There is something about Autumn in this Village that is even more magical than the rest of the year for me. Maybe it's the fact that we first fell in love with this town and decided to move here during this time or maybe it's because we really started to get settled in during fall. Maybe it's our town's Fall Festival or the changing leaves, frisky chipmunks and crisp days.
This past weekend we went to our first Village block party. I left that evening even more full of happiness for my life here. I know you'd think that wasn't possible. I wish I could convey just what life in this town means to me. I wish I could explain to you what it feels like when you spend your whole life looking for something, not even sure what, but then you find it and it's even better than you imagined! I'm sure most of you have a place to go back to that feels like home. I've never had that. This place is that thing for me. And because I've never had it, but always wished I had, I appreciate it with every fiber of my being.
You know that feeling when you first discover something or someone and you think it/they are wonderful and then the infatuation and pixie dust start to wear off and you don't see it/them the way you first did? I thought that might happen here. It hasn't. Every time I step foot on Main Street, every time I go to a town event, every time I run into a neighbor at the farmers market, every time I order a lemon scone at the coffee shop and the cashier remembers I want it warmed up extra, every time I step out my aqua painted front door, I feel it.
This morning I had to rush my pup to the vet in our old town. I have only been back there 3 times since we left. I decided to drive by my old house. Except for the neighbors, I don't miss anything about it. It's all the same, but I'm so different. I didn't truly become who I was meant to be until I moved here. Following my heart and chasing a dream changed me.
I cannot imagine living any other life. Before this place, I never fully felt like my life fit me. As we settle in for another Autumn in our magical little corner of the world, I honestly can't imagine any life other than the one I am living. I'm so filled with gratitude and contentment and joy. I'm so thankful for this place to finally call home.
It sounds like you live in a quaint village. I feel the same way on where I live now down South. Seems like everyone knows each other since it is a smaller community. In fact, I still have neighbors welcoming me and visiting our home. Not quite like that on where I cam from before. Neighbors seemed to stay to themselves.
ReplyDeleteHappy fall!
Sounds like a little piece of heaven to me. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is so awesome that you feel that way about your town!
ReplyDeleteThat feeling of 'home' is so hard to attain. I'm so glad for you that you feel so settled and at peace with life in your village. It sure looks lovely!
ReplyDeletei love the little glimpses of your town, looks so cute. it is such a wonderful feeling to know you are right where you should be, huh? : ) have a great week!
ReplyDeleteI am living through you! I have been trying to move out of my suburban Columbus development, and into a little village in a more quaint town. And it's not happening because of the housing market. I spend many weekends and holidays in that village though, trying to give my kids an appreciation for a different kind of life, support the independent businesses there, hit the farmers market, have a sense of community, etc. Maybe someday...
ReplyDeleteLooks awesome!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I decided to visit your spot today Jen. You summed up what I was feeling for my own lovely town when I went to the post this morning. As I came down main street, I was looking at all the homes on my way by and found myself asking...oh I wonder how they are doing today---over and over as I passed the houses of my friends and neighbors. I loved reading how your town makes you feel. Living in small towns and villages is such a blessing (my own has about 500) such a sense of belonging comes with it.
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to have that home town feeling and love where you live! Your little village does look very special, and a nice place to raise your children. Your joy is lovely to see and comes through in your beautiful blog. I do hope your pup is o.k. xx
ReplyDeleteI really do understand how you feel about your life in your charming village. I've lived in many wonderful cities, suburbs and even a small southern town. But I have always dreamed of living in a charming Cape Cod house on Martha's Vineyard. I crave Quaint and Charming...it should be my middle name. Your blog inspires me to not only dream, but make it happen. I'm glad that your reality is better than the dream.
ReplyDeleteTo find the place where you belong is wonderful and enviable.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to be able to live in a town that meets everything you need, where you feel content, and know that you are truly home. You are blessed!
ReplyDeleteHello from France (and please, do excuse my bad English)! Your village seems to be so quiet and friendly, a real community like we don't really have here , even though I live myself in a village in the south of France ! Go on describing this life, it's a real pleasure to read it !
ReplyDeleteGhislaine.
I love when you talk about your quaint village because I have the same dream. The cutest little town and neighborhood that is just waiting for us. The hardest part of the journey is getting there, its not a cheap place to buy into. But I feel like we are almost there...
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post. A touching tribute to the place you live. I don't live too far from your town and it's a place I love to visit. I have always enjoyed the village feel to it. I am so happy you found your home.
ReplyDeletethis makes me so happy to read jen :) someday i want to visit your village life there and share a scone and tea and conversation with you! it sounds so dreamy!
ReplyDeletei felt that way about my old house and sweet town...i do miss it! small towns rock!
ReplyDeleteThe village sounds lovely, and hope doggie is OK.
ReplyDeletei have tears in my eyes for you.
ReplyDeletei hope you write a novel someday. it would be beautiful. i think you have your first page right here in this very post.
love,
elyse
xo
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and I too just found my small town to call home. We've had moved many times over the years for career choices. My husband and I have just bought a vacation cottage and we'll be renovating it. We have plans to retire in it eventually but in the mean time we'll use it as a vacation home and investment property. I hope you can visit my blog and follow me. I love small towns too! It is where my heart is at rest.
Oh...I forgot to mention that my new blog is called www.pinehurst.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteOnce again your words move my soul and this particular post brought tears to my eyes. I so understand your heart here as I live this too and I am so very happy for sweet YOU.
ReplyDeleteAs I wait on the birth of my first grandchild, your post fills my heart. And then it overflows.
Poetic and pure - reflections from a girl who dared to believe in her dreams:
Thank you Jen - yes, once again.
Love,
Kim
Jen - I've been following your blog for five years and wanted you to know that your village move inspired my family's recent move across the country to a village of our own. Giving up a beautiful home where everything on the surface looks perfect but the PLACE doesn't feel right, packing up two little kids....it all seems insane! But your experience gave me hope that it would turn out OK and so far, so good!
ReplyDeleteI totally understand how you feel. 15 years ago we moved 1 mile - across the freeway to the beach. We LOVE our house, our neighborhood and our life on the best little lane in the world. We are in the same town, but our life is so different at the beach. My husband's career went through a total metamorphosis from our move to a little beach cottage.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for you that your family found the perfect place.
Love your pup! My Kim is sending puppy kisses :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you have now a plce to call home...
I'm glad you found a place to live where you are happy. Your dog is a beautiful golden retriever.
ReplyDelete-Zane of ontario honey