About the Author:

Tyler Durbin is the lead author and editor here at GenYJourney.com.  Tyler shares his daily experiences as a recent college grad and young professional and loves to talk with readers and followers about theirs. Say something below in the comments or stop by Twitter and connect with @TylerDurbin.

“Ruh Roh”

That phrase keeps running through my head. But, it’s an ornery, excited, nervous “ruh roh.” It’s tough to explain.

(Quoting Scooby Doo is probably not a good sign for my maturity level and my capability to take a huge step in my life.)

We’ve been together exactly 3 years now. We’ve spent that time together at college (1 year), long-distance after graduation (1 year), living together for a summer (4 months) and then living in the same city but different apartments (8 months). Now, we’re taking the plunge and sharing a residence…permanently.

There are so many things running through my head right now, though, in preparation of moving just less than 30 days from now.

“What are we going to do with all our shit?”

I’m not a fan of possessions and I’m a huge fan of open space. The GF on the other hand not so much. But either way, we need to move two apartments into one. So, I’ve implemented my own 30 Day Minimalist Challenge. In the month of June, I’ve pledged to get rid of one item in my apartment each day.

I’m cool with this. It actually feels good to get rid of stuff. But it’s still hard parting with a few things:

My Grill: I’ve had this since my sophomore year in college. I can’t tell you how many cheeseburgers that have been cooked on this thing or how many near explosions we had back on Plum St. while cooking out with the boys. But we are moving to a place where there is no patio and we just can’t have it.  Regardless, if I have the grill or not, those memories will never go away.

My Bed: I love that thing. Period. But, it’s another one of those things that has been around forever – I think I’ve been sleeping on that thing for 10+ years now. It’s needed to go for a long time…

“If this works out, we will never live alone again!”

Talk about scary. I’m a very independent person and it’s weird to think that I may never have my own place again. I have places I go to relax, though: Gym, Coffee Shops, Bar and back home. And just because we live together, doesn’t mean we have to do everything together. #justify

“Shit or get off the pot.”

I told my Dad this morning about our plans to move in. My dad is old-school. I don’t think he agrees with this decision but I didn’t anticipate he would (probably the reason I didn’t ask what he thought about it). Since I’ve been about 13, he’s been worried that I’m going to run away with the wrong girl, only to be put in a really tough position down the road. I don’t know the story of what happened between my parents but my guess is that is about how it went.

When I talked to him, he almost immediately asked “What happens when 3 weeks down the road, you guys end up hating each other?” I told him that I was moving in to his house. He only chuckled. But, then I spoke to him seriously.

“Dad, we’ve been together for 3 years now. It’s time to shit or get off the pot – time will tell. If the living situation doesn’t work out, then we know that we aren’t right for each other. If it works out, then we know it will be time to think next steps.”

(I’m so glad the GF doesn’t read this blog, I’m sure she wouldn’t appreciate my sitting on the pot metaphor for our relationship)

“Yeah, man, that’s the good stuff.”

I really am excited about this move.

This is the greatest girl I’ve ever met. I love her. She’s great. Phenomenal. We’re both super chill and laid back and 3 years in we’ve yet to have any serious issues. If she gets mad at me, I laugh at her and she does the same to me. We don’t let ourselves get caught up in stupid things.

Other good stuff:

Great Location: We will be in the HEART of the Short North in Columbus. There is not a better place in the state of Ohio to live in. It’s the center of everything that is happening in Columbus and we are going to be living it from just a few floors above.

Saving Money: In rent alone, I’ll be saving $300 a month. That’s huge when you’re carrying in the ballpark of $35,000 in debt. I’m not readjusting my budget in this move, either; I’m only reallocating that $300 toward my debt instead of rent.

So…Let me have it…is this a good move or not?

Have you moved in with your significant other before marriage? How did it go?