Chapter 1: A Surprising Gift on My Wedding Day

As I approached the end of the red-carpeted aisle, I felt a mix of excitement and nostalgia, knowing that I was leaving behind a significant part of my life. I anticipated my father whispering “I love you,” but instead, he said, “Don’t be a stranger.” Those unexpected words turned out to be the invaluable advice I didn’t realize I needed.

A few years after my wedding, I moved to Belgium, which provided me with a chance to truly take my father's advice to heart. My Neunreiter ancestors had settled in St. Louis over a century ago after emigrating from Alsace-Lorraine. Like them, I had developed a fondness for the familiar, and the thought of relocating overseas was daunting.

Arriving in a new country forced me to make a choice: I could either grieve the loss of my previous life or seize this extraordinary opportunity. I chose to let my curiosity overpower my fears.

I immersed myself in the local culture, exploring bustling markets filled with the scent of fresh tulips and waffles. I was astonished at how a visit to the ER required nothing more than a paper towel with my contact info. I marveled at the practicality of boxed milk.

While embracing this new adventure meant I was no longer a stranger in Belgium, I worried that my absence would turn me into a stranger to my loved ones back home. With my children growing up so quickly, I was determined that they wouldn't become strangers to their roots either.

With social media still in its infancy, I began blogging about the intricacies of my expat life. I shared my experiences, both the struggles and the triumphs. Yet, it wasn’t until I returned to Brussels five years later that I truly understood how much I had changed. I navigated the city with confidence, and the waffle vendor greeted me as if I had never left.

At last, I felt at home.

While I enjoyed the chance to reinvent myself with each move, returning to the U.S. and then relocating from Virginia to Texas presented its own set of challenges. I was out of place; I didn’t listen to country music or eat crawfish, and “y’all” felt foreign to me. Fitting in seemed like an uphill battle, but I understood that this too would not remain unfamiliar forever.

I tapped into my inner extrovert and pitched my writing skills to local magazines, which welcomed me with open arms. I relished spending time with neighbors, listening to their remarkable stories about building airplanes at 18 or overcoming cancer at 60.

I explored local businesses and gathered tales of entrepreneurs starting wineries and producing films. I transitioned from knowing little about my new home to being well-acquainted with its unique quirks. However, it wasn't just about acquiring knowledge; it was about sharing experiences, learning, and fostering connections.

In my quest to avoid becoming a stranger to my surroundings, I unintentionally became one to myself. I had morphed from “Julia” into “Mia’s mom” and “Jack’s mom” — lovely titles, indeed — but I yearned to rediscover who I was beyond those identities.

A casual chat with a neighbor prompted me to help students enhance their writing skills, which blossomed into more than I anticipated. I found joy in forming connections with others and discovering what ignited their passions or caused them to retreat.

Through this journey, I've learned so much about myself. I’m more curious and insightful than I had ever realized. From my interactions, I've gained awareness of the issues that matter, such as mental health and social injustices, and I've been inspired by young people striving to make a positive impact.

I began this adventure as a stranger to both myself and others, but I’m committed to changing that every day.

Nearly two decades later, my father's advice remains etched in my heart. I refuse to be a stranger — not to my family, not to those who rely on me, and even not to those I have yet to meet. Instead, I embrace the new experiences that come my way, making them familiar and truly my own.

Chapter 2: The Journey of Self-Discovery

Julia Byrd has been captivated by words since her childhood, where she created handmade reference books for her school library. With over two decades of writing expertise, she has worked as a copyeditor for an international brokerage, a tech writer for a government contractor, and an in-house writer for an event planning firm, among other roles. Currently, she focuses on coaching students with their college admission essays. When not assisting students, Julia enjoys searching for the world's best French Dip sandwich or contributing to her personal website. She has a particular fondness for the apostrophe, as it serves as a reminder that there’s always more to explore.