Hello, readers, friends and family!
The Crenshaw brigade has a huge change on the horizon, and I wanted to share all the details with you. I believe in 100% transparency and open dialogue and I love that my blog is a way for me to share all the little pieces that make up the life we love so much. Not only that, but I believe that my shared experiences can be valuable to someone who might need direction in a tough situation. Therefore, this post has two purposes. 1- to inform, and 2- to encourage.
First, some back story.
Tyler has been working for the same global corporation in the automotive industry for two years now. Before that, he worked a crappy job in a medical records department of a doctor’s office. He will tell you that it was a time in his life that he felt unfulfilled, discouraged, and directionless. His true love has always been cars, but as only a “hobbyist”, he felt unsure that he could easily move into the auto industry to begin his formal career. I encouraged him every day that the universe would always meet him half way if he followed his passion with determination and optimism. This is something that has always proved true for me in my life.
He finally agreed to put out feelers and tell the universe what he wanted. Within weeks, he had an opportunity to join a company as a trainee at the very bottom of the totem pole. We both knew it was the right thing, even though it was scary. The pay was so low, the hours were ambiguous, and he has never worked in a job like this. Would it work out? Would he like it? We metaphorically held hands and jumped.
Fast forward to now.
In those two years, Tyler was promoted twice, won an employee of the year award for best quality in the market, and nearly doubled his income. Two years ago he was a trainee making a low hourly wage, and now, he’s an assistant manager. His hard work, dedication, and passion earned every accolade and dollar he has achieved. If I haven’t mentioned how much I admire this human, it’s a LOT. He’s amazing, and he’s been an amazing partner in leading our family to greatness.
Living somewhere else in the country is something Tyler and I have been talking about since the night we met. We are both free spirits who crave culture and diversity. Georgia is where life had placed us, so far, but we always knew we wanted to find a place that spoke more to who we were and who we wanted our children to someday be. Tyler was actually born in the California Bay Area and lived there as a small child. He has always talked about it with fond memories and felt like he assimilated more with the West Coast culture and lifestyle.
Recently, he spoke on the phone with managers in his company in that area and was met with overwhelming respect, friendliness, and warmth. In short, they were enthusiastically inviting Tyler to consider joining their team in California as a Store Manager.
We talked about it, asked a lot of questions to ourselves and each other, and came to the conclusion that it was worth exploring the details. Could we afford to live there? What would they pay him? Would they relocate us? Where would we live? When would we go? Could this really happen?
From there, the formal talks with Tyler continued. He talked to his bosses here about the possibility. We told our families about the possibility. We continued to research.
Luckily, it’s not 1997, it’s 2017, and there are unlimited internet resources. I found several detailed “cost of living calculators” that would accurately compare living costs of two counties in the US. I used paycheck calculators to estimate new salary amounts with California state tax and other new deductions. I crowdsourced multiple mom groups in the area on Facebook with all sorts of questions. (No one knows their stuff like Facebook Mom Groups, let me tell you.) I talked to a dozen friends and family friends who live there now, and/or were raised there. I read through thousands of posts in message board threads in every corner of the internet with discussion of neighborhoods, costs, schools, safety, and more. I connected with fellow bloggers in the area and I looked at possibly every MLS listing in existence. (It feels like it, anyway.)
Once we felt we had a firm number to ask for, salary wise, the wait started to see if it would be accepted. Naturally, money is the kind of the first thing that needs to be worked out. The final thing keeping us here would be if they could not compensate what we needed to make the move. It took what felt like forever, but they came back and matched what we asked for (and then some).
But, the most wonderful part? Tyler is being promoted to Store Manager after only two years. He’s worked so hard, gone above and beyond, and proved himself to be a strong management figure in the company, and he’s being rewarded for it, in the one place in the country that he’s dreamed of living in again. (Also, how great to be employed by a company that actually recognized hard work and quality employees?!)
Now that everything is official, we are excited to let everyone know that we are making the cross-country move to California from Georgia the first weekend in April. There are a million other logistics that I am so carefully sorting out in my very elaborate spreadsheet, so I am sure there will be more posts to come! I want to keep everyone updated and also offer help to anyone I can as I learn along the way.
Here’s where the encouragement part of my post comes. In case you need to hear it, these are some of the mantras I have lived by my entire adult life, and this is what I say to you.
Don’t ever settle for mediocrity.
Don’t ever think you have to love a life of complacency.
Don’t ever be afraid to take calculated risks.
Don’t set limits, set goals.
Put the people within your four walls before everything and anything.
Be who you want to be, where you want to be.
And for heaven’s sake…
Life. Is. SHORT. It’s a vapor.
Simply existing is not what we are here for.
We are made for more than the status quo, dead end jobs, loveless marriages, and empty lives.
