The blog has gone dormant over the last few weeks. This was not caused by neglect but instead by a need for radio silence. Thankfully, I can finally share our big news.  We’re moving…to Oregon.

Yes, you read that right. After more than a decade in the Midwest, I finally get back to the South and stay for just two years before moving to the Pacific Northwest. Surprised? I can hardly believe it either. This might seem crazy but I assure you, it was not impulsive. After lots of prayer and countless conversations with Mr. McB, I knew it was the right thing to do.

I am  moving to Corvallis, Oregon to become the marketing associate director for the Oregon State University Alumni Association. I am awed to have been chosen for this job. While everything about Oregon is unfamiliar, the same is not true for the job itself. I am moving back to the world of alumni relations and my roots in communications and marketing. I am also honored to be working for an amazing professional and someone I consider to be a mentor. The team at the association has been very welcoming thus far. It’s not every day that you find your inbox full of sweet, welcoming messages from people you hardly know. It’s big and scary but I am also going into this with loads of support.

To my amazing husband, thank you for uprooting your life for me. Thank you for believing in me when I lost faith in myself. Thank you for talking me down from the ledge and showing me this is all possible. You made me see that I have earned this chance.

To my parents, thank you for your support and never trying to dissuade me from this decision even though it puts me thousands of miles away. You have always said we should do what is right for us; thank you for never making me feel guilty for doing just that.

To my sweet friends who have kept this secret, thank you. You know about the fears, anxiety, and, tears that lead to this decision. Thanks to you, I have been able to keep my head up.

To the students I work with, you are the best part of my job. I will miss you. You have brought laughter into my life daily. You don’t realize it but you have also given me the strength to make this decision. I see that many of you have left your homes and came to a country you have never visited before to make your dream come true. If you can do that, surely I can make it in Oregon with my loving, supportive husband by my side.

It’s times like this that I realize just how blessed I am to have a life filled with so many wonderful people.

There is a lot to be done in a short time and once again, I will be separated from my love for a few months. If you see me and I look like I need a hug, I probably do. I give you permission to go for it. If you see that I’ve been crying, understand that I don’t regret my decision it’s just a lot and I get overwhelmed sometimes. Even as I type these last sentences, I feel a peace coming over me. There is a relief in sharing this with the world.

I’m closing with some random photos of Corvallis and the surrounding area. You can expect many more in the weeks to come.