After much anticipation, nerves, excitement and stress, we received news today that our next military station will be Naples, Italy. As much as we love San Diego, our home, our friends and the community here, we can’t pass up this opportunity to live abroad for 2 years. We’ve lived in Japan, but otherwise have hunkered down in San Diego.
I never thought I’d be married to a military guy, and love/hate parts of his job. Every 18 months, we have to go through an emotional roller coaster of where he’s going next. Even though we always want San Diego and can’t think of moving anywhere else, a tour in Italy was too good to be true. Our kids are school age, but will return to the states before they hit middle school. It’s only 2 years and yet it’s 2 years! As we’ve done this in the past (moving to Japan), I know there are some significant logistically challenges upcoming. Right now, I don’t want to think about those as I’m still basking in the moment of excitement.
If I seem unfocused, it’s because I can’t stop reading about others who are stationed in Italy and what it’s like. It will NOT be like our tour in Japan where it’s clean and safe. We will have challenges with water and air pollution, crime and dirtiness. Living in Italy sounds very romantic, but I am trying to prepare myself for reality there. I do think that lessons learned by our children will be priceless, but not without challenges.
For now, we wait and try to spend as much time with our friends and family as we can over the next few months until we start our Italian Adventure.