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Only four weeks left before all this planning becomes a reality and I’m off to start an exciting new phase of life in Costa Rica.

My husband Mike and I first went to Costa Rica together back in 2004. At that time, we were simply boyfriend and girlfriend traveling around and checking out this beautiful country which Mike could not wait for me to see. Mike had lived in Costa Rica before during his master’s program and grew very close with his host family - the Delgados - who are among some of the most open-armed people, I have ever met. Mike had gone back to Costa Rica to visit them every year and simply fell in love with the country, the culture and its people. Stepping off the plane for the first time, I could see the appeal.

A few months prior, Mike’s brother, Matthew, had decided to forego corporate life and take his chances living in Costa Rica as well. Seeing him so content and happy in this new culture, really absorbing and learning every day, was truly inspiring and it made me think that I could seriously make a move of this magnitude.

It was after this first trip that we decided to look into potential business opportunities in Costa Rica that would allow us to live a simple life and enjoy this amazing country. Starting up a Bed and Breakfast seemed like the perfect Path for us and the research began.

Our hope of starting up our own B&B in Costa Rica, began as a 7 year plan, which then got shortened to a 5 year plan and then to a 3 year plan until our last visit in November of 2005 when we decided that the time is now. My folks had gone over with us and decided that should we make this move, they would definitely visit a few months out of the year. My father, thinking of the prospect of fishing every day for months on end, was in his glory. My mom, I think was more excited about doing something new. We came back to the States, determined to make this happen as the cliché of “life is too short” continued to ring in my ears…. But there was more to it than that…

My aunt had lost her battle with cancer back in March of 2005 and something in her passing really impacted how I felt about this move, about making it now, about not waiting any longer. She had said something to me from her hospital bed that I’ll never forget. She said that she had really lived a good life. A simple statement that would in turn, conjure up so many wonderful memories of a lifetime - of adventures and new experiences that always made my times with her so very enjoyable. She passed away only a few days later. Once again, I began to view things a little differently.

There was no longer any reason to wait. The time was now. I did not want to live my life thinking about what we might have done, had the timing been perfect. I’ve learned that the timing is never perfect and some of the most wonderful memories I have in my life were born out of spontaneity. Mike and I began our planning, each of us doing our hours upon hours of research and then talking everything over during dinner, trying to keep all the information organized.

All the planning and research have led us to this point. We've sold most of what we own, including our houses, have been in touch with residency lawyers and even visited the consulate in Washington, DC. Never in my life did I think I would be dealing with things such as Residency and Immigration!

Breaking the news to my boss, John was definitely not easy. The corporate side of me, didn't want to let him down, didn't want him to worry about my accounts, didn't want him to think on any level that I was not grateful for all the confidence he has shown in me. However, seeing his genuine happiness for me shine through the shaking of his head, has allowed me to walk away from this with a smile. Leaving behind a boss whom I consider a friend, along with my employees whom I look forward to having friendships with in the future, and co-workers who have always shown me amazing support, has been more difficult than I had imagined. A special thanks to those that have expressed to me how I've impacted their lives. Your words will not be forgotten and will always hold a very special place with me. Thank you for not letting them go unsaid.

I feel as though I've been evaluating all aspects of my life at this point. Everything from what things we need to bring with us and what can we live without, all the way to evaluating relationships around me and coming to terms with which relationships will survive this move and which I need to simply leave behind. I have decided to only take with me, that which is positive.

It seems as the date grows closer, I can’t help but think that this really is a crazy thing… yet I truly cannot imagine a more fulfilling Path for me at this time.

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