A change of plans

“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” — Allen Saunders

Well life hit us pretty hard these past few months. For weeks, it felt like every sign in the universe was pointing us toward moving to Dubuque — a city near where my husband and I grew up.

When he was offered a position at the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office, we put our house on the market, got a realtor in Dubuque and began all the lengthy procedures to move four hours across the state. We packed boxes, told our jobs and more.

As Patrick was completing one of his final pre-hire activities in Dubuque, he learned a part of the job was different than he was originally told. The change would make the job a step back in his career for up to five years. He couldn’t reconcile the change, and rescinded his acceptance of the position.

So what does this mean? Well, you’re stuck with us for awhile longer! While it will always be our goal to move closer to our families, we are having to go back to the drawing board on where he can find a good professional fit.

Of course my first thought when he told me about the change was, well dang it, I already wrote a sappy goodbye column. Now I have to take it all back? But as my wonderful stepmom reminded me, “Life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans.” Our plans weren’t the path we are meant to tread.

This means I’ll continue to cover local sports and breaking news. Patrick and I are fortunate enough to have informed both our jobs, but not officially put in our resignation letters as the date was still more than a month away. He will continue as a sergeant for the Creston Police Department.

Of course I’m disappointed to continue to be so far from our loved ones, but I’m excited for another year of sports, book columns and more.