"Why Are You Moving to Maine?"

The other day, I was telling a friend that I missed journaling and should pick it up again when I move to Maine. After journaling for much of my childhood, I stopped a few years go. I know myself enough to know that I would not find the time to actually write in a journal. So I thought I would give this a try. We’ll see how long it lasts.

The most common question I have been asked lately is, “Why are you moving to Maine?” or “Do you know anyone in Maine?” Well, let me explain.

When Jonathan and I got married, we often talked casually about moving somewhere different for a temporary adventure. Back then, it seemed like something we’d put on our “leap list”… but not something we’d actually do. But in the last year, we started talking about it more seriously. We started talking about places we’d love to move to-- our first choice being Colorado Springs, Colorado.  We wanted to be somewhere with lots to do outdoors. We wanted to explore a part of the country that we have never lived in.

We decided that Jonathan would lead the job search since he makes more money and I could be a substitute anywhere. Jonathan started applying to places in Colorado in February, but nothing was coming out of it. There didn’t seem to be very many opportunities for him there. Our decision became more real in April when I needed to decide whether I was going to sign my teaching contract, or resign. I labored over that decision for days. I loved my job, I loved my school and I loved my colleagues. But, I was dying for an adventure. 

So I officially resigned in April. That decision made everything more real. There was no going back now.

But, Jonathan still didn’t have a job. We decided to expand our search to North and South Carolina. He had a few interviews- but still, nothing came out of it. I was anxious at times, but for the most part I had a peace that we would end up somewhere we would love.  At the end of June, he found an opening in Biddeford, Maine, which is a few miles south of Portland. I google mapped it and as soon as I saw all the blue on the screen I made him apply right away.

A few weeks went by and he hadn’t heard anything. But, that whole time I just had a feeling. Like I knew we were going to end up there. I even actually told someone we were moving to Maine- and he hadn’t even had an interview. I was doing the dishes on July 8^th when Jonathan came running into the kitchen yelling, “Maine called! Maine called!” He ended up having a phone interview that afternoon, which was really weird since it was a Sunday. Three additional interviews and a weekend visit later, Jonathan officially accepted the job!

Do we know anyone in Maine? No. Not a single person. But, we’ll have each other. It will be a time for us to meet new people, step out of our comfort zone and lean on each other when things get hard.

So, why are we moving to Maine? Because it’s beautiful. Because it’s by the coast. Because we can hike, ski and kayak. Because we want to learn the New England accent. Because we're young without kids. Because we love new experiences. Because lobster is cheap. Because we want an adventure.