Saying goodbye to 2025 and our first 6 months in Belgium!

 We’ve officially been living in Belgium for six months, and now we’re ringing in the new year, 2026!  

This past year has been a whirlwind of activities and experiences.  

Just two weeks after our big move, my mom passed away. I don’t share much about it, except to say we lived together for almost 40 years, and when apart, we spoke on the phone at least once a day. A big part of me is missing now that she’s gone. This was my first Christmas without her, my dad, and my brother. For me, Christmas is all about family, and with so many missing, it just isn’t the same. Staying busy and making new memories has helped a lot.  

Since moving to Belgium, we’ve made it our mission to seize every chance to travel. In the past six months, we’ve explored 9 different countries, and I consider each experience a true gift. Traveling around Europe (except for the U.K.) feels a lot like driving from state to state in the U.S.—passports for us and the dogs in hand, but no checkpoints and no one asking to see them. The only real clue you’ve crossed a border is when our phone plan sends a “Welcome to ____” text, or you spot the sign.

Over the past month, we visited 7 different Christmas markets across Germany, France, and Belgium. They truly immerse you in the holiday spirit with their festive food, unique gifts, beautiful decorations, and joyful music. I’d heard they were special, but experiencing them firsthand really made Christmas feel complete.

One highlight was visiting the Christmas Capital in Strasbourg, France, where we were thrilled to meet up with our friends from Colorado who now live just 2.5 hours away in Germany. We loved spending the day together and hearing how much they’re enjoying life in Europe.

For Christmas, it was a quiet one. We had the Christmas parties and Christmas markets before we made it home just in time for a cozy Christmas Eve, watching the final season of Stranger Things and playing plenty of games. On Christmas Day, we visited Pairi Daiza Zoo and enjoyed lunch at their incredible Temple of Delights Buffet. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of this wonderful place.

I truly feel at home here in Belgium. The stunning countryside and the unhurried pace of life are so calming. I love how people don’t judge you for what you wear, where you live, or how you look—they embrace the differences. I appreciate how people here seek out friendships, socialize, and connect often. I could easily see us living here long term. Every day feels like a vacation, and that fills my heart with happiness.

I was asked to share more about the differences I’ve noticed living here, so here’s one. Driving, even with an automatic car, requires complete focus on the road at all times. I can’t and don’t use my phone while driving like I did in the U.S. The roads are too narrow, with plenty of curves and obstacles, to not be fully engaged. I love this because it makes me a much better driver. I also appreciate that travel times are accurate—if it says 15 minutes, it really takes 15 minutes. I definitely don’t miss traffic jams or rush hour.

Food is so much healthier without all the additives and preservatives. In Europe, milk isn’t refrigerated because of Ultra High Temperature processing, which heats it to at least 135°C for a few seconds, killing harmful bacteria and microorganisms. This gives it a shelf life of several months without refrigeration, with no need for preservatives, unlike in the U.S., where milk lasts about a week. In Europe, eggs aren’t washed after they’re laid but are carefully collected and stored in a clean, dry environment. This preserves the natural protective coating on the shell, reducing contamination risk and allowing them to stay unrefrigerated for 3–4 weeks. I find all of this fascinating and such a positive, though it hasn’t stopped me from indulging in all the goodies. Now I just need to focus on moderation when it comes to all this great food in 2026.