When Your Child Moves Overseas



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Our son Sacha moved to Seattle over a year ago. He is happy and that is what matters.

Though at first, I could not even think about his moving overseas without breaking into tears, then over time I would not cry but was sad and if I thought about it for too long I would become overwhelmed with emotion. Often I thought, "This is how my parents felt… and my mom still feels."  When your child moves overseas, or even several hours away from home the day to day life you shared changes,  the emptiness is new ground with seeds of longing begging to be planted which cannot be. Instead, a parent should encourage and honor the rite of passage to independence.

And so I waved the proud banner high with only an occasional, "Do you think you will ever move back to Europe?"

 

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Yann and I came to see where Sacha lives, what Seattle is like, where he works… his new life.

It is a vibrant city. 

 

 

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New construction going on seemingly on each street.

 

 

 

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We will spend a few days in Seattle.

Hugging, talking soaking in his news, seeing his neighborhood, loving him up close, and desperately trying not to convince, bribe, nor kidnap him to move home.



Comments

18 responses to “When Your Child Moves Overseas”

  1. Leslie in Oregon

    Enjoy Sacha and Seattle! If I understood Sacha on IG correctly, he lives in the Greenlake district now. My grandparents moved there from Wisconsin in 1927, and my siblings and I grew up loving to visit them, walk down the hill and jump into Green Lake. Now, the home my grandparents purchased in 1927, on one new housepainter’s income, costs more than my husband and I could afford. We live just 180 miles south, in Portland, and hope that you will visit someday.😄

  2. Corey, the good news is that the world has really changed since our grandparents left the Azores for California — with no prospects of ever seeing their homeland or their family members who stayed behind (although according to my research, one of my grandfathers did sail back for a visit in his 20s).
    And in a way, by returning to the Pacific coast Sacha has simply closed the circle. I hope you have a lovely visit in Seattle and environs, and share it with us!

  3. I am so happy you are in Seattle with Sacha. It definitely will help you visualize his life when you return home. Enjoy every moment. It is a vibrant city for sure. And I say with Leslie above come to Portland one day. I look forward to your posts while you are in Seattle.

  4. Yes, it is so hard to watch our children move overseas. Our daughter has had a couple of stints in other countries – 2 years in Edinburgh (of course we had to fly over to see her, all the way from Australia), then 10 months in Canada.
    My husband & I found it a little easier having visited her, so we could see where she lived, worked and meet her new friends too.
    So enjoy your time with Sacha, and soak up all the details of his new life.

  5. Jacklynn Lantry

    C and Y,
    I am so happy you are visiting Sacha. I hope he is happy in Seattle. From what I hear, it is a wonderful city. Have a great visit and give him my best.
    Jackie

  6. We have something in common Corey. Last week my husband and I were in Seattle visiting our son who moved there in October for his first job. We visited his apartment and workplace and liked Seattle a lot. Although I miss him, I know it’s time for him to be independent and this distance helps because I’d be tempted to shop for him and furnish his apartment etc if he were within reach. Good for both of us while he grows. But hopefully someday your son and mine will move back nearer to us so we can see them often.
    While you’re in Seattle, if you want a really nice dinner, try Cafe Lago on 24th Ave in the Montlake neighborhood and there’s a great ‘Museum of Flight’ in the south part of Seattle that my husband and son really enjoyed.

  7. I love that you and Yan are in Washington, my home state. And I love seeing Seattle and life from your perspective. I’m glad Sacha is happy here and I’m glad you were all able to be together again. Enjoy exploring Seattle (oh how I wish you could see it when the sun shines and the sky is blue).

  8. How wonderful for you. We are leaving France tomorrow…returning to SaltSpring. Too bad we are missing each other. If you do decide to go to Vitoria, please let us know. Tell Sacha hello for me.
    Ali

  9. Fabulous you were able to visit your Son.
    Big hugs and much love to you all
    Love Jeanne

  10. Thank you fir this well timed post. My daughter and baby grandson will soon move overseas. It daily breaks my heart but I try to put in a brace face. To read thoughts of someone else who had gone through the same and survive this is helpful indeed.

  11. Wonderful that you get to visit where Sacha lives; you can take memories of him in his new city with you back to France.
    If you have time, visit the Ballard and Fremont neighborhoods..interesting areas. Gasworks Park is neat. The Chihuly Garden at the Space Needle is worth a visit. There is so much to see and do. It’s my favorite U.S. city.
    Safe travels.

  12. Paula Tyner

    Oh my! I live across the sound from Seattle! This area is amazing. I love thinking of you so near and enjoying some of the delights of Seattle!!! I moved here from Central Illinois as a young woman. The Pacific Northwest is home.
    Enjoy!!!!!!

  13. Looking forward to seeing Seattle through your eyes! I’ve only ever been in the airport. Glad Sacha is well. I’m sure he’s relishing your visit!

  14. Oh this is where all of my family lives (except for me on the East Coast). It’s a great city!

  15. Seattle is a great place to live. Several years ago, I moved from Paris 8th to Seattle and lived there for over 19 years. Now I reside in Oregon.

  16. Home. You are visiting the place I have always called “home” since I moved there for college. It’s a vibrant, beautiful city! Hopefully it will sunshine so you can experience it at it’s best. We now live an hour across the water by ferry. When the ferry pulls in, my daughters and I always sigh and say, “home”. Green Lake is a beautiful area where you can walk all the way around the lake in about an hour or less. On Capital Hill, off Broadway, around Volunteer Park you can see wonderful old homes dating from the early 1900 to current. Another great place to walk and take it in the atmosphere. I hope you fall in love with Seattle as I did!

  17. Sharon CrigSt

    Corey, I so love reading your blog posts. Your compassion, sweetness and way with words always touches my soul. Enjoy your time with your precious family. Thank you for sharing them and you with us! ❤️

  18. In 2005 my daughter moved from the east coast to the west coast and it might as well have been overseas. Then 7 years ago my son was reloacated to Germany. With the time ddifference and work schedules, even phone calls were challenging. On a happy note our family has done a lot of fun traveling and made lots of memories. I’m so happy that your family is enjoying time in Seattle.

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