I thought long and hard about whether I wanted to post anything this week. There’s not much island excitement to share because we made a trip home to Indy primarily to check on work, but also to fulfill a few other commitments. It was nice to be back and see my parents, our team, neighbors and some friends, but despite the saying, “home is where the heart is” - being back was kind of horrible. It seemed everywhere we went we were informed of rumors and criticism circulating around about us, and this experience. It was pretty disappointing, but on the plus side, I guess if we’re living a life that gives people something to talk about, we must be doing something right.

One thing I have learned through this experience is, when you do something outside of the ordinary, it creates discomfort for not only you, but others as well. Perhaps it’s jealousy, or the realization that they have not found the life that they desire. In many cases, I think a lot of people prefer to stay in the confines of their bubbles - and that’s okay. But, tearing others down just because they’re choosing to try something different seems counterproductive and will only limit you from discovering your own dreams and potential. 

Here’s the thing. I know how hard we’ve worked to get to this point and I refuse to let the voice of critics distract from what we’re trying to accomplish. For a second I contemplated no longer blogging. I tend to be a private person and judgement is exactly what has kept me from sharing over the years, both personally and professionally. But, here’s the thing, haters are gonna hate whether I write about our experience or not, so I will continue to write. I realize sharing will translate to criticism, but I’m done with hiding to avoid the judgment of others. Part of my own growth journey is allowing myself to be more vulnerable because quite frankly, seeking the approval of critics, is pointless. 

All that being said, I’ve heard SO many stories (albeit some very entertaining) of why we’re doing this, that I thought I would take a second to set the record straight.

We are living on an island for one semester to provide our kids with a unique experience. An experience that has pulled them outside of their comfort zone and has forced them to not only survive, but thrive in a different environment. They’ve had to learn a new way of schooling practically overnight. They are partaking in activities they do not have access to living in the midwest. They also had to walk away from activities, family and friends they love at home. They are meeting new people from all different cultures and walks of life. They’re learning what they’ve come to take for granted and how to live without both simple necessities as well as the luxuries America provides. They too are learning who their true friends are and learning how to be a good friend to those they left behind as well as the new friends they’ve made. 

I’ve heard more times than I can count,“it must be nice” - I agree, living our dream is nice, but it’s not easy. While we feel beyond blessed to have this opportunity, it was in no way, shape or form handed to us. We’ve been working on putting the pieces in place to make these 5 MONTHS happen for the last 6 YEARS. We own three businesses that we actively manage, and two of the three businesses are not set up for remote work. Believe me - we put a lot on the line to do this and it’s not easy, but it’s worth it and if we can do it, anyone can. Your dream might look different than ours and it won’t take shape overnight, but if there’s something you really want to do, do it - and when you doubt your decision (because you will), call me - I’ll be your biggest cheerleader. As our neighbor on the island says, “enjoy life, it has an expiration date.”

Our number one goal was to give our kids an experience they’ll never forget followed by a few months of uninterrupted family time. I said all along, this will either be the best or worst decision we’ve ever made, and after 1.5 months I can tell you hands down, it’s turned out to be the best. 

For those of you who have offered love, support, encouragement - from the bottom of my heart, thank you! I’ve learned it’s not just in hard times that you learn who your true people are, but more so in the great times. It’s easy to be there for others when times are hard, but who’s there cheering you on and supporting your dreams? Who is encouraging you to push your boundaries and live a life outside of the ordinary? Those are your true people and to ours (you know who you are), thank you. We love you.