Fourteen years ago, I embarked on a spontaneous adventure that would change my life forever. During a summer trip between my third and fourth years at the University of Maryland, I visited Wales, where I would meet the love of my life.

Back then, I didn’t foresee the complexities of leaving my home country. With no job prospects in the U.S., I took the plunge and moved across the Atlantic, unaware of the emotional challenges that lay ahead.

Navigating Life Away from Family

The transition wasn't easy. I had to navigate a foreign immigration system, adjust to tiny roads, and figure out how to find work despite my U.S. qualifications. More than anything, I grappled with the distance from my family.

The feelings of separation grew even stronger when I became a mother. I remember nights filled with tears, yearning for a comforting hug from my mother after a tough week. I missed significant family moments, including my grandmother's funeral, which I couldn't attend due to financial constraints.

Finding Connection Across the Miles

Instead of letting the distance overwhelm me, I started embracing technology to stay connected. I've used everything from Skype to WhatsApp to bridge the gap. During the pandemic, Zoom became a lifeline, allowing family members to interact with my kids while I juggled chores.

My mother, in a bid to bond, even discovered online games to play with my children. Though we're five hours apart, we've cultivated a schedule that helps us stay close, with my eldest son now participating in the family conversations via text.

Gifts and Visits: The Ties That Bind

One unique way my parents remain involved in my sons' lives is through gifts. Initially, I found this frustrating due to the clutter it created in our small home. But my mother’s words struck me deeply: "It's my way of showing them I am thinking about them." I've come to see these packages not as inconveniences, but as meaningful connections.

Traveling back to the U.S. has become more challenging since having kids. Pre-children, I made yearly trips, but the logistics and costs have proved daunting. Now, with my children aged 11, 9, and 6, we are returning to the U.S. more easily, albeit at higher prices.

The Weight of Worry

As I think about the future, a heavy concern looms over me: my parents' aging. Will they be able to visit us in their later years? What will happen when their health begins to decline? This dilemma is undoubtedly one of the hardest parts of living overseas.

To prepare, I'm setting aside money for emergency flights and considering potential short-term plans to help my parents if needed. While I have no regrets about pursuing love abroad, the complexities of balancing two lives often leave me wishing I had been better prepared.