Kyle's parents have sketches of each home they have ever lived in framed and displayed in their house. I thought that was such a cool idea, especially as a 30-something who really only clearly remembers growing up in 2 different homes. I certainly appreciated the aspects of both, stability and roots somewhere and adventure and change elsewhere.When Kyle came home that night in September with a proposition from his boss that we move to Budapest, Hungary I am pretty sure my jaw dropped. FIRST, where is Hungary? SECOND, how long do we have to live there? THIRD, I am 3 months pregnant - can I have my baby here first? :) Even though we had always thought about going abroad for work at some point in our careers, the moment of reckoning is always slightly unsettling. Are we ready for this?
As we quickly learned, we were! A short visit to Budapest in November gave me the opportunity to lay eyes on our future home and even meet a few friends that would make my first weeks there bearable. Have a baby....house on the market....have a garage sale....pack up....move! Off we went 8 months after that first discussion.
Tearful goodbyes were met with tearful nights the first few weeks. We did miss our family and friends dearly, but a little glass of wine, an ice cold European beer and some truly beautiful early summer nights on our patio overlooking the city eventually gave way to gratitude. We realized the endless possibilities this opportunity granted us: the sights we would see, the tender moments we would share as our little unit of 4, the new friends we would make, the insight we would gain. We were blessed in abundance with all of the above.
Our experiences as a family and as individuals while living in Budapest certainly shaped the people we are today - we like to think in a good way! I personally learned the art of true friendship and found comfort in my own skin. I got to be a stay-at-home mom to my kids and really enjoyed spending so much quality time with them at such an important age. Speaking for Kyle, I know he honed a lot of his skills as a manager of people and also got out of his comfort zone a few times by opening the door to new friendships. Caden found his footing in school and quickly took on a leadership role (I think he gets that from both of us). He also developed some of his first true friendships and I know he misses many of his closest friends. We used to joke that for Reese, nothing really changed when she moved! Mommy's milk was the same and her family was still there. However, she did probably end up learning more Hungarian than any of us because of her awesome babysitters, Elizabeth & Etelka. She did also make some lifelong friends - especially Kim and Monica :)
When we were preparing to head back to Dallas at the end of our tour we had a repatriation session at our home organized by PwC. We talked through the various stages of culture shock with our coach - the honeymoon phase, denial, anger and finally reconciliation. I thought it was a bunch of silly talk - hello - I am going home people! However, as I reflect on it today, it makes sense. Home had become Budapest.
As we have started to settle into our new house in Frisco, it is feeling like home too. We are a new normal, not as adventurous, but not as rooted either. Our itch for new experiences and travel has not been completely scratched. I guess one can't have an experience like ours and not wish for another similar one again.
I am happy to have the sketch of our Budapest home displayed in wherever our current home is. It will always be a reminder of simple things, joyful laughter, wonderful friends and a family of 4 that made a small flat across the ocean a home.
Final Hungarian ice cream treat!
