How Can You Say Thank You?

Here we are again, about to move and start a new chapter. At five and a half years, this has been the longest we have ever lived in one location.

In February 2015, we said goodbye to the comforts and familiarities of the United States to begin a new life overseas in Germany. Our little family immersed ourselves in the culture and fell in love with everything Europe has to offer. We were even so lucky to extend for a couple more years and double our family size with the birth of our triplets.

Now, here we are, preparing our eldest son to say goodbye to a home where he has spent more than half his life and the only home our triplets have ever known. This has been the absolute greatest experience for our family, and thank you doesn’t suffice.

We were blessed to be stationed at a small installation, where communities are close-knit and friendships become family.  While the language is still foreign, the customs and way things are done are not. The things that used to surprise us or drove us crazy at the beginning of our time here have now become cherished memories or traditions we would like to carry on.

How can we say thank you to the friends we’ve made over the years who have helped us and truly treated our family like their own? How do we say thank you to the locals we have met who have shown us such kindness and generosity? How do we say thank you to a country which has helped broaden our views of the world, through its history full of destruction, faith, and beauty?

Can the simple phrase “thank you” be enough for helping make us better, stronger individuals?

Honestly, probably not.

So, to really repay and try to show our appreciation for everything we have learned while here, we will be taking a few life changes back with us. Keeping Sunday as a family day, no shopping or errands, but making quality memories with those special in our life.

Getting outside and walking and exploring nature often; yes, Europe is gorgeous and the history and architecture are breathtaking, but we will find new adventures to be had wherever we go.

Supporting more local establishments in and around the community; I love how many family-run restaurants and shops there are in our little town, and I love how many of the owners ask how the kids are doing when they see me out and about.

It’s those personal connections I will continue to try and make wherever we go next.  There are also the endless traditions we plan to continue with our children from Saint Nicholas, recycling, a love for fresh pastries, an appreciation for nature, and a simple lifestyle overall.

The best way I can think to really show my appreciation for everything is to continue the traditions we have adopted and remind our children of our amazing experiences here, through pictures and stories, and to do our best to stay in contact with all the wonderful people who have touched our lives.