I've been thinking about Okinawa a whole lot lately. Don't get me wrong, I love where we live and where our lives are at now, but I really miss some things about that place. Basically what I disliked about Okinawa is exactly what I'm missing about it now.
Our house. I was pretty annoyed most days at the size of our kitchen and the small living room. Looking back at it now, it's all we needed and it was cozy. Love the space we have now, but something about that little living open concept area we had was quaint.
The water. I think I took as much advantage of the beautiful beaches and water as I, who doesn't love to swim, could. We had our "own" private beach we went to a lot when living in Yomitan and then went to different ones when we moved closer to base a year and a half later. I miss packing for the beach. It would be so much more fun now that I could enjoy a few drinks! 18 months of going to the beach with a sparkling water wasn't AS fun when Tony had a stiff margarita poured. I miss my car being full of sand (WHAT!?). It was just proof of having a good time!
Friends. My gosh I miss them.
Distance. Ok, so the distance was WAY farther than I had ever thought I could be, but there's something about the feeling of being that far away that brought Tony and I very close - and close with our friends. I don't want to be that far away every again..but I'm so thankful we had the experience we did.
Babies. Now that I'm 6 months postpartum, I have such incredible memories of being pregnant there. Had you talked to me during those 9 months when I was pregnant in Okinawa - I would have told you I hated it. I did. I craved things I couldn't have, my family never really saw a baby bump, and no one was in the hospital when Quinn or Shae were born. Sure, that sucked. But we also have (again), cozy memories of just Tony and I with our newborn girl(s).
Shopping. What I miss is that there was none of it! Ever since being back in the states, we have had to buy a lot. 2 cars, a house, and basically furnished a whole house. I miss being OK with whatever we had in Okinawa. The couch was fine. The TV worked. The burn mark on our coffee table was no big deal. My car squeaked every time I would turn it on - oh well. I knew these feelings wouldn't last all that long - and although I cursed it all MANY MANY times (ask Beth).. I miss that.
So you're question is - would I want to go back? NO. absolutely not. I love being closer to family. I love our house and the space we have. I love my car. I love going to Trader Joes and Target. I love that I can have Chipotle (although I have yet to have it) whenever I want. I love the conveniences we now have. My sister is coming next week, Tony's parents are here this week, my parents are coming in December, My bestie was here in October. LIFE IS GOOD. and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
In hindsight, I just maybe should have enjoyed Okinawa a little more than I did.
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