You will face opposition from people who don’t want to understand because it’s not in their control. Certain people will choose to doubt you because it makes them feel superior. Insecure people will create their own narratives to benefit themselves, and nearly everyone will have an opinion.
Keep your eye on the goal, be confident in your truth, and keep your circle strong and supportive. Surround yourself with the positive, the brave, and the wise. You should do whatever you want in this world with zero limitations, and you should always ALWAYS have the courage to live a life you love.
♥
30 Comments
JeeYoung
February 21, 2017 at 8:59 amSo excited and what an amazing accomplishment! Sending my thoughts for a smooth transition for your family…. anddd now I’m booking my trip for end of MARCH to GA 😛
katiemcrenshaw
February 21, 2017 at 11:07 amThank you! And yes!!! Haha.
Brittany Ashmore
February 21, 2017 at 9:03 amI am so happy for y’all!!!!!!!!!! Tyler is a G. I am a little sad it’s not Houston but God has great things in store for y’all in Cali!!!!!!!!!! Love you boo!
katiemcrenshaw
February 21, 2017 at 11:07 amLove you!!
Meg O.
February 21, 2017 at 9:11 amYou guys are so awesome and you WILL be blessed. I am so happy for your family. Also I’m excited to come visit!!!!
katiemcrenshaw
February 21, 2017 at 11:07 amLove you!
Eryka
February 21, 2017 at 9:23 amI’m so excited and happy for your family Katie!
katiemcrenshaw
February 21, 2017 at 11:07 amThank you!!
Aileen
February 21, 2017 at 9:32 amCongrats lady! I look forward to meeting you when you come out here!
katiemcrenshaw
February 21, 2017 at 11:06 amMe too!!
Sara Morris
February 21, 2017 at 9:40 amI am so excited for you and your family! The Bay area is amazing and I knowwill will love it there! Wishing you luck, though you don’t need it. You’ve got this! Xoxo
katiemcrenshaw
February 21, 2017 at 11:06 amAnd closer to you!!
Shaunacey
February 21, 2017 at 9:46 amThat’s so exciting!! Congrats!
katiemcrenshaw
February 21, 2017 at 11:06 amThanks love!
Claudia
February 21, 2017 at 9:55 amYay congrats on the big move!!
katiemcrenshaw
February 21, 2017 at 11:06 amThank you!
Shannon Bennett
February 21, 2017 at 10:05 amThis is so exciting! Congrats to Tyler! I’m sad you won’t be in Atlanta anymore but am excited to follow along in your new adventure!
katiemcrenshaw
February 21, 2017 at 11:06 amThanks Shannon!
Sarah @ SUGAR MAPLE notes
February 21, 2017 at 10:22 amAhhh girl, you rock! This is so wonderful for you and your family! My husband has been taking classes after work and researching opportunities because he also feels there’s more for him out there. I have a feeling we will end up with a similar story knowing how motivated he is and how open we are to not being complacent. It’s scary to make changes so I hope I’m ready if I’m faced with those decisions in the future! Thanks for the encouragement. 🙂
katiemcrenshaw
February 21, 2017 at 11:06 amThat would be awesome!!
Krystal // The Krystal Diaries
February 21, 2017 at 1:44 pmThat’s really exciting! Congratulations and good luck with your move.
katiemcrenshaw
February 22, 2017 at 8:07 amThank you!
Lindsay @ Lindsay's Sweet World
February 21, 2017 at 1:55 pmCongratulations to your whole family! What an accomplishment for Tyler! I know that you are so proud! It’s like the stars all aligned to get you guys to this place! But WAAAAHHHH you’re no longer going to be my neighbor. I feel like I need to make a trip to ATL and meet you before you move since you’re SO CLOSE right now. You’re going to be SO FAR soon!
katiemcrenshaw
February 22, 2017 at 8:06 amI know!!! Thank you!!
Sara
February 22, 2017 at 7:37 amCongratulations to your hubs and the family! New adventures are exciting and refresh the spirit! Wishing you all the best as you soldier on to your new destination.
katiemcrenshaw
February 22, 2017 at 8:06 amThank you, Sara!
Berenice
February 22, 2017 at 8:55 amSo glad I read this today! Really struggling with what I know I have to do, but terrified of starting over@ 53 and scared of what others (mostly family) will say. Life is short, and I’ve been all but a shell of a person feeling doubt, worthless, and not worthy of love. Surrounded by many within my 4 walls, but not noticed. Thank you for writing your blog, sharing your family adventures, and congratulations on your new chapter. Look forward to reading all about it.
Sarah Vieira
February 22, 2017 at 8:57 amCongratulations on this new beginning!
shelley
February 22, 2017 at 3:01 pmCongrats cute friend! Change is good. Life is an adventure. XO, Shelley
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