We have just a few days left here in Stuttgart, so today I thought I’d write a quick farewell post.
We moved here in late July 2020, so it’s been a little over two years. I would say that we loved every minute, but that first year was tough since Germany went full-stop crazy with Covid lockdowns and authoritarianism. We were guests in the country, so I’ll just say that I would have been a lot less willing to follow their directives if I had been a citizen. I don’t think the US media reported much on all of the demonstrations and protests in Europe about the above-mentioned measures. It was definitely an eye opener for us!
All that being said, this past year more than made up for 2020-2021. You guys have traveled with us as we’ve visited fourteen European countries (see our travel posts here). I managed to find almost every antique or vintage item on my bucket list, and my treasures have begun their journey back to the States, as have our cars. I’m not at all ashamed to admit that I shipped twelve chandeliers home!
(see our Germany vs. the US posts here)
We’ve made some wonderful, lifelong friends, some German and some American, and have enjoyed some of the most delicious food and wine that I’ve ever tasted. We’re shipping a couple hundred bottles of wine back and I’m already looking forward to being reunited with them on the other side.
Today we’re saying goodbye to our beautiful apartment and also our landlord, who has become a good friend. I took a few photos yesterday after I finished cleaning everything. It was a lovely home for us over the past two years and I’m sad to leave it.
(see our apartment–with furniture–here)
We lost our golden retriever, Harley, right before Christmas, and while I’ve missed him terribly, I’m also thankful that he doesn’t have to make the trip home. It’s so hard on our pets to be crated for so many hours. It’s also incredibly expensive–so few airlines will ship animals during the summer months that most military families wind up using private pet shippers. And they are expensive. On our way here, Harley’s travel cost us more than what we paid to ship my car overseas!
The cat is much easier; she can travel in the cabin with us. She had her exam and got her health certificate yesterday so is cleared to fly, and it’s only a couple hundred dollars to fly her home. She has no idea what’s in store for her!
When we arrive in the States, we’re going to stay with Amy and her family for about a week, and then we’re going to move to a corporate apartment just outside of DC for a couple of months. I’m not sure if I’ve “officially” announced it here, but my husband is retiring from the military after 32+ years of active duty, so we are in the process of transitioning to civilian life!
We haven’t decided exactly where we want to live, although we do have a list of favorite cities and states. Our plan is not to rush and to wait a few months to decide about his next job and where to settle. We haven’t had the luxury of being able to choose for ourselves for so long that we want to take our time. Of course, I can’t wait to settle down for more than 2-3 years and be able to really put down roots.
So, since I’m going to be homeless for the next few months, I won’t be able to do any home tours, but I’m sure I’ll find plenty of other things to write about. Thanks for sharing our European adventure with us, and for staying tuned for the next chapter! ~Christy
I loved every one of your German posts. Such a great time for you and so thrilled you got to travel and antique. Both are my favorite things to do. Can’t wait to see how your world unfolds in the states.
Thanks so much, Marty. I told Amy that she’s going to have to handle the fall and Christmas home tours (and maybe even the spring one!) since I’m going to be homeless. We’ll see where we wind up!
XO, Christy
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your service to our great country! I appreciate your selfless sacrifice and your unwavering support of your husband throughout his military career. May God bless you and keep you, as your take your time to determine your next course. I will keep you and your family in prayers!
Thank you so much, Brandi! It’s been a privilege to support him through his years of service. Thank you for your prayers as we seek His will for the next phase of our lives.
XO, Christy
Brandi said it perfectly…you’re a true lady as well. Class act. I hope you find your perfect forever home. God knows you and your husband deserve it. Thank you for the way you conduct yourself, truly in awe. Best wishes!
That’s a lovely compliment, Rebecca–thank you so much! There’s been a lot of bitter along with the sweet over the past thirty years, but he was privileged to serve our country and I was privileged to support him while he did. I can’t thank you enough for the kind words. Christy
Thank you, thank you, thank you to your husband, you and your children for your service to our country and all of us. I get emotional when I think about what your family and so many others have done for us. Many, many wishes for peace, good health and every other blessing as you move into your new life.
Sue, I feel the same about military families. They endure so much and we’re grateful.
Thank you so much, Nita. 🙂
Thank you so much, Sue. My husband always gets a little uncomfortable when people thank him for his service, even though he deeply appreciates it. He considers it an honor and a privilege, and I do, too. Thank you for your kind words and good wishes!
