Essay: New to Loudoun

Essay: “Being New to Loudoun County”

Nearly two years ago in Brazil, my life was calm and easy. I was surrounded by family and operated my own dental office, which I owned for 15 years. My children David and Lucas, ages 4 and 6, attended an excellent international school. However for a number of reasons, my husband and I ultimately wanted to live in the United States.

My husband was building a new freight forwarding company called Porthos International Corporation. For 3 years, our life was upside down; Julio was in the U.S. much of the time and only in Brazil some of the time. Being away from each other for so long was hard. So, two years ago, we decided it was time to move our family to the U.S.

It was December, between Christmas and New Years. It symbolized a new beginning but it was our first time alone on this holiday. It was a mark of the changes to come. Our lives would never be the same. I have never had the chance to live in a place with four seasons. Winter, though cold and dark, provided the pleasure of a hot chocolate or a cup of coffee, something I hadn’t enjoyed in snow before. Spring is a renaissance--every single color showed us the value of new beginnings. Then, came summer, which is as if I am at home in Brazil. We loved the hot weather and the bright sun which arrived earlier each day. We appreciated the longer days so that we are able to work and produce more. However, fall is my favorite season. I cannot describe to my friends and family in Brazil the beauty of the colors in this season. For me it is a new painting every day, happening right in front of my eyes.

There is so much to learn, understand and discover. It has been a learning experience for my entire family. Every single day, we learn different words, habits, attitudes, flavors and foods. It has been a pleasure to be part of my new community, which is so diverse and enthusiastic.

Leaving Brazil for a new country has not been easy, but I am so grateful and pleased to live in the Loudoun community these last 2 years. We have met so many nice people from across the area who have helped us. I believe more good things will come our way. We are doing our best to be a part of the United States and our local community. We hope to achieve our goals in Loudoun by sending our children to great schools, building my husband’s shipping business in Sterling, and helping our neighbors. We are grateful to finally call Loudoun our HOME.

Essay by Erica Morelli, a Loudoun Literacy Council student who lives with her husband and two children in Ashburn.