So Long, Sweden

As we prepared to leave Sweden, I started a post to help outline what I would and would not miss about Sweden as well as what I looked forward to in the U.S.

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Hejda, mjukglass, kanelbullar, chokladbollar, and fika.

So long, Swedish strawberries, blueberries, and lingonberries.

Goodbye, Swedish meatballs, farskpotatis, Swedish pancakes, cheese aisle, hearty breads, and Lussebullar

Farewell, long summer days, European vacations, midsommar, and Lucia Day.
I hope to see you again sometime.

Good riddance, Swedish tax authority, socialized medicine, and frustrations with the language.

I won't miss you, long winter nights, insanely high prices, and ridiculously short store hours.

Hello, American grocery stores, familiar foods, smoked cheddar, NY strip steaks, and real Tex-Mex.

It's been a long time, Lysol, Febreeze, and Scrubbing Bubbles.

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Of course, as the time to leave grew near, and the reality of the situation hit me, I realized that what I would miss most are the friendships, church family, and familiarity of our daily lives in Sweden. I know that there are new friends to be made, a new church family to discover, and a new daily routine to embrace; however, that does not eliminate the sentiments of nostalgia and sadness that I have experienced.

Sweden has brought me deeper and truer friendships than those I have experienced in a while. (This was especially remarkable given the fact that I was afraid to pour my heart into any friendship the first year of living there.) I will miss those people tremendously, even as I pursue new relationships and make new friends.

From now, though, I must look forward. I have learned that a good friendship is more rewarding to hold than painful to leave. I have met incredible people every time I have moved, and I am excited to see what God has in store for me as I enter this new phase of my life.