right before we were coming to Utah for a visit.

Mike flew out for interviews the week before we came for our vacation. He was wowed and impressed and everything just felt right. I remember the conversation we had over the phone after his interviews and I just knew it was going to happen. The opportunity was too good to pass up. We still needed to fast and pray about things, and the contract an offer weren't final as there were still things to negotiate, but I knew our life was about to change.

What I did not expect was the timing or the speed at which everything happened. While we were staying at my parents' house and Mike was in Michigan, he received the final offer and after fasting and prayer we decided it was right for our family. We thought we would go back until Christmas and move in December, then realized it would be better for everyone if we just went. It was a huge surprise to EVERYONE...our kids, family, friends in Utah and in Michigan. Writing that good-bye email was just painful and I bawled my eyes out, but it was the right thing and we knew it.

Mike's office is in Layton, so in one day we found and made an offer on a house in Kaysville (5 miles from his work!!), and got it. They even let us rent it until we could close so the boys could start school on August 26th. It is a great house in an amazing ward with a great school and the friendliest people around (we seriously received 14 plates of goodies when we moved).We felt led, guided, and blessed through every step of the way.

That being said, it was such a sad good-bye, especially because the boys did not come back with us. It was just easier, cheaper and much less hassle for me to go back, grab what we needed and have Mike drive me across country in our van. Mike stayed in Michigan to pack our stuff and finish work. Then, a few weeks later, I flew back to drive across country again in a UHAUL with Mike. Crazy, crazy, crazy!

Here are a few of the emails I sent to break everyone the news. I cannot express how much we were buoyed by the sweet, kind, loving and uplifting emails we received in return. We really made Saline our home and our relationships, as we said good-bye, were evident of that. We still miss being there!

TO OUR WARD MEMBERS:
Dear Sisters,

It is with a heavy heart and tears streaming that I write this email. Mike has been offered a wonderful professional opportunity in Utah that we have decided to take. It was unsolicited and came much more quickly than we could have imagined. After fasting and prayer we believe it is the right move for our family.

Just because something is right certainly does not make it easy. In only one year, you have made Saline feel like home for us. I told Mike, "I don't know how we can go...Saline is my happy place." I cannot thank each of you enough for pulling us in and holding on tight. We felt loved from the moment we moved in.

We have made so many incredible friends and strong relationships that we are so sad we will not be able to continue in person (hooray for technology!) I always tell people that our ward does everything "Just Right." I have learned so much from each of you about what it means to be a follower of Christ and lead your family and others to the Light. I love you all so much for all you have taught me and my children.

The worst part of it all is that in order to get the boys into school here, they will not be back at all to say good bye. I will be home Thursday and Friday morning to pack up our necessities, then drive back to Utah. Mike will oversee the move a little later.  We hope to come back soon to visit and give the boys a chance to say real good-byes. My heart hurts just thinking about it. 

I will miss you all and Michigan more than I thought possible.

All our love,

TO OUR SOCCER FRIENDS

To our soccer family, 

There have been some very unexpected changes in our family over the last week. Mike was offered a really incredible professional opportunity on Friday out west close to family and we have decided to take the job. This means we will be moving to Utah next week in order to get there in time for school to start (we are on vacation in UTah right now). The boys will be staying with my parents so they will not be back to say good bye. This was a completely unplanned surprise for us all and literally hurts our hearts.

One of the saddest parts of our move for the whole family, and especially for Parker is that we will not be playing soccer with you all this year or in the years to come. We were so excited about the team this year! One of the best things about Saline was being on a team with you all and being coached by Leigh. We loved every minute of it and every relationship and memory that we made with you. You are all fantastic, supportive, wonderful people as are your children and we will miss you like crazy. 

If you ever want to ski on real mountains or are looking for a reason to drive across the country, we would love to have you visit us. Please keep in touch! We can't wait to hear all about U9 and U8 black.

TO MY YOUNG WOMEN

To the best Young Women in the country,

This was one of the hardest emails to write, because I just love you all so much and I HATE that I am not going to be in Saline to watch you all throughout the next few years. As most of you know by now, our family is moving to Utah for Mike's job. It is a great opportunity for our family and after fasting and prayers we feel good about the confirmation we received. How grateful I am for personal revelation! I am also so grateful for the holy ghost who has been with me the past few days as a comforter. I was telling Sister Strong that I pretty much cried for 24 hours and many of those tears were shed as I thought about not being with you all. 

You are all the most gorgeous girls..inside and out. Each week I was amazed by so many things...the darling and modest outfits you put together :), your testimonies, your willingness to share spiritual experiences, you ability to feel and recognize the spirit, your acceptance of service, your dedication to the gospel, your willingness to do hard things and your desire to follow Christ. Each week I wondered who I might be now if I was anything like you all are at your age. I feel like I would just be unstoppable, which is what you all are. I literally cannot wait to see who you all become! The thought excites me and makes me smile. Please stay and touch and keep me in the loop of all the wonderful and exciting things you have planned.

I want you all to know that EVERY good thing in my life (my husband, my children, my friends, my education, my talents, my opportunities to serve and grow, and YOU) has come because of my decision to be dedicated to this gospel and my desire to follow Jesus Christ. My saddest times have always come when I have decided to distance myself from God and the church. I know with all my heart that this gospel is the plan of happiness...not plan of ease and luxury but the plan of happiness, in good times and bad. Please stay strong, grow your testimonies, associate with good friends, and support each other! You are all too great to not shine. 

I love you all more than you can understand. If you are every in Utah, shoot me a text and let's get together. You always have a place to stay at my house. I will pick you up and take you to EFY or a sports camp any time! Have a great time at high adventure...not sure you know how lucky you are to have a leader like Sister Strong! She is amazing!

Lots of Love!

Sister Romney