Grad School DONE. We Are Moving!!!

Grad school DONE.

Three life changing years and one pretty unbelievable experience is officially in the history books. WOW!

It is crazy that the moment we have anticipated for so long is finally here. We could not be more excited to soak in the joy of Matt's accomplishment as he receives his Doctorate in Physical Therapy!!! So now, it is time for me to brag on my hubby a bit.

I am one freaking proud wifey. I have seen firsthand the hard work and dedication Matt has put into the last three years to truly become the best therapist he can be. The biggest thing I admire about him is that he gives his all into everything he does. Even when he doesn't have to do research, volunteer, or show up to an event for school - he does it with joy. Despite the long hours of classes, clinical, and studying, he has always made me a priority through this season of our lives. I look at him as my inspiration, because that's what he has been these last three years. Honestly, he is my superman (and he'll hate me for bragging on him but I can't help it haha). 

We have had plenty of ups and downs through these last few years. There have been semesters that were rough on us both. I have felt like the needy wife and he has felt like the absent husband. But we have always been in this together. The biggest thing that has helped us throughout this season, second to our relationship with Jesus, is the commitment we've made to ALWAYS support each others dreams. 

I think getting married young gave us this unique chance that not too many people have - the chance to team up and create something together early in life, a dream and a story completely written together. I love that our story includes Matt supporting me through nursing school, working multiple jobs and sacrificing a year of his time to help me graduate. I love that it includes a chance for me to do the same for him during physical therapy school. He saw my career dreams, I saw his, and we made it work together. As wild as it has been, I am so thankful that we've been able to make those sacrifices for each other. They have made our love stronger and us closer as a couple. 

The last 7 months have been probably been the toughest for us both. Our lives have been a whirlwind of traveling, a long distance marriage, and a constant state of change as we have rotated through clinical and work assignments with school and travel nursing. Even with the challenges, knowing we have been making steps forward towards our future have made us feel secure through the process. 

Where are we headed next?

With graduation in just a couple weeks, we cannot help but be so excited for this next stage of life! Not only do we get to be together in person again, we get to start the next adventure we have been planning for almost a year now.

We have thought and prayed a lot over the last year about where we see ourselves settling down next. Although Miami will always hold a special place in our hearts, we have known for a while we would be moving on after graduation. After traveling around the country the past couple years, we had a pretty good idea of places we could see ourselves in the future. But our first visit to California in May last year completely changed our direction. 

We fell absolutely in love with California and everything it offered (minus the ridiculous rent prices haha). After spending another 2 months in clinical rotation and a travel nurse assignment last fall, our minds were made up and we made plans to move west. 

It has been a crazy journey since then, but God has been faithful. He cares about the big things and the little things. His love is so perfect and consistent despite the struggles we have faced - it has been the one constant through this season of change and uncertainty. We've seen him provide for our most basic needs as well as slowly make our dreams of moving to California a reality!

So... after months of prepping and lots of prayer, I have accepted a permanent job in SAN FRANCISCO!!! We are officially packing up and moving to California after graduation in May and couldn't be more excited for this new journey!

We will be selling/donating most our belongings and once again starting from scratch with whatever fits in our little Honda Civic. We'll be taking our time driving, spending the month of May on the road exploring as we head to California. With the last 3 years nearly in the books, here's to another round of adventures!