You remind me a bit of my own experiences! I don't think we Americans typically call ourselves expats when we move to Canada, but that's what I did to be with my partner - who wasn't even Canadian!

Things were harder then. He was Australian and could not immigrate to the U.S. We couldn't marry to give him the right to do that, and he didn't otherwise qualify. (People who think emigrating to the U.S. is easy should look into the requirements. Often, there's not even a line to get in.)

So, I moved to Montreal, and he joined me there until (after many years), he got his permanent residency, which I had qualified for much earlier.

Anyway, I can relate to the keys and the possessions! I had to carefully winnow everything down, and to this day, I wish I had kept some things I got rid of.

But it was ok. We built a life! We raised a child, and our neighbors welcomed us with open arms. And, as a special bonus, I learned to speak their language, which has enriched my life enormously.

I wish the same for you, and I look forward to reading more about your adventures!