That's pretty much been the general response when Brent and I tell people we're moving to Nashville. Not that people object, or have anything negative to say, but that they are mostly surprised that we're moving. I guess when you live in the same place that you were born, raised, went to college and met your spouse, most people don't expect you to ever leave.

It all started about a year ago - almost to the day when we found out we were moving to Nashville...

March 23, 2007: Brent and I took advantage of a wonderful discount available to us at the Opryland Hotel (AMAZING place to stay if you get the opportunity) for our 2 year anniversary. This was probably our third or fourth time to Music City and it seemed every time we visited, drove around the city, and eventually drove back to Chattanooga, it continued to get more difficult to come home. We wanted to stay. There was something in "Music City" captivating us to stay.
I remember on our drive back on that trip, how emotional Brent and I became as we realized that it wasn't some quirky feeling, but something real and something making us want to stay. We knew it wouldn't be smart to just up and move to Nashville, but we heard so clearly from God that we should wait. We decided to "re-evaluate" the Nashville situation in exactly one year.

2007 was an amazing year for us. I really settled into my job and started thoroughly enjoying it - it was very rewarding for me, challenging at times (what job isn't) but I enjoyed it. Brent had his ups and downs throughout the year: he became the president of his Toastmasters Club (speaking group) and the area governor, which is pretty impressive. I've known he is called to do so much more than financial calculations for an insurance company all day. (he's very good at it, but has SO much more to offer)
We also had the wonderful opportunity to teach a great group of 11th graders at our church and grew extremely close to them.
In November, I received a phone call from Thomas Nelson publishing in Nashville regarding a job that I had applied for in March. (ok, so even though we heard to wait, I still put a few "feelers" out there in march, but never heard anything. at the time, I took it as a clear sign to not do a thing)
I ended up having a telephone interview and it was starting to look as if I would be contacted for an interview. Brent and I told our parents about our Nashville feelings and it was the first time they had heard we were considering the move. They were a little surprised, but I think it was good for them to hear it so early. As it turns out, I was never contacted again by Thomas Nelson which was fine. It was such a strange timing and just didn't feel right anyway.

Fast forward to 2008: We entered 2008 with an expectant attitude.
We had just visited Nashville again for me to go wedding dress shopping with my cousin. That weekend, Brent told me about a job in Nashville that was posted with his company. He talked about it and decided he would see if he could apply for it on Monday.

On Monday morning, Brent got permission from his boss in Chattanooga to apply for the job, he contacted the manager in Nashville and by Friday, he was interviewing for the position.
We were so excited - he came out of the interview and felt amazing. (Hopefully, he'll get on later and tell you all about it in his own words)
On the same day, I was fortunate to have an interview at a local mall's marketing department. I didn't get it, but I am TOTALLY ok with it.

We were told we would have an answer on the job within a week and a half....2 weeks pass and still no answer. At this point, we're heading out to San Francisco to see our great friend, Stephanie and we still haven't heard anything about the job in Nashville.

San Fran is AMAZING - we were driving through Sonoma, when Brent got "the call." It was right then and there and everything was negotiated - the job offer, the salary - everything. It was amazing, but I still don't think it has hit us - we're moving to Nashville!!

Of course I took a picture of "the call" and even a picture of the sign for the racetrack to prove that's where we were when we got the news:

We waited a few hours before we started calling all our family: we wanted to truly enjoy and bask in the excitement, while at the same time try to enjoy our amazing vacation. (it was kind of funny actually)
We found out we had just two short weeks before Brent would start in Nashville (it's just 2 hours away from Chattanooga, where we grew up, but still - we had an entire house to move....rent or sell?)

So...five days and we're moving to Nashville: but hey, when Opportunity Knocks....