I met my husband, Alan, nearly three decades ago in a twist of fate that was both ordinary and extraordinary. At the time, a friend of mine and a friend of Alan's managed a bar together in Columbus, Ohio. After long, grueling days at work, I would stop by for a drink and some friendly conversation before heading home.
Recently divorced and living in the countryside, these visits became a cherished routine. My friend Nancy, who worked behind the bar, always made sure I had a seat.
Unbeknownst to me, Nancy and the bar's manager, Bob, had orchestrated these meetings. Each time I arrived, they would call Alan, who lived just down the street, and he would join us. This ritual continued for months, and during this time, I learned about Alan's amazing piece of land—a city property that felt like a secluded woodland retreat, complete with a roaring creek. It was a dream for any horticulturist, and it captivated me completely.
Eventually, Alan asked me out. Our first date was lunch and a visit to the Lawn and Garden show in Columbus. It was perfect for two plant enthusiasts like us. Subsequent dates included trips to Dawes Arboretum, where we would spend hours walking, talking, and bonding over our shared love of plants. Alan knew all the common names, and I knew the botanical ones; we were a match made in heaven.
As time passed, we got married, sold my country property, and devoted ourselves to nurturing Alan's land. We created a breathtaking garden and hosted countless barbecues for friends and family. Our weekends were filled with gardening, laughter, and the joy of community.
A few years into our marriage, our son, Wolf, was born. Alan was 45, and I was 36—older parents, which meant Wolf was showered with love and attention. We had already lived through our wild younger years and were ready for this new chapter.
Then, life took an unexpected turn. I was offered a job at my company’s corporate office in Chicago. While moving was second nature to me, it was a significant change for Alan, who had never lived more than 15 minutes from his birthplace. At 48, Alan embraced the adventure, and off we went to Chicago.
Alan, who had only been on a handful of vacations before we met, quickly caught the travel bug. Now, every few years, we embarked on a new adventure, each one accompanied by the creation of a stunning new garden—until our latest venture here on the island of Madeira in Portugal.
Today, we've shifted our focus to a different kind of garden: our YouTube channel, "It'll Be Fun," and our It'll Be Fun website . Our mission is to help people navigate the exciting yet daunting process of moving abroad. We share our experiences and encourage others to take the leap, whether they have millions or are living on social security.
Our message is simple: it's never too late to chase your dreams. You may need to tweak them, but the adventures that await are worth every bit of effort. If we had started at 23, like our son Wolf, who knows what incredible journeys we would have had? But there's no stopping us now. Join our 'It'll Be fun Moving Abroad Program'.
So come on, join us—because, truly, "It'll Be Fun."
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