{On learning that “new” doesn’t always have to hurt. // #VDAYMUGSWAP}

coffee cup + saucer from Anthropologie

There’s no holding back, I love a fresh cup of coffee in the morning. But what makes this morning routine even more fun is sipping coffee out of a meaningful mug. When Zack + I decided to move to Los Angeles we knew we wouldn’t be able to bring too many of our personal, meaningful items. We held a garage sale and sold a lot of our things, but we ultimately gave much more away. This process of emptying our home for our next big adventure was an emotional one. Some days it seemed very easy to continue preparing; other days were filled with big, hot tears as we made brave decisions together. Letting go of things is hard, ya know?

Preparing for this cross-country move meant we were only able to bring a few of our items with us: clothing, my sewing machine, a couple dishes + silverware, 1 set of bed sheets + pillows, 1 towel (seriously), some things for Bauer and lastly any critical documents.

Our Jeep was packed to the roof as we left our Minneapolis driveway in search for our new Los Angeles driveway.

We did ship a few boxes of picture frames/home decor and Gussy Sews supplies, but in reality our Los Angeles apartment is filled with a lot of “new”.

And “new” can be hard. “New” can hurt.

The actual move wasn’t what made my heart hurt, it was the increased distance between us and our families (they’re still in Michigan). And — to be honest, parting with some of our possessions made my heart hurt a little, too. We seem to move often, and by often I mean in almost 5 years of marriage we’ve lived in 3 states, 4 cities and 5 homes. We don’t collect a lot of junk, so the items we end up moving with us year after year mean something to us.

Our new Los Angeles kitchen may be filled with new items…

…but it’s also filled with visual reminders of being brave, chasing adventures, the blessings God has given Zack + I.

Like how our fridge is covered in ultrasound photos as we anxiously away our first baby’s arrival in the next couple of weeks. Oh my heart, writing that out makes my blue eyes fill with those oh-so-familiar big, hot tears.

Yes, we are so blessed, even amongst the “new”.

But back to that pretty new coffee cup I tease you with in the photos above :) A few weeks ago I signed up to participate in my first ever “Swap Hop”, hosted by Caroline of Sew Caroline and Alissa of Rags to Stitches, with the idea that two bloggers would swap mugs + treats in celebration of Valentine’s Day. By the way, I love all the photos that have been #VDAYMUGSWAP tagged on Instagram :)

Morgan from Binks and Babe and I became Swap Hop partners and she gifted me with my favorite candies: sour patch kids + peanut butter M&Ms. And as we prepare to celebrate Valentine’s Day tomorrow I find myself blessed once more. There’s a beautiful new mug sitting in my kitchen counter, reminding me that “new” doesn’t have to hurt. In fact, sipping coffee out of my new mug from Morgan will forever remind me of our braveness in moving to Los Angeles.

Happy Valentine’s Day! ♥

Where does your heart settle with “new”?