From Sunset to Sunrise
One sunset changes a chapter ...
The next sunrise welcomed us to the adventure of a lifetime.
The Ryan family has officially arrived in Basel, and after a few days here, it finally feels like we’re beginning to catch our breath.
Before anything else, we’re incredibly grateful for the friends who became family during our time in Minnesota and for our actual family, who made saying goodbye one of the hardest things we’ve ever done.
Leaving Minnesota was emotional for all of us. Over the last decade, we built a life there. Our kids grew up alongside amazing classmates, coaches, teachers, neighbors, and cousins. Lindsey and I found ourselves growing closer to our parents in new ways and building deeper friendships with our siblings. We loved opening our home to friends and family, filling it with laughter, celebrations, game nights, and countless memories. Those relationships are something we poured our hearts into, and we don’t take a single one of them for granted.
As our plane taxied down the runway at MSP, the sun was setting.
It felt fitting.
Our chapter in Minnesota was setting too.
But every sunset is followed by another sunrise.
Our Minnesota story isn’t over. We’ll be back often, and more importantly, we’ll stay connected. We hope you’ll send the random text, FaceTime call, or vacation idea. And don’t be surprised if you get a few from us. Distance changes how we stay connected, but it doesn’t change how much we care about the people we’ve left behind.
This morning, I went for a walk before the day’s 95-degree heat (yes…95 degrees and no air conditioning). As the sun came up, it rose over a vineyard with an old castle standing watch in the distance.
That sunrise felt like our new beginning.
For the next two years, this is home.
We’re surrounded by rolling hills, vineyards, cobblestone streets, church bells, birds singing, and the occasional soundtrack of cowbells echoing in the far distance. In the morning Lindsey walks this route to work, and after a short 15-20 minute tram ride, we’re in the heart of Basel.
The kids have already found their favorite gelato shop, where each cone is shaped into a beautiful flower. We’ve had a chance to spend an evening sitting along the Rhine watching, taking everything in. Also enjoying watching a Swiss tradition. In just thirty minutes, we watched more than fifty people floating down the river after work/HH/other, carrying their belongings in brightly colored Wickelfisch bags—a waterproof bag invented right here in Basel. Friends float together, stop for an apéritif along the riverbanks, and continue drifting downstream. It feels uniquely Swiss, wonderfully simple, and exactly the kind of experience we’re excited to share with visiting friends and family. Hopefully this weekend, we’ll be floating right alongside them.
We’ve already explored the neighborhood pool, grocery stores, local shops, and nearby towns. While English and a ton of miming/pointing/laughs gets us through most interactions, I’m quickly realizing just how far I have to go with my German. Once the kids head back to school on August 12, learning the language will become one of my biggest personal goals.
The kids are excited.
They’re nervous.
…so are we.
But that’s probably how every great adventure begins. A healthy mix of nerves and joy.
As we settle into life here, this website/blog will become our family’s journal of sorts. You’ll hear from me, Lindsey, and the kids as we share stories, reflections, travel adventures, funny moments, cultural observations, and the little discoveries that make everyday life of our journey so special.
Most of all, we hope this keeps us connected to the people we love.
And speaking of staying connected…The guest room will officially be open very soon!
We can’t wait to share this adventure with you.
