Moving Day
Part one of two. Yes this is a saga. You're welcome.
Dear friends. We made it. The big apartment move is done and we’re sorting through the aftermath. We’re no longer existing in the mild comforts of a somewhat furnished temporary apartment. Saving each box, every bit of wrapping paper and bubble wrap. Spending days sorting and packing boxes with some sense of organization. Living half unpacked while attempting to re-pack. It’s done and dusted.
The first apartment was always a short-term plan for four months. It set us up for a soft landing in our new home. It determined where our son would attend vuggestue. Where our family doctor would be located. And how we set up the rhythm and routines of our days. When we returned last weekend to complete a final clean-up and walk through…I genuinely thought I would feel a pang of sadness. Closing the door on our first chapter here. However, upon reflection, my husband and I both simply felt…gratitude & closure.
Thursday August 1st was our official possession and move in day. We had a loose plan for the day, starting with a move in inspection and the official handing over of the keys (thanks to Property Manager Christian with a C). Followed by frantic measuring of windows for curtains (do you sense an impending Ikea visit? Winner winner!).
Have I mentioned that Danish apartments come with absolutely zero window coverings? And very few light fixtures. The Danes feel strongly about creating a sense of hygge in their homes and that includes the personal choice of light fixtures. Frankly I’m just grateful we’re not in Germany where folks take their kitchens with them.
Off we cycled in search of window coverings and a speedy lunch. I think it was our quickest visit to Ikea yet. Record time! Curtains, curtain rods, tools, hardware and a big floor lamp for the stue (living room). We paid and loaded up our bikes (an amusing sight I’m sure). Baskets, bags and parcel shelves completely stuffed. The 15-minute cycle back home was sweaty and a rather precarious pursuit.
At this point, pick up time for our son was quickly arriving and we needed to regroup. We had an impending Ikea furniture delivery (yes, I know… Ikea again) sometime between 4 and 8pm. So, we returned to the old apartment, collected anything needed to sort out dinner at the new place and tools to get the window coverings installed. Ah yes, and toys to entertain the toddler (balloons are my secret weapon lately).
Soon enough we returned to the new place. Ikea graced us with their arrival around 6pm. It was a curb-side delivery. We had ordered a couch, dining table, three dining chairs and a wardrobe for our son’s room. The boxes felt endless as the driver piled them up outside the backdoor of our apartment building. Saving the most overwhelming box for the end…a massive couch.
At this point we were still full of optimism in our ability to haul everything upstairs (first floor thankfully – so three sets of stairs….no we don’t have an elevator). Just between myself, my husband and our toddler “helping” by touching the boxes as we moved them. All went fine until we were left with the couch to hoist up the stairs. Where even a passerby stopped to assess and offer instructions on the best way to get it upstairs. I’m still not sure if we looked overwhelmed at this point? Or just, a bit apprehensive in our scheming.
We huffed and we puffed, we swore and we laughed. Through sheer willpower and a lot of strength (mostly my husband’s) …we got the couch upstairs! Absolute elation for all.
Cue hunger pangs and the declarations of a starving toddler. A snack break was in order while we built our dining table and chairs (and cooked dinner). Master multitasking. I’m proud to say we were all still in good humour at this point. Full of excitement to finally just be here, in this moment together. Another step in our Danish adventure.
The next day was filled with a proper moving van and a bit of hired help. But that’s another post, for another day. Next up…part two.
Much love my friends. Thanks for joining us on our adventure.
You are so brave Emily with your move to the other side of the world.