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Last year my husband and I up-heaved our family, leaving my parents behind—who were practically live-in babysitters of our three children— and moved to Bettendorf, Iowa.
My husband and I are both Canadian; he grew up between Quebec and Ottawa, Ontario, and I lived in the East Coast town of New Brunswick right up until University graduation
While growing up, beaches and ocean views were virtually a summer play ground for me and my siblings. We used to take the ferry over to Prince Edward Island every summer. Those island days were spent tiptoeing along the ocean shores and poking jellyfish out of our way with long sticks like some childhood version of Russian roulette.
With this childhood background, I could not imagine raising my children in the Midwest of the good ‘ol U.S.A. However, my husband works for Deere and it was a great opportunity for him and our family, so we packed up our belongings and moved here after a hurried two-day spree of house hunting
Following a very tearful good bye at the airport— where I will never forget the heart-wrenched look on my father’s face as he said good bye to his three grand babies— and many flights later, we finally arrived in our new home of Bettendorf This is where I learned my most profound belief: Being surrounded by decent people can make even the most foreign of circumstances feel like home
As we watched the movers begin to unload our belongings into our new home, we were immediately surrounded by teams of neighbors welcoming us. All of a sudden our driveway was like a summer BBQ gathering! With everyone saying their introductions, offering playgroups with their children, offering babysitters phone numbers, and even a sweet couple bringing us cookies. Immediately we felt like we were home.
We have made lifelong friendships since moving here. Now, when I look out at the Iowa corn horizon and miss the ocean view, I simply imagine the corn to be shifting sand dunes, and the blue sky beyond becomes the ocean— because with good friends and a little imagination, you can make anywhere feel like home.
Shelley Little
Tags: Bettendorf
