• In 2005, my family moved to Japan when my then-husband was stationed there. • I look back fondly on the relaxing onsens, vibrant cherry blossom celebrations, and delicious food. • We only lived abroad for 3 years, but there are so many things I miss about living in Japan.

When my then-husband accepted military orders to Japan for his next duty station, I was nervously excited. At the time, my first child was barely over a year old, and I hated the thought of living so far away from our friends and family in the United States.

Despite never having used a passport before, I overcame my fears and embraced the idea of living in a foreign country for a few years.

In 2005, my family of three packed up and moved from Pensacola, Florida to Sasebo, Japan on the island of Kyushu. For three

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