This whole journey started several months ago, and really even further back than that. I'll cover the whole reason why I started looking for a job so far away from my hometown in later posts. Today's post is really about my trip to NC.
The whole day really came up much more quickly than I imagined. I made my decision to make the big move on November 27, the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Trust me, it was not without careful consideration and even a pretty intense amount of hesitation, espeically from my family. I sent an email that Sunday to my soon to be new boss, letting him know I was formally accepting the job. From day one the company has been treating me so, so well. My new boss let me know that a moving crew would be flying to MO to pick me up and move me and my things all the way to North Carolina. After a number of other conversations about the benefits and opportunities with the company I knew it was a great career move.
To be totally honest with you, looking back, I think I was numb to the whole situation until Christmas Eve rolled around. I looked around at my family and my boyfriend as everyone was screaming over each other, 5 dogs running around causing trouble, and a handfull of little children more concerend with wrapping paper than the gifts within, thinking to myself...I wonder if I'll be here for this next year, I wonder what the next year of my life will bring? Did I make a stupid decision? I have a boyfriend who loves me, I have great family, and a good group of friends that are within an arms reach. At that point, it was really too late.
The week between Christmas and New Year's Eve is a bit of a blurr, I was finishing up at work, trying to ensure my staff was prepared to take over and desperately searching for a panic button. Was I ready? Holy Shit! What have I done? I do have to say, that Tom (my boyfriend) was instrumental in supporting me through this entire process. He knew what a great career move it was for me and how this had always been a dream of mine. Every girl should wish for someone so supportive.
I spent my last few days in MO packing and trying to enjoy my time. Monday morning January 2, after a long night of packing, I got myself out of bed at 5 a.m. in preparation for moving day. I had to pick up the moving crew from the airport at 9 a.m. and I still had several loose ends I needed to finish up. Tom had to work at his new job that day so in the back of my mind I knew the minutes with him were numbered. I was packing and he was getting ready for work...total silence. Finally the time came for him to leave and I started crying...blubbering...gasping for air. I pressed my face in his chest and just cried. Somehow I got the out the words "I don't know why I'm crying, I did this to myself." He looked down and said--this is the right thing and the right thing is not always the easy thing.
I composed myself and by 8 a.m. was headed towards the airport. All I had was a flight number and a snapshot of the people I was looking for. The first passengers off the plane are the older gentleman with white hair and a younger boyish looking guy with his boots untied pracitcally dressed head to toe is Mossy Oak who I had seen in the picture. (From here on out...please insert a very very thick souther accent when I refer to any dialogue with folks in NC). Ablert smiles a big toothy smile and says "HIIII I'm Albert." I shake the other man's hand and we are on our way. We pile in my little tiny car and Albert says "From here on out, we gone take care a you."
To Be Continued....
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