Tuesday, before flying home to Grand Rapids from Atlanta, Steve and I went and sat in my parents’ library.  The library was the “I have something serious and private that I want to talk to you about” room growing up (also good for studying for exams).  We had about a five minute conversation, during which I asked Steve, point-blank, to make a decision about where to live.

“I need to know, and you’re leaving,” I said.  This was it.

“OK, we’ll live in Weesp,” he replied.

The next morning, I found him at the computer, measuring distances from the train station to the school in Almere.  “It’s not as close as I thought,” he said.  I held my breath and hoped he would change his mind.

He left.  Wednesday morning on the phone, I asked if he’d had any new thoughts about our decision.  His answer: nothing game changing.  Weesp was the best option.

Then I got an email.

It was a game changer.

The International School Utrecht finally returned my query about whether they had spaces for our children.  After hearing nothing from them for two months, I had closed that door.  But no.  The answer was yes.  Yes, they did.  I dialed the international number just to hear a voice say it in person.

This is our Third Way.  

We can live in Utrecht, within walking distance of our kids’ school and the central train station.  It is an old European city with a vibrant university culture, canals, and green spaces.  It is a 27 minute train to Amsterdam.  (Weesp was a 17 minute ride and Hilversum was a 20 minute ride, but I can handle 10 more minutes with a smile.)

Now we have to agree on which house to rent.  We have identified three that we like, based on the realtors’ photos and descriptions–all viable options.  Perhaps only one will work out, or perhaps it’s time to buy more sticky notes.