2021 Review- Lesson Learned

In all honesty this year was nothing like I thought it would be but yet was still amazing. In the Spring of 2021 Ry was approached about a job opportunity in Maryland. He would be working with a close friend and the job would help him get the leadership and business experience that he was wanting. After talking the idea over it came down to “why not.” I am so grateful we took the leap because this experience is on I will remember for the rest of my life.

At first the move felt so daunting. We knew only Ry’s friend that he was coming to work with and that was it. I look back at this time when we were weighing the pros and cons of the move and I am still surprised how easily the answer of yes came to us both. Now being here I have realized why. Maryland and the DMV (D.C, Virginia and Maryland) area are such a fun places to live. I have what I would call a pretty strong travel bug (Obviously I made this blog to highlight that passion in my life) and living out here I feel like that travel bug is satisfied over and over again. Everything we do here is new, exciting and memorable to me, we are on a constant adventure. The only word I can think to describe this feeling is freeing, exactly like the feeling you get when traveling. Not only does it satisfy my travel bug, I also have loved getting to see the world through different eyes. The diversity of the DMV area is amazing. The is culture rich here. I have experienced this particularly through my ICU nursing job in D.C. Its funny because this was actually something I was originally really worried about. I feared that our differences as people was something that would drive us apart and even keep me (somehow) from making friends and having connects with others. But I have found the opposite to be true. I feel a deeper connection and friendship with those here then I have before. Our differences are what make us unique but they are also what drive us to get to know each other better. I have noticed as I have tried to better understand the many cultures and differences I have encountered, my life has been edified. How wonderful that we are all so different from one another! This is not only true for those from different countries but also those from different states here in the U.S. Leaving what I knew and where I grew up helped me out of my comfort zone immensely.

This has to be the biggest lesson I have learned this year. Differences do not divide us but help unite us. Its a lovely realization. Although I do wish this year could have been full of more travels to different countries, I do not feel that I have missed out on anything. But still really hoping 2022, by some miracle, can bring a little more international travel.

As this year progressed Ry was then offered another job, where he was working before our move to Maryland. We started the process again of talking through all the options and decided that this new job offer was the best for our long term goals and family. This decision will eventually lead us back to Utah. Which, if I am being completely honest, is still difficult for me to come to terms with. Leaving everything I have mentioned behind seems so sad. I want to continue growing in the ways I have here and going back to where we grew up and to everything I know almost feels like a step in the wrong direction. With all that said, I do know its where we need to be, no question. (and of course being closer to both our families is a bonus)

There is so much more I could write about 2021. There were many life lessons and experiences had. But this was definitely my most life changing and pivotal point from 2021. I am excited for what 2022 will bring, it always ends up better than I could have ever imagined or planned. Thanks for reading and Happy New Year!