Finding Our Isla

Craving a change of pace and fueled by the adventurous spirit of our friends, we found the push we needed. It was February 2023, and the relentless cold, wet, dark winter in Meridian, Idaho, was taking its toll. The daily grind of getting the kids ready for school, shuttling them to sports, tackling homework, and the never-ending work routine felt like Groundhog Day on repeat. Was this the essence of life? Working tirelessly, playing a bit, and repeating the same day? Kasey and I started exploring the realm of “what ifs.” What if we sold our house? What if we rented it out? What if we traveled the US, moved to a foreign country, bought land, or even bought a boat?

The conversations sparked excitement. Traveling coursed through my veins, and a different rhythm of life beckoned. Amidst the chaos, I yearned for quality family time, drowned out by endless checklists and schedules. In April, we made the bold decision to sell our home, understanding it was the first step toward any “what if” scenario. With the expert assistance of my cousin Felicia and her husband Chris from First Service Group, our home was swiftly sold. To our astonishment, it went above asking price, and the transaction was lightning-fast. The buyers, a young family relocating from Washington, eased the pain of bidding farewell to our home of 16 years.

This sweet family graciously allowed us to stay until the end of July, offering a buffer of time as we pondered our next move. Kasey, curious about boat life, sailed with the Satterlees aboard the “Sailing Banana Pancakes” in the Caribbean found Serse, a boat that had piqued our interest. And so, our dance with Serse began in July 2023.

During this period of uncertainty, with Kasey away sailing, my mom came to the rescue. Together, we moved our belongings out of our home and into storage and Jan and Bill’s, Kasey’s parents’ house. Emotional and teary-eyed, at almost 40, I found myself relocating to my husband’s parents’ basement. It wasn’t the most palatable change, but it was a necessary step.

With the absence of Kasey and his parents at the time, I swiftly transformed their living space into ours in just five days. It wasn’t without its learning curves, typical of any merging of families, but Jan, Bill, and Buddy (their dog) embraced our presence. Still, I communicated to Kasey that a four-month stint was my healthy boundary.

August and September came and went. Uncertainties lingered, especially regarding the rollercoaster journey with Serse. Eventually, realizing that I needed to step back from running my business, I announced the closure of my office in early October. Saying goodbye to my amazing team was tough, but bidding farewell to the day-to-day grind was a welcomed change. Time with my kids became the ultimate priority.

Our stay at Jan and Bill’s passed quickly, filled with the chaotic symphony of my kids’ noise and mess. The living room transformed into a playground, echoing with loud bursts and playful tussles. Eddy, our cat, despised the companionship of a puppy in his new found territory. Nevertheless, comical alliances formed between Eddy and Buddy, as they navigated the tumultuous seas of cohabitation.

As October unfolded, it became evident that buying a boat was becoming a reality. A boat – a vessel I’d never sailed, with knots and boat knowledge as foreign as the moon. During the summer, Kasey persuaded our oldest son, Ashton, to take a year off school and join us on this unforeseen adventure. Ashton agreed without hesitation. With the looming prospect of imminent departure, duffel bags emerged, taking center stage in Jan and Bill’s living room. Kasey meticulously packed and repacked, ensuring he had all the supplies required for Serse’s transformation. Wires, tools, solar paraphernalia – everything had its place, weighed to adhere to the 50 lb limit. Ashton even became a wire-wielding carrier, lugging 30 lbs in his carry-on.

With just a day’s notice, before officially closing on our boat, Kasey and Ashton embarked on the handover of Serse on October 22nd. Our arrival was December 8th. Ruinting felt good.