February 19 09

When i married my husband almost 11 years ago, i made what i considered (and still consider) to be a huge sacrifice. i moved to another country, gave up my family and my friends and my college to become part of his.

(and trust me when i say that any previous dreams i’d had of moving to a foreign country involved a man with an accent, and i don’t mean pronouncing sorry as sore-y)

I’m fairly certain i cried for the first four years i lived in Toronto.

and then, eventually, i stopped crying.

i still put in my requests for a country transfer on a near-daily basis, mind you, but things got better. things got easier. things got good. i made friends who became my friends AND my family. friends who will let me rip apart their kitchens. friends who will pick me up from the airport. friends who will tell me when my muffintop is pouring out of my jeans. friends who will meet me for coffee when I need to talk. friends who will stay out with me until 4:30 in the morning to party, canada rockstar style. friends who will let me crash at their house all day with all three of my monsters children. friends who take me bowling just because I love it. friends you won’t mind getting into a bikini in front of. friends who will remember my birthday….even when everyone in my REAL family forgets.

friends who make you forget that you don’t live near your family.

and then something happens.

something unexpected.

an out-of-the-blue opportunity to spend just shy of a year in Atlanta. with MY family. in MY country. on MY turf. a year for all of us to spend without winter and hats and mittens and car scrapers and warm boots and cold toes. a year to spend near a J.Crew. a year to spend within striking distance of ALL THREE OF MY SIBLINGS. a year to spend with my new soon-to-be-born-any-day-now niece, baby Audrey. a year to spend working from home (well, my dad’s home)…where i will be able to take my kids to school and take them to playdates and be at class plays and maybe even volunteer in the classroom. a year for my kids and i and the husband to spend more then a week with my dad and stepmom. a year to spend some time with my grandmother, who might just not have that much time left. a year to actually be able to BUY hockey tickets. a year to get this whole living-in-the-states thing out of my system. heh.

a year i never thought i would get.

a year that starting this August, i will never forget.

a year that even though it will be hard…to leave my friends (we are coming back guys! we promise!)…and the husband will be shuttling back and forth between his office in T.O. and Atlanta… it will be 100% worth it.

i can’t wait.

fam

hold on to you hats, folks. it’s going to be a wild one!

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  1. That’s great, Ali!

    Comment by Kyla on February 19, 2009
  2. YAY!!!!!!! Good that I am planning to go to Atlanta at some point because my aunt keeps begging me to visit her new house and also because you’re not leaving before April which is when I’m going to be in Buffalo for A WEEK (kill me) but you can come visit! YAY!

    Heather B.s last blog post..So, this one time on the school bus

    Comment by Heather B. on February 19, 2009
  3. OMG.

    You’re moving to ATLANTA?!

    I am so excited for you but I’m worried that you won’t come back, because let’s face it, Canada isn’t all that alluring.

    I need more details. Email me!

    Comment by mamatulip on February 19, 2009
  4. Oh, how exciting for you! I remember crying for hours when we decided to move back to my hometown many years ago. Will enjoy reading your blog with a taste of Georgia live!

    DaniGirls last blog post..Celebrity sightings?

    Comment by DaniGirl on February 19, 2009
  5. Hurray!

    Comment by Rhi on February 19, 2009
  6. Fantastic news!!!

    Comment by pgoodness on February 19, 2009
  7. congrats to you! Sounds so absolutely fantastic! I miss my family so much just reading this post.

    very excited for you!

    Comment by DesignHER Momma on February 19, 2009
  8. That sounds great, Ali! Congratulations. Isn’t it great to work in an industry that allows you to work from, well, just about anywhere?!

    Comment by Assertagirl on February 19, 2009
  9. That’s awesome, Ali! Welcome back to the South – and just in time for football season! 😉

    I love being in Atlanta – especially in the fall! It makes up for the crazy humidity from March until September…

    Comment by Darcey on February 19, 2009
  10. that sounds like a great opportunity! i’m really excited for you that you have the chance. 🙂

    Comment by adrienne on February 19, 2009
  11. Was just looking at a Canadian friend’s pics on FB (she moved to Atlanta with her American husband). In the pics, their daughter is running on grass — in FEBRUARY! Why? WHY!? did my parents choose to live in Toronto? Fo’ rillz.

