I distinctly remember a feeling I had nearly 10 years ago while studying abroad in Paris. I was standing on a bridge over the Seine during the afternoon of my 21st birthday, holding an oversized macaron à la pistache in one hand while a song called Dream by Priscilla Ahn filled my iPod (!) headphones. Overcome by a sense of joy, I realized I was exactly where I was supposed to be, doing precisely what I was meant to be doing.

It was one of the earliest times as a pseudo-adult that I can remember stepping back and acknowledging the importance of a life outside of school, outside of hard work, outside of the treadmill and ladder of achievement that I had been on since beginning high school. I began to understand that the new people, cultures, and experiences you encounter while traveling can provide just as much value and fulfillment as academic and career achievement.

It was also the time when a deep desire to live abroad was firmly planted in my mind. Someday, somehow, I would buy a one way ticket to anywhere. I was going to have a go at this so-called expat life.

A Plan in Motion

Years later, Kevin and I found ourselves celebrating Oktoberfest at Biergarten and Suppenküche, two of San Francisco’s top German bars. As we each worked on our third liter of beer (oh, to be in your early 20s!), we drunkenly pinky promised each other that we’d move abroad for a bit after getting married, and celebrate Oktoberfest in Munich.

This pinky promise set a plan in motion that we’ve been working on for years.

I searched high and low for the documents needed to apply for Irish citizenship through my Nan, who was born and raised in Waterford. Nine months and several bureaucratic red tape-induced headaches later, I was a dual citizen and EU passport holder. This meant that Kevin and I would have an easier time living, working, and traveling throughout Europe.

I left my full-time marketing job at Fitbit, and after taking a few months off, I started consulting. Kevin asked his Bay Area-based company if he could stay on and work remotely from Europe. They were on board, especially since they’re trying to expand their presence overseas. Professionally, we were good to go!

We ended our San Francisco lease in December. We Marie Kondo-ed the living daylights out of our stuff, selling or donating a lot of it, and storing the rest in my parents’ basement. It was pretty hard to say goodbye to the Nerd Cart (i.e. my Honda Civic), which I’ve had since I was 16. It was also difficult to part with our beautiful kitchen table, which was the center of so many book clubs, poker nights, Thanksgiving dinners, and date nights over the course of six years. Mostly, though, we felt lighter and ready for an adventure.

Next Stop, France!

So, after nearly a decade of dreaming and scheming, Kevin and I are finally holding our one way tickets to Europe! We have two checked bags and two carry on bags between us. We decided to pack *somewhat* lightly so we can travel from place to place with ease. We’ll be staying mostly in furnished apartments, which we’re thoroughly vetting for kitchen appliances (praise be to stovetops and coffee makers!), acceptable bathrooms (can I get a what what for showers and towel heaters?), and comfortable living rooms – a necessity for any remote worker.

First stop? The Côte d’Azur and Provence countryside for three weeks! I suspect spending my 30th birthday in Èze will ease the terror of entering a new decade. 😉 Afterwards, we’ll spend a couple of weeks in the Netherlands to catch the world-famous flower parade and tulip bloom. Then, we’ll post up in Dublin for a couple of months while we explore our heritage and fill ourselves to the brim with fresh Guinness.

I’m looking forward to writing about and photographing our time abroad. Stay tuned here and on Instagram to follow our adventures! À bientôt!