Despite a significant age difference between my two older brothers and myself (I was my parents’ “surprise!” baby)– the three of us have always been very close- moreso now in our respective adulthoods than we were as kids/teenagers. We see and talk to each other regularly, have bi-weekly dinners at my mother’s house- and spend every holiday together. It’s been that way for as long as I can remember, and I had grown accustomed to the familiarity of it.
So it was a surprise (in a good way) when my brother Jamie told me that he, his wife and my niece were moving to Florida this month for a fantastic job offer my sister-in-law had received. I had known how much they wanted to move there at some point in their lives- so the offer came at an opportune time while my niece is on Summer vacation from school and can get acclimated in her surroundings and community before she meets her new teachers and new classmates.
It’s bittersweet, though- since they won’t be just a short drive away anymore and our holiday get-togethers will need to be adjusted to take travel time and accommodations into consideration. I’m so, so happy for them- but I’m going to miss them- at least until I go to Florida to visit or they come back to New England to say hello.
This past weekend was all about the “last hurrahs” in-between helping them pack up their belongings and get things organized onto the moving truck. My mom, cousin and I had an at-home ice cream social day for my niece- where we stocked up on every flavor of ice cream and every topping imaginable to make over-the-top sundaes after ordering take-out. There was also pizza and a cheeseburger cake involved throughout the packing process (not cheeseburger flavored- it was chocolate and yellow cake- but adorable nonetheless!)
There’s still a lot of work to be done before they leave, of course- and they’ve promised to check in while on the road and at their destination- but I’m already planning a possible Fall trip down South to go see them and check out their new neighborhood!
We’ll have to wait and see how that goes!
xo
Coffee & Chiffon 