LIFE: Turned upside down in a whirlwind

My fiancé had a telephone interview for a promotion yesterday. It was for a job that is 6.5 hours away from my native hometown. He has been apprehensive because I have never lived more than 30 minutes away from my parents before (unless you count the two weeks that I was away as a college freshman before calling my mom to say "I hate it here; please come get me.")

He had an opportunity to interview at a store that is 1.5 hours from my hometown and parents (Wisconsin state capital), as well as 6.5 hours away in Minnesota. It just so happens that both locations have pro's and con's and the farther distance happens to be the one who called him first.

Either way, chances are – we'll be relocating rather quickly. (Initially, when he came to this community, he was given about 3 days notice.)

Did I mention that following his 40-minute telephone interview, corporate decided that he still MUST meet face-to-face; therefore, we are traveling 13 hours (at more than $4/gallon) for a technicality. I'm thinking we'll get a tour of the store (which will be the same as what we are used to already) and shake the General Manager's hand. Although, if it means that he gets the job, it will be worth the drive.

I did feel bad calling my boss to see about getting out of work for a mini-roadtrip with VERY LITTLE forewarning. I'll be working just a few hours before we leave Thursday morning and I will come in later than originally scheduled on Friday. He says I owe him a beer or a gift of some sort. It kind of put the damper on our wedding gift registry at Target when we got the telephone call informing us that he'll have to drive all that way for the interview he already had over the phone.

6.5 HOURS AWAY
(+) Pro's

• Great opportunity for advancement up the corporate ladder.
• Life is an adventure. Explore territory outside of your comfort zone.
• A small-town environment is less intimidating, but exciting and new.
• It is a great opportunity to meet new people.
• Great demographics for the community: low crime, high(er) average per household income.
• It is twice the size of my native WI hometown, but not as large as a state capital. It will be a nice change of pace.
  
• We'll be able to enjoy the thrills of marriage as we get to know each other.
• While he stays with the same company, I'll have the opportunity to find a new job and/or career path to follow, which can be exciting.
• I'll have more incentive to get a new Macintosh computer so that I'll have a built-in camera to say HELLO to my parents.
• Most likely, it will be less expensive to live here vs. our other option in Wisconsin's state capital, which tends to have more opportunity to spend money rather than to save it.
• My fiance has LOTS of experience with moving around; he can show me how it's done.
• Most likely, it is only a one-year commitment because this store is good about developing people for advancement in their careers.
• Our cell phone still offer coverage there. (We may just need to UP our plan since we'll need to talk on the phone instead of hop 4 minutes across town.)
  
• It should be cheaper to live here vs. Wisconsin's state capital.
• They have Culver's there so, if I need comfort food - I know where I'm going for a hot fudge malt, a Butter Burger Deluxe and fried cheese curds! (Ooh, and the Cheeseburger Snack Pack is A MILLION TIMES BETTER than McDonald's!) YUM! I absolutely LOVE Culver's!
• No matter what, we still have each other.
  

(-) Con's

• We'll be 6.5 hours away from my comfort zone and everyone I know.
• It will be more difficult to continue planning our wedding from a far, but certainly still do-able. However, without having my own insurance through work, we'll need to consider marrying a few months early (on paper) so that we can avoid extra costs and complications. Heck, we're ready with all of our October wedding planning; we could have easily pulled it all off by June anyways. (The only exception is that we have not taken care of our prenuptial agreement yet.)
  
• With a longer drive, it is more difficult to make treks home in a pinch.
• BBRRRR, winters will be cold. (Although, we had record-setting snowfall in Wisconsin this past winter.) Good thing I got a new Columbia coat and matching accessories for Christmas this past year!
  
• Once we decide to start having children, we will be farther away from our parents, support system and baby-sitters, but did I mention - we still have each other.
  

1.5 HOURS AWAY
(+) Pro's

• Only 1.5 hours away from my comfort zone.
• Nationally voted #1 place to live in America multiple times.
• Last week, on the TODAY show, it was nationally voted as #5 Friendliest City to live in.
• There is still another store nearby for me to continue working for the same company and remain in my comfort zone of dealing with the public.
  
• My neurologist is in Madison.
• Our wedding can remain as scheduled – in October.
  

(-) Con's

• Living in the Wisconsin state capital, there are LOTS more opportunities to spend money exploring all of the shops and restaurants that make Madison, WI great.
• Higher crime rates.
• Higher cost of living.
  
• Missing out on an opportunity to work somewhere new, which could be rather exciting (since there is a nearby store for me to transfer to).

I have been awake since 1 a.m. and finally dragged myself out of bed around 2 a.m. Now, it is a little after 3 a.m. and I am still WIDE AWAKE. (My fiance is concerned about my worries and inability to sleep, yet I reminded him that I will be OK... I've got him!!!) It was pretty nice to get an EMERGENCY HUG in the middle of the night though. (Thanks for that, honey!)

So, it appears that my life may be turned upside down in a whirlwind in a very short timeframe. Life is an adventure – exciting and new. I'm looking forward to this journey together.



Now, since I still can't sleep... I wonder if I should shop online to look at my new Macintosh computer options..... apple.com, here I come!