At the end of this month (March), I will have been living in Maryland for 10 years. TEN YEARS! That is the longest I've lived anywhere!
I never thought I would settle in Maryland. I never thought I would live in a place where I would have to worry about snow. In fact I even once broke up with a guy because his future plans involved moving to the midwest... and that would have been just too much snow! When I lost my orders to England, I picked Maryland just to give me a bit of time to get away from the stress in Hawaii. I had every intentions to move back to my little rock in the Pacific once my 3-year-tour was over.
This is not the only thing in my life these last 10 years that I never thought would happen. It is funny how you can never really determine what your future will be or who would be in it.
I like to say that I never thought I'd get married and to a point that is true. I wanted to be married, don't get my wrong but I honestly never thought I would find someone I'd be willing to tie my life with forever. The guys I dated, there was always a reason or two that I couldn't commit forever with. I loved many but there was always a part of me that knew they were not the right one, even when I wanted them to be. I was so picky, I knew what I wanted. I even made a list of what I was looking for in a guy...
Three months after moving to Maryland and I meet a guy who threw that list right out the window! I NEVER saw it coming! The best part, when I met Dave, I was also talking/seeing a guy who fit almost everything I was looking for, my "Mister Right" if you wanted to believe my list. However, it was Dave who I wanted in my future.
I'm still living in Maryland because of him and as much as I want to complain that I'm not living in Hawaii, I can't. It is because of him that I have a home that is close to my dream home (I had a list for that too, lol), an amazing baby, my dogs, etc.
I could complain about all the things in Maryland that I deal with, being so far away from the ocean, having to deal with cold/snow weather, etc. but Maryland blesses me with so many other things. The ability to see my parents when I want, most importantly the ability for Jocelyn to see my parents and her dad's side of the family. A job that pays me more than most people would say was possible for a woman with just an Associates. Places rich in history that we can explore. Being able to PLAY in the snow that I once hated with my husband, dogs, and soon baby. And a man, who as much stress as he brings me, makes me laugh daily.
Thank you Maryland for the last 10 years of blessings.
