Selling Everything and Taking the Leap

Deciding to move to Kentucky was one thing. Actually doing it? That was a whole other adventure.

Leaving Connecticut meant leaving our childhood home, our routines, and the life we’d built. It was exciting—but terrifying.

Telling Family

The first hurdle was telling my mom.

I remember bracing myself on Easter 2024. I didn’t know what to expect—tears, shouting, or total disbelief. Instead, she said:

“Ok, let’s go.”

Her support meant everything, even though some days she still wonders about going back.

Then we told Kat and Silas. I expected tears or drama. Instead, Kat gave us a joke candle that read:

“Smells like abandonment… with a hint of I’m happy for you.”

We had a feeling they might eventually follow us to Kentucky—and six months later, they did. That first Christmas together in our new home was unforgettable.

The Reality of Moving

Packing was intense.

Our first haul was May 25th, 2024. We rented a huge Penske truck, filled it to the brim, and started the long drive. One overnight stop in Youngstown, Ohio, then onward to Sonora, Kentucky, to stay in our friend’s extra house.

Kentucky welcomed us with its unique charm: horses and goats screaming in excitement, cows in the distance, and a slower pace that made us both laugh and sigh in relief.

Meanwhile, back in Connecticut, we were prepping our house for sale. Between open houses, painting, cleaning, and running our cleaning company, the stress was relentless. It probably aged us a few years!

The Emotional Goodbye

Our Connecticut closing was September 11th, 2024. Walking away from the house I grew up in—my grandmother’s home—hit harder than I expected.

We cried, hugged the walls, and said goodbye to a lifetime of memories. Meeting the new owners and seeing their family begin their chapter softened the blow. It felt like passing a baton, leaving the home ready for new memories.

Kentucky closing was the very next day, September 12th. Technically, we were homeless for a day—but in reality, we were on the cusp of everything we wanted.

The First Night in Kentucky

Arriving at our new property was surreal. The house had been empty for a month, and the spiders had taken over. Doors and windows were covered in webs, and more lurked inside.

With a van full of animals—three dogs, two cats, a cockatoo, two tortoises—Jimmy walked straight in like a superhero, making sure everyone got settled.

We collapsed on an air mattress, exhausted, overwhelmed, and thrilled.

Waking up the first morning, the silence hit us immediately. No traffic, no sirens, just distant cows. We looked at each other and whispered:

“We’re in Kentucky.”

And just like that, the leap felt real.

Moving Day Takeaways

• Planning and logistics matter—but flexibility is everything.

• Emotional goodbyes are harder than you expect.

• Supportive family makes the difference.

• Chaos can be beautiful when it leads to the life you want.

The moment we stepped into our Kentucky home for the first time, we knew all the stress, tears, and packing were worth it.