Joe and I have lived together in Bordeaux, Los Angeles,
Orange County, Seattle, San Diego, and now we’re back in Orange County. I never
thought this would be where we’d settle. I had imagined London, Paris, or
Bangkok -somewhere urban, filled with culture, diversity, and museums, all
within walking distance of the metro. I still daydream a bit about these places
but it seems that we’re here to stay. We live 20 minutes away from every core
member of Joe’s family and spending time with them is our great joy -the kids
and ours! I never thought I would say it but I love where we live- LOVE IT.
It’s absolutely white, posh Suburbia -it seriously looks like the set of
Desperate Housewives, complete with cast and probably plot! I have to say I did
cringe when we moved here. Moi, an elitist French woman, moving to the suburbs?
Non merci. I fought the idea quite a bit. Intellectually I had a very hard time
considering this move a good idea. I looked into diversity (terrible!), schools
(excellent!), walk score (dismal!), houses (lovely!). In the end, we decided
that if we were to live in Orange County it would make sense to be as close as
possible to Joe’s family in an environment that was nurturing for the boys. So
we moved to this slice of suburban paradise, and boy am I glad we did.
For one, the boys love living here. There are so many
children their age in the neighborhood. Our oldest Léo can walk to our
next-door neighbor or a couple of doors down, knock, and instantly have friends
to play with. It’s perfect. We can walk to daycare and school. There are green areas
to play everywhere -it’s just perfect for them.
I, on the other hand, thought that I would not mix well with
the people here -especially with women who probably don’t work and vote
Republican. And it’s true that the majority of the moms I know fall into both
categories. But I have completely enjoyed them and learnt to tone down my dumb
assumptions (how judgmental can one be? Very, apparently). On the contrary, I
appreciate our shared parenthood experience and share in the humor and pain of
raising little ones, exchange recipes, joke about needing wine at 2pm. Our
conversations are simple, yet so friendly and joyful. I also found like-minded
friends- staunch liberals who, when I waver about my commitment to this place, remind
me that change happens locally, slowly, and that we must do what we can where
we are - one conversation, one march, one town hall meeting or one library
event at a time. What is not to love in that?
