Living Up To Your Dreams.

‘‘The proof is in the pudding’’ as our dear British fellowmen often say. Let me share with you and expand on one of the stories already mentioned in the previous post, where a dear friend and his entire family of 6 made the bold and truly inspirational decision to put a relative lucrative life as expats in Norway behind to return to their homeland, the USA, where they had came from 4 years earlier. Their objective was simple, as clear as water but certainly far from being straightforward… (NB: Fictive names will be used in respect of their privacy)

My friend ‘‘James’’ and his family were living what certainly many would call a dream life in Norway, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and experiencing the kind of adventures most people only read about. Despite the undeniable beauty and the comfortable expat lifestyle, James often found himself gazing out at the shores of the Oslo fjord where they lived, feeling a pull towards something different, something that felt more like home.

One evening, as I was told, and as the family sat around the dining table, James decided to share the thoughts that had been brewing in his mind for a little while. "What would you all think about moving back to the States, and to the Idaho mountains close to where Aunt Lucie lives? Living closer to nature, a bit more down to earth?" he asked, trying to gauge their reactions.

His wife, Debbie, always supportive, smiled softly, seeing the earnestness in his eyes. The kids, however, were initially puzzled by the idea.

"Idaho? Where's that? Does it have Wi-Fi?" Max, one of the two boys, asked with a cheeky grin.

"It's a place where you can actually see stars at night, not just on your phone screens," James replied, winking.

Lily, their eldest (14 at that time), looked thoughtful. "Could be cool. As long as there are horses."

"And trees for climbing!" Alex added, his imagination already running wild with the possibilities.

Debbie laughed, her heart warming at the family's quickly shifting attitudes. "It sounds like an adventure. One where we might find something precious and that we have all been missing a bit — Peace, simplicity, and time for each other again, don’t you think?."

Fast forward six years, and the family now calls the rugged, beautiful landscape of Idaho home. The decision to move had not been without its challenges, but James often remarked that it was the best choice he had ever made—not just for himself but for his family too.

Their home, nestled among towering pines, became the backdrop for new adventures and the foundation for a life that felt genuinely fulfilling. James found that the closer they lived to nature, the closer they became as a family, sharing a unique sense of satisfaction and well-being that came from making a decision that resonated deeply with their hearts.

View close to their home (Idaho, USA)

One day, while hiking through the woods near their home, James and the kids engaged in one of their many light-hearted debates.

"So, who misses Norway's endless winter nights?" James teased, navigating through the tall grass.

"Not me!" Max declared. "Here, I can actually tell when it's bedtime because it gets dark!"

"And the snow here is perfect for snowmen. The Norwegian snow was too... sophisticated," Lily added, while laughing.

Rose, their second girl, who had also managed to find a place to continue her dance lessons in the closest town, albeit a more freestyle form than ballet, chimed in, "I miss the fjords but wouldn't trade our mountain streams for anything. They're the best audience for my river dance."

Debbie, walking alongside James, squeezed his hand, sharing a look that said everything. They had found their place in the world, a space where laughter was plentiful, and the beauty of the natural world was a constant source of inspiration and happiness.

Who said that it was not possible to practice ballet in a river?

The family's journey from the structured life of an expat to the freedom and simplicity of mountain living highlighted a powerful truth. Immersing oneself in nature, breaking free from ‘‘the norm’’, and choosing a path less traveled can lead to an unparalleled sense of well-being and happiness. It was at least the case for them.

As the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, the family made their way back home. Their laughter and stories echoed through the forest, a testament to the joy and fulfillment they had discovered in their new life.

James and I still hold a close contact, and still exchange on their bold decision to leave Norway behind. It was a choice that required courage, a leap of faith into the unknown. Yet, as he looked at his thriving family, he knew without a doubt that following their hearts to the Idaho mountains was The adventure of a lifetime which was certainly worth saying yes to.