The Post I Never Thought I’d Write…

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

Friends. I’m writing to you tonight with news that I never thought I would be sharing.

Big news…….

I’M MOVING BACK TO OHIO!!!!!

OH MY GOSHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

After 11+ years, living in Manhattan, I am moving back to my hometown in Ohio.

But that’s not the best part…

Because it’s not just me that’s moving…

MY FIANCE is moving too!!

I’ve got some news…that frankly, I never thought I’d be sharing……….I’M MOVING BACK TO OHIO!!!!!!!!! #God is good!!!!! #Ohio #nyc #moving #nycexodus #home #prayer #news #family #catholic

That’s right!!!!

STEVEN AND I BOUGHT A PLACE IN DOWNTOWN CINCINNATI!!!

I hope you can hear me squealing and jumping up and down right now, literally doing a happy dance as I type this!!!

First of all: two things:

1) The timeline. If you’re doing the math in your head right now, then you may be realizing that it’s October…and we don’t get married until next JUNE. And yes, you are correct about that. SO – here’s how that one is gonna work. Steven will be living in our condo, and I will be living at home with my parents for 6 months until the wedding, starting this Christmas!

2) Secondly. I would like to just give a shout out to my incredible fiancé because this was all his idea. Though I had voiced my concern once several months ago on the prospect of raising a family one day in NYC, I had come to terms with the fact that we would be an “east coast family.” Though it was my absolute dream to live in Ohio, I knew that marriage consists of two people, sharing new dreams they have together. And compromise is the name of the game.

And so you can imagine my surprise when Steven came to me with this condo listing and said, “I think we should move here.”

It was an absolute whirlwind, truly. Because that was only about 4 weeks ago, in mid-September.

We first saw the listing online during the second week of September. Toured it a few days later when we went to visit Cincy on a trip that we already had planned for my brother’s birthday. Put in an offer, and had it accepted!

And so we’ll be moving over the holidays!!!

Can you believe it!?!? Because I surely can’t!

This is truly a dream come true. Though I have been a New York girlie for the last season of my life, it was never meant to be permanent. It was the place where I went to find myself. Where I could to rediscover who I was, what I’m passionate about, and regain my life after my eating disorder. And it served that purpose to the highest degree.

But it was never meant to be forever.

I’ll never forget when I was nannying. And my mom had her stroke, and so I was at my last day of work with this family, because I was going to be moving home to Cincy for a year to help my mom recover. And the woman and I were talking about my love life, and how I always pictured myself raising a family down the street from my parents.

And the woman looked at me, and said, “Good luck trying to get a New York man to want to move to Ohio.”

Well, I found him. Or rather, God found him for me.

I’ve got some news…that frankly, I never thought I’d be sharing……….I’M MOVING BACK TO OHIO!!!!!!!!! #God is good!!!!! #Ohio #nyc #moving #nycexodus #home #prayer #news #family #catholic
Anna May Photography

And though we’re not going to be living down the street from my parents (and my brother and his family, who ironically do live down the street from my parents)…we will be in the urban downtown of Cincinnati, which is only 15 minutes away, and is going to be great for my “city man” fiancé, to still have that urban pulse that he grew up with, and loves.

So ultimately, why did we decide to move?

The main reason: where we want to put down roots for our future family. We don’t want to raise children in a city where they’re going to be taught about “choosing their pronouns” in first grade. We don’t want to raise children in a godless place that is devoid of a Christian community, and lacking a community with a strong moral compass, period.

That was one reason.

And secondly, the cost of living in NYC in 2022 is absolutely ludicrous. We have friends who had a 56% increase in rent. Their rent went up to $7400 A MONTH. A MONTH!!! And if you’re wondering…they’re leaving too — they moved down south at the beginning of last week! Because New York is not the same, post-pandemic, and just not worth the high price tag anymore.

But friends, all of this is just surreal. I cannot believe it’s happening.

And the best part is that it’s truly going to be our “forever home.” It’s got room for a couple of kids, and a wing for Steven’s mom to live with us if she so chooses.

All of that, and it’s in the heart of the action, by fun restaurants and bars and nightlife, and of course…THE BENGALS!

God is just so good. I could feel His hand facilitating this the whole time, and so I trust that everything is going to work out and be okay. Thank you, Jesus!

So that’s my news!!! (And why I’ve been a bit sporadic here recently — who knew that buying a house would be so darn time consuming!)

Can you believe it?! What’s your best moving advice?? Let me know in the comments!

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159 thoughts on “The Post I Never Thought I’d Write…”

  2. Moving! Yay! I’m so happy for you – it’s thrilling to have your own place that’s just YOURS. Anyway, moving advice –

    1) As soon as you can, pare your entire life down to exactly what you need to survive for a week. 5 outfits, 7 pairs of underwear, one frying pan, two spatulas, the three books you’re planning to read, your five favorite DVD’s, four plates, two bowls, four mugs, etc. Limit it to what you can easily pack in a couple hours. EVERYTHING ELSE gets packed well ahead of time. Yes your existence will feel bare bones for a while but it makes the moving itself just that much easier.

    2) When you’re READY ready to move, pack up everything else and mark those boxes somehow so that you unpack them right away when you get where you’re going.

    3) Everything else can be unpacked as you have time.

    This is probably the easiest way you can continue your existence mostly un-disrupted before, after, and during your move.

    Good luck!!

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    1. Thank you so much Athena! We are absolutely over the moon! and wow this is such great advice! THANK YOU! I just contacted the movers today, so it’s actually feeling real now! Hugs and love xox

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  3. Dear Caralyn,
    I am so happy for you and everyone who has the presence of you in their lives. You have made a great choice, as my son moved back to Cincy, and my grandchildren are benefiting from the experience. We are keeping you in our prayers, even though I have not commented on you blog in a long time. Blessing to you.

