I'm moving my family out of state for a new job that's a fantastic opportunity. However, telling our friends and neighbors has been hard because we've loved our experience here. The toughest part is that from the time of me accepting the offer to my planned start date is only a few weeks. We've found that for some people we know this is simply unacceptable and doesn't give everyone a chance at a proper goodbye.

In the last week it's gotten to the point where many members of the ward (including our closest friends) are continually berating us with jokes about our family being in the witness protection program. It was funny at first, but now it's coming across as increasingly passive aggressive. It's become an excuse for people to indirectly bash us for being so insensitive and eager to leave - both of which we are trying not to do. And to add to the drama, my wife's best friend is essentially ghosting us because she thinks we're purposely trying to get away quickly.

I just don't understand the drama. Shame on me for putting my family's situation first, I guess.