    So happy for you!

    Comment by Nadine AKA Scarbiedoll on February 19, 2009
  12. So happy for you, Ali! 😀

    Comment by Nenette on February 19, 2009
  13. We MUST have a going away party for you dollface! MUST!

    Comment by Karen Sugarpants on February 19, 2009
  14. Hooray, that is wonderful news!!

    La Petite Chics last blog post..Everyone Else Was Doing It!

    Comment by La Petite Chic on February 19, 2009
  15. yay!! How exciting!

    Comment by Jen on February 19, 2009
  16. How exciting! When I moved home after living overseas I remember that all I wanted to do for the first month was wander the aisles of Target.

    Hopefully, you’ll have better things to do. 🙂

    Comment by A'Dell on February 19, 2009
  17. HOTLANTA? Sweet.

    Undomestic Divas last blog post..Ring… Ring… Ring…

    Comment by Undomestic Diva on February 19, 2009
  18. Ali that is so awesome!!! have fun there!

    Comment by LAVENDULA on February 19, 2009
  19. Awesome! J Crew, Target and Red Vines? Color me jealous.

    Comment by Sleepynita on February 19, 2009
  20. That sounds like a GREAT idea! And your kids are at the perfect age – old enough to remember, young enough to still be flexible.

    Becks last blog post..Just Like A White-Winged Dove

    Comment by Beck on February 19, 2009
  21. So exciting! Can’t wait to read about all of the details and how this all came to be!

    Comment by Steph on February 19, 2009
  22. That sounds so exciting! I’m so happy for you. Also, will you be willing to stalk and photgraph the “Real Wives?” Let us know. 🙂

    TUWABVBs last blog post..Prison and a Shout Out to Public Servants

    Comment by TUWABVB on February 19, 2009
  23. Yay! I didn’t know it was only for a year! I guess I will have to plan a visit and not just talk about it, when you’re finally in the ATL!

    Obviously you know how excited I am for you!

    Kristabellas last blog post..Random Thoughts

    Comment by Kristabella on February 19, 2009
  24. That’s so fantastic, and clearly, from the sound of it, you’ll make the most of the year. So happy for you!

    (and OMG, could all of you be more adorable?!)

    differentkindofgirls last blog post..jolly good, england. jolly good, indeed

    Comment by differentkindofgirl on February 19, 2009
  25. YAY for ATL! I go there often, we’ll have to meet up for drinks or lunch or something sometime!

    Comment by Erica on February 19, 2009
  26. Holy cow, how exciting! Plus YAY Atlanta! Makes me all nostalgic for summers at the zoo.

    Comment by Erin on February 19, 2009
  27. That’s so exciting! While some of my family is a little closer (Ottawa), I have lots in LA and DC so I know how you feel – I would love the opp to be closer to them, even for a short time. Enjoy it! I hope you’ll keep blogging the adventure!

    Comment by Jos on February 19, 2009
  28. Welcome back to Hotlanta 🙂 I’m sure a year of ridiculous traffic will cure you of your desire to stay there.

    Comment by tutugirl1345 on February 19, 2009
  29. OMG congrats!! Are you staying in your house? Is your husband going with you? We are considering doing something similar (going to Boston for a year) and are unsure of how to work out those minor logistics 😉

    Comment by NEWMOM on February 19, 2009
  30. Yay!! But of course, we need more details!

    Comment by Lyndsey on February 19, 2009
  31. Wow! I’m sure it will be a great experience. Will all five of you be going?

    Comment by Heather on February 19, 2009
  32. Awww so exciting! I’m so happy for you and I hope the time in ATL is everything you hope it to be and more.

    And, you have the most adorable family, ever.

    Good luck!!

    Comment by mary on February 19, 2009
  33. How exciting! Congratulations.

    Comment by Sheryl on February 19, 2009
  34. Wow! That’s amazing! I am so excited for you and your family!

    xox

    heidikinss last blog post..The Great Blog Share

    Comment by heidikins on February 19, 2009
  35. Woah! This is HUGE! Is it something for work (yours or his), or something completely different?