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    1. Oh thank you so much for sharing in the joy with us! We are so extatic! Oh how wonderful! it really is an amazing city — lots to do, affordable, near family! thank you for your prayers – that is truly appreciated! big big hugs to you xox

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    1. thank you so much Ivan! We’re extatic! hahah yeah, i don’t have any advice either, other than just get rid of as much stuff as possible hahah Hugs and love xox

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  5. You have travelled on such an amazing journey, already; evident through your web posts! You and your partner, show extraordinary strength of character; thanks so much for continuing to share your amazing story! ❤️✍️

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    1. Thank you so much Kevin, what a kind thing to say! I will pass that along to him. God is so good, and we’re just trusting in Him through this whole thing! Hugs and love xox

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  7. Aww I have chills reading this ☺️! My husband and I moved back to Ohio too last year after living in a couple big cities and 10 years away, and it’s been the best thing ever. I’m really excited for you !!

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  8. Believe it or not. Julie and I just drove through Cinci yesterday heading home from a weekend in Toledo to see her sister and parents, the latter in their late 80’s and not doing too well. Stopped off in Co

    Stopped off in Columbus to see Olivia, which was great! The next time we go up after the holidays maybe we can coordinate a quick visit – lunch maybe – as we go through!

    VERY happy for you both!!

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    1. Oh my gosh you’re kidding!!! next time, when we’re in, we’ll have to have you over for dinner!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 We’re just right off the highway! I’m sorry to hear that about Julie’s parents — i will keep them in my prayers. Yes, aboslutely! I would love that 🙂 At Panera again! 😉 hahah Thank you Jeff – I really feel God orchestrating this entire thing. Hope you’re having a great week so far, and I’m glad you both got a chance to see loved ones last week. that’s wonderful. Hugs and love to you and your girls xox

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    1. Awww, thank you Amy!!!! Yes, we are just absolutely over the moon. Thank you for that. We are placing all of this in God’s hands. That’s the best place to be! I hope you’re having a great week, and thanks for sharing in the joy with us! Hugs and love xox

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  13. I never replied to this… good to hear. It’s nice that he was willing to compromise and make a new life together with you… brings to mind a relationship I had once where she wasn’t so willing on this kind of issue, but that story probably doesn’t need to be told. Good luck with moving and everything… will you still be able to do the same kind of work from there, or will you have to go to New York or elsewhere periodically for acting gigs?

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    1. Hi Greg! Oh thank you so much! Yes – i am so grateful for his generous heart 🙂 i actually will be able to do acting work in Cincinnati – which i am thrilled about! thanks for sharing in the joy with us! Hugs and love xox

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  14. This is wonderful news! Believe it or not, I prayed this for you. Even though we don’t know each other, I feel like I know you from reading your posts. As I read about your life there in NYC, I couldn’t help but think, “If she were my daughter…” and so I prayed.
    So, from one Ohio gal to another, welcome back! Our State will be gaining another beautiful Ohio family!
    Marcy ❤

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    1. Thank you so much Marcy for sharing in the joy with us! Awww, oh my gosh I am truly so touched — thank you for your prayers. God is certainly good!! awww, you’re the best! Yes! Can’t wait to be back in the beautiful midwest!!! Hugs and love xox

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  15. OMG!!!! I am SO happy for you. You have been an inspiration for me from the first time I started following you and now you have proven something I acknowledge within myself. If we get up in the morning and put our feet on the floor and have good intentions, God will cover the rest. My book writing journey has proven this to me. I decided to write one book – I got all the help I needed, I got a publisher without asking anyone, my publisher asked me if I needed a publisher (!), I got proofreading help. When I realized I would be doing marketing, I got a car through a friend of my brother who went out looking, he found me a Chevy Spark (pink) and my Credit Union gave me a good loan because I had written a book. I am now on Books 3 and 4 making my own money, my car is paid off and I have enough money to pay a dentist!!! And, I am 74 years old. My niece is amazed that I began this writing life as an older woman. As long as I wake up and have the intention of doing something good for me and others, God makes the way smooth and right. I don’t really know you, but I have read your progress in trying to have a better life and I am so proud of you for hanging in. You have definitely played a part in the goodness happening for you. AND you guys bought a house!! Wow!!! I love your writings; I wish you and your soon to be husband so much joy. Congratulations!!!!! Yay!!! Woo Hoo!!!!!!

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    1. Oh my gosh, this comment brought a tear to my eye. THANK YOU so very much, I am truly humbled by your kind words. First of all, WOW! You have an incredible story. And aaaaaaabsolutely — you are spot on. When we do our part, God shows up and does the rest! I have truly felt that too in all of this! Thank you for sharing in the joy with us! Rock on my sister friend!!!! you are an inspiration!!! Hugs and love xox

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  17. I’m so happy for you and your fiance!! and WOW, that is an insane amount of rent! My jaw dropped when I read that. All the very best to you and your family. 🙂 xoxo

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  19. Okay let’s see what moving advice a military brat can give…
    I’d say that the one best piece of advice I can give you off the top of my head is have your things in two groups. Group 1 is all the stuff that I am bringing with me immediately and Group 2 is all the things that I can ship and wont panic about being late arriving.

    And Yay!!!!! Congrats!!!! I know what that feels like when I moved to TN from MD to be closer to my then Girlfriend now Fiancé. I feel you on not being separated anymore from your family. I give you a double YAYYYY!!!!!! and double CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

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