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Hometown

Topanga, CA

Joie de VIVre

Raising my 2 1/2-year-old daughter and eagerly awaiting the birth of my son, living life to its fullest, and traveling with my husband.

VIV Moment

My husband, daughter and I recently moved from California to Maryland for a great job opportunity and a life adventure. Our lifestyle was completely different as we had moved from a large home to a small townhouse, and my husband was working a minimum of 12 hours daily. While we only ended up being there for nine months (instead of two to five years), our experience was potent.

We were unbelievably fortunate to move into a complex with two other recently transplanted families, and this made the flux in our lives so much more livable. What could have been a very lonely, alienating experience for a stay-at-home mom became a truly special time because of these people. Our kids loved each other and the parents all became good friends and relished our different backgrounds and experiences.

One fall day in November when the two other mothers and I were hanging out in the park with all of our kids, chatting about life, problems and the world. I realized at that moment that our adventure was more like a sociology experiment in what makes a total change in lifestyle heaven versus hell.

I have spoken with different people who have done the same type of move, for whom it has been a living nightmare, and when asked why, they each said they had not made any real friends. What I learned on that momentous day was that as long as one is surrounded by good friends and loving family, one can endure anything, because it is the people who surround you that make life worthwhile.

Now back in California, I can truly say I have an even greater appreciation for the friends and family that we left behind when we had moved, and I am so grateful for the new friendships that we made in Maryland.

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