We’re here. We’re so happy!
When I last wrote, it was Wednesday morning and we were crossing the border into California. After that we crossed an honest-to-goodness desert and some amazing mountains, about which more later. Scott drove us right past our new town and straight to the end of the road. He wanted the kids to see the sea first, before anything else. And just: wow. Pelicans! Sea lions! So much blue!
And then he brought us home. We’re renting an adorable little (very little) bungalow about half an hour’s drive from his office, which is right on the water. (His office, not our house.) Right now the house is crammed full of boxes (obviously) and we’re squeezing through the cardboard towers trying to find clean socks or, say, the washing machine. But our wonderful new friends had dinner waiting for us—two dinners, in fact!—and bags full of goodies from Trader Joe’s. We ate like kings the first night, if kings used paper plates. Last night, another feast, and this time on real plates because I did manage to get the kitchen unpacked yesterday.
People are so incredibly nice. And the internet, really, what an amazing thing. Here I am in a city I’ve never set foot in before, and I’m being showered with as much warmth and food as if I’d lived here all my life. Or, say, five years, which is how long I was in Virginia, where our dear friends and kind neighbors took such good care of us during the long weeks and months of Scott’s absence.
When I have to actually cook dinner next week, I may faint from the novelty of it.
We are loving the sight of palm trees and flowers wherever we go. And mountains! San Diego has mountains everywhere, who knew? Okay, Scott did, and he kept telling me about them, but really you have to see the city for yourself to understand how beautifully the urban development is speckled into the landscape.
The gang and I went out for a walk today. Around the block, we thought. It’s possible I should have taken a peek at the map first because it turns out that if you go left and left at the first two corners, you can’t go left again for about three-quarters of a mile. And then you will find yourself at the 7-11 your husband pointed out on the way in, a five-minute ride by car, which amounts to about thirty-five minutes by double stroller. Uphill most of the way. Fortunately we popped INTO the 7-11 before embarking upon the trip home, and the children now think we’ve come to paradise because there are ice-cream sandwiches within walking distance.
Scott was worried that I’d think the house was too small or too urban. It is both small and urban, but it’s going to be great. I’m writing from our enclosed patio which is really more like a sunroom. Nice cross-breeze, and lots of room for the kids to play. And, HELLO, he’s here. Well, not actually at this MOMENT, but he’ll walk in the door at dinnertime and we will rush him in a pack because we can’t believe the separation is finally over and we are TOGETHER.
And I think I should tell you that the first thing I saw when I opened the fridge was a new stash of Ritter bars. The man is a jewel. I’d drive three thousand miles for him all over again, if I had to.
Everything sounds wonderful – I’m so happy for you!
Glad to see you made it. It sounded like such a wonderful trip. I’m so happy that you are together again.
Congratulations! I hope you feel proud of yourself! You are truly a phenominal woman! You did it, and now you have your man too! God bless. Hope the settling into SD is fun; I loved living there!
I’m so excited for you guys – being back together and in such a great place. It’s wonderful to hear such enthusiasm for a place we loved so well (though we lived in apartments a few towns north). Can’t wait to hear about your first visits to the Zoo and the Wild Animal Park. Last time we visited San Diego we had to buy a season pass just so that we could visit it (W.A.P. that is) more than once even though we were only there for two weeks!
Sounds so beautiful! Mountains *and* ocean!
Hey man, what’s a Ritter Bar?
Ritter bars are pure bliss, that’s what they are. My own stash has run out! I need more. LOL
Melissa, so glad to see you writing again, and the house sounds lovely, because as you say, you’re *together.* Also, I love bungalows, so of course it’s lovely. 🙂
So glad you made it safely! Thanks for sharing your journey. It was amazing to hear of your adventures. Just think, we on the East coast are just heading into winter and you have PALM TREES! I’ll be sure to e-mail you lots of pics of our 6 ft snow piles, just so you won’t miss winter too much! But hey, you have Scott, so who needs snow!
I am so happy for you all. I know that seperation must have been a trial (ours always were), but it makes it all the sweeter to be together again.
I am so happy for you and for your family. How great to be together again. It sounds wonderful. The Cross Country trip is something that the older kids will remember forever. What a geography lesson! How fun it will be to get out and explore San Diego too! Enjoy!
God Bless your sweet family as you settle into your new home!
You are making me tear up again! I am just so happy for you all! You are in my favorite spot in the world too. Southern California is where I have always dreamed of living. And it was the most inspirational place I ever have been too! (writing-wise)
Many blessings on your new home!
Sherry
You’re really here on my side of the country!? Alright, just as soon as you settle in, I’m coming down to visit. I’m only about 2 hours or so from you. Worth the trip to meet you face to face for certain!
Wonderful post. It made me tear up too.
Home
Lissa’s got the making of a great novel just stringing together the cross-country driving posts….
I’m so glad you are all together again. What a journey! The thing that has touched me the most in following your journey is your amazing attitude. Not once did you complain about driving cross country by yourself with 5 kids. You took what could have been a horrendous couple of days and turned it into a positive, exploring, nurturing time. And this is why you are my internet hero!
Melissa,
Welcome Home! I loved reading about your cross-country journey. Our favorite SD Zoo visit, it was a little cold, a little cloudy. No crowds and the animals were up and moving! Welcome to California! Thank you for sharing your happiness and that you are all safe and together.
Lovely. All of it. God bless your new home and new adventure.
Can’t tell ou how much I love those little southern Cal. bungalows. They make me positively loopy whenever I see them. One day your girls will have their surfboards planted in the dirt next to the front door and you’ll know you’ve become full-fledged southern Californians.
Glad you love the breezes,mountains, cool air and most importantly, Trader Joe’s!!! 🙂
Enjoy the ocean, sniff the salt in the air and hug Scott… often.
Ah life.
Enjoyed reading your entire trip, you multi-tasking mama of five!
Julie
Welcome home! So very happy for you all!!! :o)
Oh I am so happy that you guys are together! I absolutely loved San Diego and I’m glad you seem to like it too. Don’t forget to go whale watching in a month or so. Or better yet, go down to Mexico where they raise their younglings. You can literally go up close to pet them ?!