The Final Week Before Departure: A True Marathon

The last week before our big departure felt like a true marathon. The house, once filled with memories and comfort, gradually transformed into a makeshift camp, with boxes invading every room.

Relief finally arrived when we received the long-awaited confirmation: we had tenants for the house! A huge sigh of relief swept through the entire family. Even better – we knew them. But despite this good news, a shadow still loomed over us—the car. Still not sold…

Our days were dictated by endless packing sessions, with piles of boxes that never seemed to shrink. Every corner held a memory to wrap, to protect. Friends were there, parents too, with strong hands and reassuring smiles, even as exhaustion began to take its toll. Every evening, we ate wherever we could—at one house, then another. The conversations, though lighthearted, carried an undertone of fatigue. Yet, the excitement of the adventure ahead gave us the energy to keep going.

The day before our departure for Brussels, everything sped up.The children, as always, were lost in their own world. At school, their teachers had prepared a sweet surprise—a tender, emotional moment. A special snack, laughter, quiet goodbyes—this was the kind of memory they would carry in their little hearts around the world.

But stress refused to leave us.The car… Every garage in the area had been contacted, to no avail. We had only a few hours left before departure. Then, the phone rang. A private buyer was interested. A last-minute meeting was set! The contract was signed at the eleventh hour, just before everything turned into a frantic race toward the finish line.

Amid the chaos, Martin, with his mischievous smile, decided to play hide-and-seek. Ten minutes of sheer panic as we searched everywhere. In the boxes, under the blankets—nothing. Then, all of a sudden, he proudly emerged from the wardrobe, declaring: "I’m really well hidden, Mom!"

By 6 PM, the house was finally ready—every box, every piece of furniture in its place. We took one last deep breath, thanked a friend who came to pick us up, gave our parents a big hug and kiss, and closed the door on this exhausting week.

Our first destination awaited us. The adventure was only just beginning.