​Weathering the Storm with the WP#158

While I have written some short posts in the past couple of weeks, a formal blogpost, they have not been. Of course, there has good reason, one a wedding, Rosa’s and mine and the following week, just letting the dust settle, although, really, it has been a crazy month. I am writing this blogpost from Berlin, where I arrived yesterday on business and Rosa is back in Rome doing what she needs to do, as we move forward. The past week was one of cleaning the house, packing, and simply getting ready for the next stage in our life, was extremely hectic as will be the next few months. ​

Of course, we had fun also, but lots of family things, marriage things, residency things as I get ready for my move to Europe on a more permanent basis. As I have noted in past blogs, I will still be operating the business. Wandering Puffin is not going away, but simply entering a new chapter of life and business. The company is still an American company, but me, the owner and chief travel planner, (actually) sole travel planner, will be moving to Italy this summer. One of the things Rosa and I did, was go to the Consular Office of Italy, in Boston, and started the paperwork of Italy recognizing our marriage, which they did anyway due to agreements between Italy and the United States, and this simply started a paper trail. Rosa and I will continue this process in April when I am there. ​

Rest assured to my client base and colleagues, the Wandering Puffin is alive and well, and, as I have proven in years past, when I live the summers in Rome with Rosa, I was working from there and welcoming many of my clients to Italy and beyond, some meeting them in person for the first time. The difference is that now, this is for permanent residency through marriage. Also, the idea of reducing the packing and unpacking and the many times crossing the pond, I will now be able to arrive with what is left of my belongings, when my 90 days are up, wait, I won’t have that issue, I won’t have to leave and return. I can stay and not worry about the Carabinieri or other authorities coming home and saying, senor, you must leave the country. Of course, the bureaucratic process is there, so as soon as I am in Italy, or perhaps, when I return in July, going to the local authorities will happen right away. ​

The last few weeks, we also spent time in many places, Portland, ME, a day in Boston, exploring the Freedom trail, and simply enjoying time together. I know Rosa was ready to be back in Rome, after a long month in America, and even with time in San Francisco, Las Vegas, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, the Grand Canyon, and simply back roads driving. I drove more than I had since I came back from Minnesota with the last of my “stuff”. The weather in New England was not good for either one of us, as we fought a still long standing cold, but away from that, we expect full recovery as we approach our honeymoon in Turkey in less than a couple of weeks. I fell in love with Rosa when I first met her a little over 4 years ago, married her a few short weeks ago and now, that we are apart, even though we are in the same time zone, miss her more and love her more. I have gotten used to waking up her every morning and spending the day with her.

My little hovel in New Hampshire, was just that, little. I know that there were days where we needed more space, but it was what we had and have gotten used to packing and unpacking. I look forward to making a home with her in a few short months, but the months in between will be a little tough, for me, not being with her. I know that time will come soon enough for us, a home we can create together, with space for both of us to grow into the couple we are and will become. We have, over the past 4 + years learned a lot, survived much, and thrived too, as well. I love having Rosa as my wife and look forward to the years we will have together wherever they go. I look forward to sharing the experiences we have, to a point and balance this blog, once again between business and personal and out of respect to my wife, balance that sharing as I learn what is really means to be an expat, and a permanent residency basis. 
As always, I hope you have enjoyed my offerings each week, no restarted, and appreciate that you have read my blog posts and look forward to continuing with sharing. The name has not changed, yet, but Rosa and I have more important things to worry about now. As always, thank you so much for your support of Rosa’s and my little world now that they have been merged into one. We hope you enjoyed the Elvis experiential wedding we had on the 19th. Rosa and I truly your support and congratulations. We truly appreciate it. Stay safe, healthy, and most importantly happy, and as always, your shared comments and thoughts are most welcome!!!