47. Leaving the U.S. for a New Life in France

This episode was one of the hardest I’ve ever made.
There’s a strange tension that comes with walking toward your dream while leaving the people you love behind. Moving to a new country isn’t just exciting — it’s destabilizing. It feels like leaping into the unknown and hoping the net appears after you jump.
I knew this wouldn’t be easy, but as everything stacked up, it became clear that this is the most difficult thing I’ve ever done. The emotional weight. The logistics. The sheer organization required to dismantle a life and rebuild it somewhere else. This process is not for the faint of heart.
My daughter Ruby no doubt has fears of her own - who wouldn’t, when their Mother is the one doing the leaving. But she didn’t make this about herself. She took the high road with a grace that humbled me. The last thing I said to her at the airport was “Be brave.” I can only hope that in choosing this path, I’m setting an example and not causing damage.
I couldn’t have survived this chapter without help. My realtor Vanessa Reilly at Domo Realty saw me drowning and immediately connected me with Lynda from An Organized Space, who came in with her incredible team and helped me regain control when everything felt impossible. My friends Karen, Kady, and Shae stepped up in ways I’ll never forget.
There were also painful, practical goodbyes layered into all of this. I had to sell my beloved Kia Stinger - a car I truly loved and still miss. I wish I’d paid the penalty and shipped it. It felt like letting go of yet another piece of my old life.
And then there was the hardest goodbye of all. After 17 years, our sweet dog Buddy crossed the rainbow bridge with the compassionate care of the wonderful staff at Dekalb Animal Hospital. Losing him while everything else was already in motion felt almost unbearable.
In between the chaos, there were small moments of light. Celebrating Ruby’s 23rd birthday. Walking through the Atlanta Botanical Gardens Christmas lights with Rebecca and Liz. Brief pauses that reminded me why it’s important to hold joy wherever you can find it.
This episode also wouldn’t exist without my fiercely talented friend Séverine Penin - a true TV producer and editor - who stepped in with perfect timing as she always does.. Most of this journey I’m doing alone, but when I step back and look at the wider picture, there always seem to be Angels who appear exactly when I need them.
And yes… of course I made time for one last breakfast at The Waffle House.
Thank you for being here with me during this chapter. 🤍 Let's GoGo!❤️ Join the GoGo Château adventure 👉 https://bit.ly/GoGoChateau

👑 { MORGAN LAWLEY – Fairytale Finder }
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