XO, Christy
Hi Christy,
I’ve missed your posts…internet, phone and laptop issues! I really just became tired of the frustration! I’m so glad you’re returning to the states! I have the utmost respect and appreciation for your husband’s service and the sacrifices made by you and your family! My friend got out of A’stan at the last minute but is still overseas. Military personnel experience so much that the public doesn’t know. My heart hurts to know you lost Harley. I agree that the return home would be difficult for him. Sending prayers and positive energy your way!
xo
Pat
Hello, Pat–
So good to hear from you! I understand needing to take a break from wonderful (but frustrating) technology. Over here, I never watched the news, only read it, and it made such a difference in my mental outlook. My plan is to unplug further once we’re back in the States.
I’m sure your friend has quite a story to tell. We still can’t quite wrap our minds around what happened over there last year; so much blood and treasure poured out in that land only to give it to the bad guys.
Sending you love and hugs from Deutschland!
Christy
All those boxes make me cause me anxiety, best wishes for a smooth move. Congratulations on your decision to retire. Military life is wonderful and challenging at the same time. I know that wherever you land it will be on your feet. Looking forward to hearing about your new adventures.
Enjoy your time with Amy.
Girl, I agree 100% about the boxes causing anxiety! I absolutely hate random strangers in my house, touching all of my things. Even if they’re trustworthy professionals, I just hate it. By the time the crates pulled away on Friday afternoon, I was so tired, but relieved to see it all go! Thanks so much for the good wishes; they are deeply appreciated!
Christy
This was a great way to catch up with you! I enjoyed all of your Germany posts and pray for safe travels back to the states. I’m incredibly sorry for the loss of Harley… I can’t remember if you posted about that before but returning without him has to be difficult. As others have said, thank you for your support of your husband and please thank him for his service. 32 years is a very, very long time… Your kids have never known a life that was not dictated by the government, right?? I’m sure you will all be happy to be in the same country again. Have fun with Amy… I know you two will have the best time together! Enjoy these next few months have been “homeless“…with that comes a lack of responsibility that is sometimes nice to embrace for a period of time 🙂
Thanks so much, Jenni! You are right that our kids have never known a life where we got to make our own decisions about where to live, what to do, etc. I think we’re all looking forward to seeing what that’s like!
Amy and I had the most wonderful week together. I didn’t want to leave her house for our temp apartment, but she’s still close by and is coming up on Thursday to do a little shopping with me. In the meantime, a one-bedroom apartment is an absolute snap to take care of, and I am enjoying the freedom. I’ll have to do a “home tour” just for fun!
Thanks for the kind words; I appreciate them so very much.
Christy
Good luck Charity! Both with your move back and with your new chapter in life. I too thought that once my husband retired from the military that I could put down roots. Well 4 moves later (And now possibly a 5th). I think it’s a real poss. Safe travels!
Heidi
See that’s what I’m wondering about…maybe we’re so used to moving that we’ll just keep doing it when new job opportunities pop up, or just to be near our kids. Every two to three years I start to feel that itch. I know you understand!
I really enjoyed your German posts so much. My dad was from Augsburg and he took us back several times. I still have some relatives relatives in the Stuttgart and Il)egan area. I would s love to live in Germany or France some day.
I hope you get the opportunity to visit again soon, Linda! I think I would live in the South of France if I could go back–I loved Germany but those winters are long, dark, and cold! The summers make up for it, though.
Take care,
Christy
Christy, I have enjoyed all the post from your experience in Germany, especially Stuttgart, as it was my home for 3 years. I also wish you and your husband all God’s blessings with your new life. The transition can be a tough one, experience speaking here(30+ also), but it sounds like you have good plan in place not to hurry the important decisions that come with starting a new life. I hope where ever it is that you embrace it with all the heartfelt warmth you have put into your other postings. God leads us to where we are eventually meant to be.
Kathy–
Thank you for those wise words and I also agree that God leads us to where we need to be. I keep asking him to place us where He can best use us!
It’s so good to be back in the States! Much as we enjoyed our time in Germany, I’m glad we came home before the winter. The energy prices were already through the roof when we left and they’re probably going to go even higher.
I appreciate the good wishes and you know that I will keep everyone who reads the blog in the loop as to where we wind up going forward!
Take care,
Christy
Welcome home Christy