I do not in point of fact love to take into accounts what I *will have to* have achieved in sure eventualities as it simply makes me really feel regretful–and that isn’t a cheerful feeling. However there are some extra light-hearted issues that I might trade if I may just return in time. Now not regrets, yet simply making other possible choices…

1) I might have eloped moderately than have a marriage reception.

I by no means in point of fact had goals of a giant fancy marriage ceremony, however it was once more or less a for the reason that what we had been “intended” to do (again in 2003, anyway) is have a marriage with a variety of visitors and a reception (dinner/beverages/dancing). I indisputably didn’t do “fancy”, however it was once fairly massive). It was once nice that individuals got here and celebrated with us and the entire tournament grew to become out in point of fact great, yet I spent the entire night time making the rounds mingling and thanking other people for coming, making an attempt to verify everyone felt welcome and had a amusing time–I did not even devour my marriage ceremony dinner, cake, or have a unmarried drink! 

Making plans a marriage takes such a lot time (and cash!) and it is over with in a flash. If I might had goals of a giant marriage ceremony it will had been price it, yet I truthfully did not in point of fact care about that.

If I had been to do it all over the place, I might skip the entire large rite and reception and simply plan a go back and forth someplace. We may have a snappy rite at a easy location after which experience our holiday. Jerry and I did not cross on a honeymoon on account of the expense, so moderately than spend the entire cash on a reception, it will had been amusing to move on a pleasant go back and forth.

I do not really feel regretful, yet I might indisputably do it otherwise if I knew then what I do know now.

2) I might have stick-built our domestic.

Jerry and I had plans of a “starter domestic”, so we purchased so much on this group, employed a contractor to construct a basis, and ordered a manufactured domestic (a.ok.a. trailer) put at the lot. Manufactured houses have a stigma yet we in point of fact favored it. And we LOVE dwelling throughout from the marsh. So, we in the end made up our minds to stick right here.

On the time, we had no concept what we had been doing–we knew not anything about proudly owning a home–so through the years, we found out little issues that had been harder to interchange as a result of they were not standard–things just like the thickness of a few partitions (a typical door jamb is a bit of too large). Not anything horrible, and we have for sure been in a position to personalize the whole thing to our style, yet it will had been more uncomplicated to construct a area right here and make the whole thing ordinary sizes with upgraded fabrics. (I don’t have any want to have a larger home–ours is the very best measurement for our family–but I might trade the structure slightly. On the other hand, I did not know what sort of structure I sought after as a result of I had by no means lived alone!)

Once I did the massive renovation a couple of years in the past, I upgraded a LOT of stuff (easy such things as the molding and lighting fixtures and door slabs). The price of the whole thing (the lot we purchased + our domestic + our renovation) wasn’t any less expensive than construction a area. We in point of fact like the place we are living and the up to date domestic, so it labored out in spite of everything. On the other hand, if I might have identified we had been going to stick right here, I might have deliberate issues out a lot more moderately and custom designed it.

3) I might have traveled slightly sooner than settling down.

My first time within the PNW–and my first hike!

This sounds foolish, however it by no means took place to me that I may just transfer anyplace I desired when I used to be able to survive my very own! I do not remorseful about getting married so younger (21 years outdated), or having youngsters so younger (I used to be 22 once I had Noah and 23 once I had Eli). On the other hand, it was once simply form of a for the reason that Jerry and I might are living with regards to the place our folks are living. We by no means even mentioned shifting in different places.

If we had been in a position to return in time, I might have favored to peer any other puts within the nation after which make a choice the place we might love to relax. I *love* the Pacific Northwest and most probably would have selected to are living there. However, our households are living in Michigan and it is great as a way to see them anytime we wish. My youngsters had been in a position to develop up not up to a mile from my folks, so that they rode their motorcycles over there continuously. I additionally advanced a better courting with my folks on account of it.

I have made certain to inform my youngsters that they do not have to relax right here simply because they grew up right here, despite the fact that. I might love for them to discover slightly and discover a location that they experience. It might be nice to are living close to them! However I would not be unhappy if one among them settled within the Pacific Northwest, either–I’d just have to move talk over with ceaselessly 😉

So, the ones are 3 issues I might do otherwise if I had identified then what I do know now. Like I mentioned, I do not really feel regretful about them; I did not know any higher on the time! I began an “grownup existence” (a house and marriage and children) fairly younger, so I have realized fairly slightly since then. And I will be able to assist my youngsters uncover that they have got a variety of choices in “grownup existence” and they do not have to make fast selections!