Emigrating as a family is one of the most challenging yet incredibly special parts of our journey. The idea of moving to the United Kingdom had always been on our minds, but the timing never seemed right—until now. For as long as I can remember, we had discussed it, but it always felt like a distant "one day" plan. Little did I know how quickly that day would come.

A year after Keagan and I finished school, my sister Caitlin decided to take a gap year and move to the UK. She stayed with our grandfather and kept us all updated with countless pictures and phone calls, sharing stories of her adventures. It was clear she was enjoying her time there, but there was always something missing—our family. We’re incredibly close, always talking, and having Caitlin so far away felt like a strange adjustment for all of us.

After spending a year working and exploring in the UK, Caitlin returned home to South Africa. However, once she was back, she quickly realized how hard it was to find the same opportunities here. The job market was much more limited, and the pay paled in comparison to what she was earning abroad. In the UK, she was earning the equivalent of R30k-R35k, only to return to a job in South Africa paying R8k for the same work. It felt like she was taking a step backward.

This realization reignited the conversation about moving back to the UK, and this time, it wasn’t just Caitlin thinking about it. My dad, Kevin, was born in the UK, which meant that Caitlin and I already had British passports, and my mom, Chantal, qualified for a spousal visa after being married to my dad for over 20 years. With Caitlin wanting to return, it got our parents thinking seriously about the move for themselves, and before long, the decision was made.

Keagan and I are lucky in that our work situation allows us to move abroad and keep our jobs. Keagan is a software developer, and I’m a web designer, which means we can work remotely. The flexibility is something we’re incredibly grateful for, especially since our boss is also moving to the UK and planning to open a branch there. It felt like everything was falling into place perfectly. With my sister heading back and my parents now seriously considering the move, it seemed like the stars were aligning for us all to make this life-changing transition together.

My dad and Caitlin left for the UK on January 20th, my mom will follow on March 3rd, and Keagan and I are planning to make the move in early May. Our family is saying goodbye in waves, and let me tell you, with the emotional family I belong to, there’s been no shortage of tears! Emigrating is tough, especially when it comes to saying so many goodbyes, but the fact that we’re all doing this together makes it that much more meaningful.

It’s not easy, but knowing that we’re embarking on this new chapter side by side gives me comfort and excitement. I’m so grateful for the support we have, and I can’t wait to build a new life in the UK with the people who mean the most to me.