Aperitivos...and The "Villa"

We were lucky enough to join an "expat community" tonight during an aperitivo goodbye party...just what this soul needed.  It has been easy to get caught up in our busy to-do list while we've been in Italy this week - lots of house hunting, meetings, and attempts at navigating streets and learning where things are.  But tonight, we saw the community that forms during an expat assignment...we witnessed firsthand the strong friendships that are made and the bonds that are created when families are put in situations such as these.  Moms and Dads hugging, cheers-ing, toasting to happy memories...kids running around, laughing, hiding, putting on little shows for anyone who would watch.  It was a testament to resiliency and the strength of the human spirit.

Tonight was amazing because every single person was friendly and willing to give any tips they could think of.  But, the bottom lines - the lines we heard the most - were "the good outweighs the bad", "it goes by in the blink of an eye", "things are difficult, but you can't worry about it - you just have to laugh things off and accept it for what it is", "take advantage of the opportunities"....and "it is amazing".

The food for my soul was the happiness that I saw in this group of families.  The sadness that they felt when saying goodbye to one another was proof of the happiness they felt while they lived here.  The plans that they were making to see one another again and meet up in different parts of the world spoke volumes about how important they had become to one another.  They reassured me that a community does exist and will exist when we arrive.  It will be made up of new faces, but that it will be there - waiting to embrace us and start the "next generation of expats".  It reminded me that I will have a family to rely on, have fun with, and learn from while we are living here...a family of expats who all just want to support one another and make it the best that it can be.  To our community, the community that awaits us, we look forward to meeting you.

In other news...we decided on our Italian home.  It is filled with "Italian charm" and begs for us to fill it with loving touches and happy memories.  Here are the first photos...

A view from the front gate...we're the end unit

The back "garden"...needs a green thumb, but we'll enjoy  having some outdoor space

The dining room and living room...the blue couch as got to go!

Zoey's bed...the girls will probably share this room

Bathroom

The kitchen opens up to the back patio and garden

The 3rd floor "bedroom"...hoping a certain someone stays here!

A small open space in the 3rd floor bedroom - hoping to add a loveseat and tv...call it Holly's Hideaway, perhaps?!?

Master bedroom

Basements are rare...this apartment has one that is referred to as the Taverna

Extra dining space in the Taverna...add a rug (and probably that bright blue couch!) and the girls can play down here.

This little playground is a 3 minute walk from our new place...made my heart smile!