    Wow… Isabella will start school in the US? That’s wild.

    Do you have a form email with more details? Please send it my way.

    Comment by SciFi Dad on February 19, 2009
  36. Nice! Congrats and I hope y’all have fun! You’ll be within spitting distance of my sibling and two cousins as well (which is totally not relevant really, but I had to say it).

    Wooo!!!

    Comment by Maryann on February 19, 2009
  37. Hooray for you, Ali!! SO happy for you…and maybe a little envious of no Winter 🙂

    Comment by Angella on February 19, 2009
  38. You will still blog, right?! I need more details beacuse I’m just nosey like that…is it your husband’s job? will you sell your house? doesn’t your sister live in NY? This is so exciting for you! Awesome!!!

    Comment by Maria on February 19, 2009
  39. Congrats to you. You must be just beyond thrilled about this. But, DO come back. Ontario will miss you.

    jays last blog post..Happy 5th Birthday Girls!!

    Comment by jay on February 19, 2009
  40. Congratulations!! That’s crazy exciting. I hope the kids love their year “abroad”.

    Comment by Chasinash on February 19, 2009
  41. That’s great! What an adventure!

    Christines last blog post..Valentines Surprise…bowchickawowwow edition

    Comment by Christine on February 19, 2009
  42. Congrats! That is such awesome news! I am also so jealous…am such a wanna be American!

    Kathys last blog post..Back again and thinking about summer

    Comment by Kathy on February 19, 2009
  43. And SWEET TEA. You forgot to mention the SWEET TEA you shall have readily accessible at every turn.

    (SO! excited for you.)

    Comment by Kerri Anne on February 19, 2009
  44. WOW WOW WOW WOW OMG – I’m beyond excited for you guys! I know you’ve been thinking about this for AGES! I’m sooo happy for you. What an amazing experience and opportunity! xo

    Comment by Michele on February 19, 2009
  45. Congrats! I am jealous. I would love to move back closer to my family. 🙂

    Comment by Gwen on February 19, 2009
  46. THIS IS AWESOME ! but i want all the details!!!! EMAIL! and YAY!

    jennsters last blog post..i snorted white stuff during lunch

    Comment by jennster on February 19, 2009
  47. WooooooooooooHOoooooooo! (Ooo, I just large capped HO by accident…. Not intentionally, I swear). Am SO excited for you (and your nonexistent muffin top! byatch!)

    Comment by Haley-O on February 19, 2009
  48. That is so awesome. I can’t wait to read about all the adventures to come!

    Comment by Chantal on February 19, 2009
  49. YAY!! That’s awesome!!

    Comment by Christina on February 19, 2009
  50. That’s wonderful news!!!

    Joanies last blog post..Peep, Peep! Peep, Peep!

    Comment by Joanie on February 19, 2009
  51. Wow! What great news. I hope you enjoy your year. can’t wait to read all about Atlanta.

    Comment by Shan on February 19, 2009
  52. You must be so excited! Congrats!

    Comment by Shannon on February 19, 2009
  53. Yay that sounds exciting.

    Zandors last blog post..The earth is a slut.

    Comment by Zandor on February 19, 2009
  54. I hope your parents have room for me and Kristin.

    Comment by slynnro@ on February 19, 2009
  55. oh that is so damn exciting!!! good on you guys!

    looking forward to reading all the blog updates of the big move 🙂

    congrats!x

    Comment by Bronnie on February 19, 2009
  56. wow-o-wow!

    I have visited Atlanta 3x (2 times to visit a friend who was there temp. with husband’s work and once with my ex-job) and I must say I loved it there!

    bittersweet for all of you but hey, we’re all just a click away! 🙂

    Comment by Holly on February 19, 2009
  57. Sounds like a wild, fun adventure. Glad you’ll get the chance!

    Comment by Sarcastic Mom on February 19, 2009
  58. OMG you are totally going to be my new Walgreens connection (eyelashes, Aleve, omg I’m so excited for me, I mean you).

    Comment by katie ~ motherbumper on February 19, 2009
  59. Your working closet pictures are going to be so different. No more tundra coats!

