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Our new house has a sun room.
Our new house has a huge family room with soaring cathedral ceilings.
Our new house has a first floor laundry room.
Our new house has a “Jack and Jill” bathroom that will connect Maddie’s bedroom to Katie’s bedroom. So cool.
Our new house is located in an amazing public school district.
Our new house has an office where I can sit and write.
Our new house is everything I could ever want in a home. Except…
our new house is a 45 minute drive from my mom’s house, and right now, that truth is breaking my heart.
Murphy's Law 
Oh Dana I can completely empathize with you on this. We are beginning a house hunt and I can not bare to move further away from my parents. Your new house sounds wonderful. Where are you moving to?
Your new house sounds absolutely perfect! We are in this struggle now too- the potential for better things lies farther than we would like. Wonderful piece with a sneak attack ending.
Oh your sad twist at the end. Your new house sounds wonderful. I’m the same way, I have a hard time being away from my mom.
I love the every pro to the new house is counteracted with being farther away from your mom. It is tough, but you will figure out the quickest routes:)
This is so sweet. 45 minutes seems like a luxury to me. I am 5 hours from my mom. But down the street from my wonderful mother-in-law. I am sure you two will stay connected as it seems you have a love that goes beyond the time.
I was not expecting that ending. It’s rough. But you figure it out. And after a couple times making the drive, it won’t seem so far. After having lived in Plainfield for 5 years nothing seems far anymore.
Ugh. That’s the downfall of what sounds like an amazing house. Tough one. At least they aren’t babies anymore? You’ll make it work somehow.
But it is ONLY 45 minutes from your parents house. I grew up in a small town far from all my grandparents and I was a little jealous of my nieces who lived near us for several years. Now I’m a 5 day drive away from my parents, both of whom are still alive at 82. We talk every weekend. You’ll figure out a plan and maybe develop some new traditions on the way to grandma’s house.
More and more jealous after every detail of your amazing home, Dana. Though, I feel your pain at the unexpected end. It’s time for mom to move! 🙂 You never know. 🙂 I loved some of the comments about ONLY 45 min. It could always be worse. It will all become routine and it will be just fine! 🙂 Fantastic slice. Captures so much…such happiness, excitement, sadness, and disappointment.
I had the expectation that the list of good things would continue straight through to the end. But it didn’t. Change is bittersweet and brings with it the good and the not-so-good. (notice I didn’t say “bad”). Try to think of it as just a little blip in an otherwise perfect next step in life.
45 minutes will seem like eternity, but will also make those trips more meaningful!
I admire your concern for the distance you’ve placed between you and your Mom, but 45 minutes will turn minimal after you’ve done it a few times. I went through the same thing a while back and now that I have a little one, it makes the time even more manageable. Don’t let that get in your way. Enjoy and rejoice in what you have!
That’s got to be a hard thought…I have about a 45 minute drive to my parents but somehow it works itself out…
Awww…. hopefully you’ll get accustomed to that. In my area, a 45 minute drive isn’t seen as all that bad… but I know it must seem like a huge gulf when you are used to being closer!
45 minutes is not a terribly long distance, but when you’re used to something closer, it will feel like an eternity.
Reminds me of the episode of “Everybody Loves Raymond” where they talked about the hot zone vs. the overnight zone, http://www.tv.com/shows/everybody-loves-raymond/why-are-we-here-2558/. According to Raymond, you’re living the perfect distance away. (But then again, I think you have a much different relationship with your mom!)
I was feeling so excited about your house as I read- it was absolutely perfect. I was jealous of that sun room! My heart sank on the last line. I was not expecting it. I noticed how that one was the only one that didn’t start with a capital letter- it makes it stand out not only by feeling, but my sight.
45 minutes may seem long to you, but not to me…my mom lives in London. Distance is relative – but love always feels close.
Oh sweet heart, I wasn’t expecting the end either…….sad endings today…..you will make it work, I am sure. Your new home does sound amazing:-)
Awww… very sweet. Make sure your mom reads this!!