The Beginning
So here it is. My first post. I figure the best thing to do is to introduce myself…
I’m Ashley. Some people
who knew me in college still call me Ashkat; either is fine. I went to college in Atlanta where I met my
husband. He’s my world and partner in
every way. We’re still in our first year
of marriage and even though our growing pains can get tough, I can’t image
being without him. Rounding off my
little family is our puppy Coco whose purpose in life seems to be making us
laugh and reminding us that we should drop more food on the floor. Our household is pretty small and tote-able
which should come in handy since we’re on the cusp of making our biggest move
since college.
For the past five years we’ve been living in the DC area and
it’s been… expensive! We love it and I’m from there so I’ll always be a
fan. Being a Redskins fan is even
engrained in my DNA for better or worse.
Our careers have also been doing well but as we get older and think
about expanding our family, we couldn’t shake the thought of a Southern
life. He’s from the South-- South
Carolina to be exact, and I fell in love with Charlotte while still going to
school in Atlanta. I used to meet him
there for quick weekend trips when we were home from school in the summer. So when a job opportunity became available
for him in Queen City, I encouraged him to apply. The dreams of owning a home and being able to
afford to shop at Whole Foods seemed pretty appealing. I was already applying for jobs in Atlanta
and we cheered each other on. We rooted
for each other through rounds of interviews and discussed things just like our pre-marriage
counseling listed (just at a louder volume!).
We raced each other to the greatest opportunities and hoped that our
next move would be our best move. Well a few weeks ago, he won. He got the job! He called so excited to tell
me that I don’t think the shock in my voice even registered with him. I was happy.
Really happy. But I was also stumped. What now?
All of the stress of a dream suddenly being a reality felt like I was
falling down really slow. Where will I work?
Where will we live? The what now?’s were rushing in through the receiver of the
phone.
After a good happy hour, he calmed me down. We agreed on the basics like the area being
nice, cheaper housing, the idea of taking on a new place together. These were the things I needed to hear. I took a vow on our wedding day “Where you
go, I go”. I meant this. I’m pretty independent, some say very, and
even though I’d never lose myself, I’m always open to stepping out of my
comfort zone. A push from him never
hurt. So sooner rather than later I’m
going to be become a Charlotte-an.
But the what now
still remains for the time. I’m a
thinker, and a planner. I couldn’t have
made it through life without it. And my
positivity is always a source of strength.
I consider myself a “glass half full” kind of woman. And when I can’t figure something out, I
write about it. Sometimes it’s post-it lists,
sometimes it’s a journal. This is my what now, my question to the world. Maybe someone gave you advice, maybe you know
where we can make friends, maybe you know the best brewery in the city, maybe
you’re going through some of the same things.
This is a place to share! Welcome
to my new home!