    Comment by regan on February 19, 2009
  60. i’ve always wanted to visit atlanta…

    gorillabunss last blog post..times up

    Comment by gorillabuns on February 20, 2009
  61. alimartell! The real question is, HOW CLOSE IS THE NEAREST ANTHRO?!?!?!

    This also better not interfere with BlogHer. JUST SAYIN’.

    Comment by heather... on February 20, 2009
  62. That sounds great!

    Comment by Henry on February 20, 2009
  63. wow .. no way!! sounds like a great adventure. We need details Ali, more details!!!

    Comment by Sarah on February 20, 2009
  64. How fun!

    TrenchesofMommyhoods last blog post..Hubby’s (Inability To) Hangup

    Comment by TrenchesofMommyhood on February 20, 2009
  65. Dude, seriously. I CAN’T WAIT to have you in the same country for a year.

    Comment by metalia on February 20, 2009
  66. I am new to your site, but oh my that sounds like a huge changed! I wish you all luck and hope that you can spend some good time with your family.

    Comment by WickedStepMom on February 20, 2009
  67. I am new to your site, but oh my that sounds like a huge change! I wish you all luck and hope that you can spend some good time with your family.

    Comment by WickedStepMom on February 20, 2009
  68. I am so happy for you. That will be some adventure, the best of luck to you all.

    Comment by J from Ireland on February 20, 2009
  69. This is wonderful news! I wish I would be so lucky. HAPPY DAY!

    Comment by mrs.chicken on February 20, 2009
  70. That’s awesome! Toronto will miss you, but what a nice opportunity. Can’t wait to hear all about the transition.

    kgirls last blog post..X This

    Comment by kgirl on February 20, 2009
  71. That’s awesome! Toronto will miss you, but what a nice opportunity. Can’t wait to hear all about the transition.

    (just wondering – how is one supposed to pronounce sorry?)

    kgirls last blog post..X This

    Comment by kgirl on February 20, 2009
  72. Hello Super Target!
    sorry you won’t be on the west coast. But what a blast!

    monstergirlees last blog post..Bright Orange In the July Sun

    Comment by monstergirlee on February 20, 2009
  73. this is very happy news. good for you and the family!

    http://momofboxer.blogspot.com/2009/02/krazy-george-is-well-crazy.html

    Comment by raino on February 21, 2009
  74. This calls for a new wardrobe, you realize!? Also, I have the sweetest Jewish grandma babysitter EVER if you ever need a recommendation!

    cristans last blog post..

    Comment by cristan on February 21, 2009
  75. That sounds wonderful! I hope this year back in the states is everything you hope it is.

    Ks last blog post..Mean Moms Suck

    Comment by K on February 21, 2009
  76. Welcome home! I just moved back to the land of sweet tea and BBQ after a 20 yr exile in NJ. The move has been all that I hoped it would be. May you and yours be similarly blessed. (((HUGS)))

    Comment by Lisa C. on February 22, 2009
  77. Ali!!!!! Exciting!!!!

    Comment by wendi on February 23, 2009
  78. Congratulations, Ali! What a great opportunity. Glad you won’t be leaving us at http://www.urbanmoms.ca though!

    Comment by Jen Maier on February 23, 2009
  79. Yippie-kie-yie-yay! Can’t wait to see you every time I go home!

    Comment by Camels & Chocolate on February 23, 2009
  80. Oh, exciting! I married a Canadian and while I didn’t move nearly as far (just a few hours from home) it was and is still across an international border and it’s hard! I’m so excited for you!

    Comment by Courtney on February 24, 2009
  81. Happy for you but soooooooooooooooo sad for us!! 10 months- the countdown will begin. Saturday schmoozefest and Sunday nights are just not going to be complete without you. U…complete…us….

    Comment by Lan on February 26, 2009
  82. Holy cow – I can’t believe I missed this.

    How exciting! Are you selling here, or holding on to everything to come back to?

    Comment by b*babbler on March 9, 2009
  83. […] when we were partaking in the Great Martell Atlanta Family Adventure, you know, way back when I lived with the kidlets in Atlanta for an entire year and their daddy […]

    Pingback by » The “I” in PEI stands for I DON’T WANT TO LEAVE Cheaper Than Therapy on August 29, 2011
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