Equally to roses have beauty and thorns, emigration has beautiful moments. The joy of discovering new places together, the satisfaction of overcoming challenges, and the growing bond through shared experiences are some of the most rewarding aspects of this journey.
In a foreign land, far from family and friends, the relationship between each other becomes the primary source of support and stability. Trust is crucial. We must be able to rely on each other to make important decisions, solve problems, and navigate through unfamiliar situations. Our bond requires care, attention, and patience to bloom, in the character a rose does.
When we received the key to our new house, we were filled with excitement and hope. However, as we stepped inside, our hearts sank. The air was chilly, and a musty odor permeated every corner. The trees in the garden stood bare, their skeletal branches casting eerie shadows. A thick mist clung to the house, like a shroud, making it feel as if we had been banished to a damp, dark dungeon.
That first night was an ordeal. With no heating to chase away the cold, we huddled together on a deflating air mattress, shivering under thin blankets. Every creak of the house echoed through the silence, amplifying our discomfort.
The following day brought new challenges. The moving truck couldn’t navigate the steep, winding road to our house. We watched in dismay as our 18 pallets of personal belongings were unloaded onto the street below. Determined not to be defeated, we rented a small van and began the grueling task of transporting our things up the hill. We drove back and forth, hour after hour, our bodies aching and our spirits waning, but we refused to give up.
By the time we had everything inside, it was well past midnight. Exhausted and covered in sweat and grime, we collapsed on the floor, surrounded by boxes and bags. Every muscle screamed in pain, but we were relieved to have our belongings safely under our roof.
We decided we couldn’t endure the cold any longer. We bought a small wood stove, determined to bring warmth to our new home. It was a tight squeeze, but we managed to fit it into our tiny car, laughing at our ingenuity.
Setting up the stove was a labor of love. We carefully installed it, eager to feel its comforting heat. As the first flames flickered to life, a sense of accomplishment washed over us. We stood together, basking in the warmth, knowing that no matter how many challenges lay ahead, we would face them together. Our house was no longer a cold, misty dungeon. It was our home!
We quickly burned through our initial wood supply and soon found ourselves needing to order more for the first time. With the help of a translation app, we managed to place an order with the local firewood merchant. We requested three tons of wood, hoping it would be enough to see us through the harsh winter.
The firewood vendor was a seasoned professional, well-accustomed to navigating narrow mountain roads. He assured us that delivering the wood to our remote home wouldn’t be a problem. Over the course of three trips, he delivered one ton of wood at a time, each load spread across our driveway.
Armed with a wheelbarrow and fueled by teamwork, we set to work. The task seemed daunting at first, but with a steady rhythm and shared determination, we quickly began stacking the wood in a dry outbuilding next to our house. The air was filled with the fresh scent of pine, and each neatly stacked log felt like a small victory. Winter was coming and we were ready.
I often compare my partner to a rose that blooms in the garden, but now I truly know her, I understand that she surpasses even the finest of these flowers.
