When are you coming home?

Living abroad I get asked this question a lot.  This post is more of a rant, but hey, it's my blog.

I equate people asking me this question to the "when are you having kids" question.  In other words, I hate it.

There isn't some law attached to getting married that says you must have kids.  Why then is that the only question that people seem to ask me and my husband?  I will never understand it.  

Back to "When are you coming home?"  My question back to anyone that asks this is WHY?  Why is it that you think I should come home?  Before I continue, let me clarify that there is a difference between asking me when I'll be home for a visit, and when are you moving/coming back home.  I don't mind the "when are you visiting?" question.

So, why should I come home?  Really.  What's the real reason?  Right now, I am happy, making enough money to put money in my savings account every month, travel anywhere I want, and have quite a bit of free time to enjoy life.  I have friends here, people I care about, my husband is here, my dog is here.  I have all the modern technologies that allow me to keep in touch with everyone at home. So why, why is it that so many people feel I should come home?

Come home to what? Car payments, hitting the streets to try and find a good paying job, bills, bills, etc.  Sure sure, I get that I am missed at home, and I appreciate that.  But after the newness of my return wears off and everything is back to normal, then what?  I realize I'm painting a bleak picture of home, and that is not my intention.  If I had to go home tomorrow, I wouldn't fall into some deep dark hole of depression, but life is pretty easy where I am.  Why would I want to return to something that I know won't be nearly as simple or enjoyable?

I realize that I can't stay here forever, but why rush me?  There is plenty of time to rejoin the American 9-5, 2 weeks vacation life.  Right now, I am living a part of my life that I will be able to look back on and know that I have really lived.  I have seen and touched some of the Wonders of the World.  My passport is nearly full of stamps...The memories we are making will last us a lifetime, and in the end will make us better people...more content people.

I don't want to be, *rephrase* I won't be a coulda woulda shoulda person. 

So the question I want to ask all of you is "When are you coming to visit me?  No amount of story-telling or pictures will ever do this experience justice.  It's something you simply have to experience first-hand for yourself.  I would bet that after experiencing what we experience on a daily basis for just one week, that you will at least hesitate before asking me again, "When are you coming home?"  You may even ask me instead, "When can I come back for a visit?" 

See you soon! 
Hugs and kisses and much love to all our family who misses us.  I know why you want us to come home, it's the same reason I want you to visit!