I had always dreamed of Italy — the rolling hills of Tuscany, the cobblestone streets of tiny villages, and the slower, more meaningful pace of life that seemed so different from my fast-paced Texas world. For years, I told myself I’d make the move when I retired. But in 2023, something inside me shifted. I realized that if I kept waiting, the dream might never happen — so I decided to take the leap and I bought a home in Tuscany.

The journey wasn’t always easy. I bought a house but hadn’t gone through the process of getting a visa to stay there full-time. I stumbled over my first conversations in Italian, embarrassed by my mistakes but slowly learning to laugh at them. I struggled with the small cultural differences — the slower pace at the post office, the unspoken rules at local cafes — and learned that patience, curiosity, and a sense of humor were essential.

But alongside the challenges were moments of magic. The first time I watched the sun rise over the Tuscan hills with a cup of coffee in hand from my terrace. The first handmade pasta I cooked in a kitchen that smelled of garlic and fresh herbs. The first-time neighbors invited me to join them for a local festival — and I realized I truly belonged. And participating in my first olive oil harvest - they all became core memories.