Listen to the full version of this conversation on the Italy Answered podcast for every detail and story shared.
Families often wonder what it’s like moving to Italy with children — not just for a vacation but for everyday life. In this edition of Chat with an Expat, we meet Risa and Tanner, the duo behind the popular YouTube channel Our Story to Tell. High school sweethearts turned global travelers, they’ve lived in Germany, Japan, and now Italy with their daughters, Willa and Noa, who are growing up bilingual (and even multilingual).
In our conversation, we discuss how they started their journey, the challenges and joys of parenting abroad, raising bilingual children, and their growing online community. Their perspective offers a candid look at the ups and downs of moving to Italy with children — and how they’ve embraced life in Vicenza, Veneto.
Where were you born and raised? (02:11)
Tanner: So both of us were raised in the US, like you mentioned before. I was born and raised in Utah, and Risa was born and raised in Idaho and Utah. That’s eventually where we met — middle school and high school.
Risa: We’re like the typical high school sweethearts. We went to the same university, graduated, and before we started full-time work, we backpacked the world. We fell in love with travel and started to dream of that expat life for us. From there, we went back to the States for a little bit and then did whatever we could to get abroad.
What inspired you to move abroad? (03:11)
Risa: Our first journey was in Germany, and we were there for almost three years. We absolutely loved it. It was our first time living abroad and even our first time exploring Germany. It was a big leap of faith but wonderful for our family. Our oldest daughter, Willa, was still quite a baby, and we were just starting this adventure. She ended up going to German kita — childcare — around the age of two, which helped us integrate and become part of the German community.
After Germany, we moved to Japan for a year. That stay was shorter than we expected, but when an opportunity to come to Italy came up, we couldn’t pass it up. We’ve been here about six months now.
Did your wanderlust begin with that backpacking trip, or earlier? (04:20)
Tanner: Both of us traveled a lot in the U.S. as kids — national parks, camping, outdoors. But neither of us left the country until our late teens. I lived in El Salvador and Belize for a few years serving a church mission, and later we traveled to Belize together. Risa had previously traveled to Thailand on her own, and those trips really opened up our desire to travel.
Once we finished college, we planned a trip through Asia — four months in Southeast Asia and another month in Australia and New Zealand. That really kick-started the idea of making international living a possibility.
What were the challenges of moving to Italy with children? (07:51)
Risa: Honestly, we were a little naive about how hard it would be. Moving when Willa was one, we knew having a baby meant sleepless nights, but we didn’t consider how much harder it would be with constant moves. Three moves in four years — Germany, Japan, and now Italy — come with challenges like changing schools and childcare.
Still, the rewards outweigh the struggles. Seeing our kids grow through these experiences makes it worth it. We’d do it again, for sure.
Tanner: Yeah, she said it well.
We were a little naive about how difficult some of this would be with children — but the reward has exceeded it.
How is Willa learning Italian? (09:29)
Tanner: With all our moves, we’ve enrolled Willa in local schools to help her integrate — German daycare, Japanese programs, and now Italian kindergarten. My Spanish background helps me support her learning. She absorbs everything and comes home singing new songs or asking questions in Italian. It’s amazing to watch.
Risa: People comment that she speaks without an accent, which even helps me learn. Her books are simple, so I study with her. Honestly, she’s ahead of me, but it motivates me. Learning a new language as an adult is hard — but watching your child speak it so naturally is inspiring.
Her brain is just sponging everything she possibly can hear.
(The couple’s daughters are now bilingual and gaining exposure to multiple languages through their international moves.)
Why did you choose Vicenza, Italy? (12:09)
Tanner: Vicenza is near Verona in Veneto — close to the sea and the mountains, which we love. I work for the U.S. military as a civilian in health and safety, so the job brought us here. It’s not the city we would have chosen on our own, but it’s perfect for exploring. Venice airport is just an hour away, and the Dolomites are nearby. The small communities around Vicenza have a lot to offer.
Risa: Exactly. We can visit Germany again or travel throughout Europe easily. The location is ideal for our lifestyle.
How did your YouTube channel “Our Story to Tell” begin? (14:38)
Risa: The idea came to me while listening to a song in the car — it said something about “our story to tell.” I wanted a name that fit our evolving journey, not tied to one country. We started the channel in Germany to document family memories.
Tanner: It’s grown from a personal diary to a community. Risa does most of the editing, and we collaborate on video ideas and titles. I help with descriptions, links, and subtitles. Balancing filming and family life has taken trial and error, but we’ve found a rhythm.
How do you balance sharing your family life online? (20:10)
Tanner: We talk about this often as our kids get older. We want them in the videos but not too much. We also plan camera-free days. We film mostly while traveling — rarely at home — which keeps a healthy boundary.
Risa: Exactly. Our home life feels private, while our travel videos serve as a family diary. That balance helps us enjoy both worlds.
We don’t want to share every moment online — we need that break, and it keeps our family life balanced.
What resources can people find on your website? (22:17)
Risa: Our website features travel maps — especially detailed ones we made for Germany with over 1,000 pins for Christmas markets, food spots, and hidden gems. We also share travel guides, recipes from my background as a dietitian, and links to our YouTube videos. It needs updating, but it’s still a great resource.
Tanner: We scaled back when the YouTube channel took off, but we’d love to add more for Italy in the future.
How do you define the term “expat”? (27:04)
Tanner: To us, an expat is simply someone living outside their home country, often temporarily. We don’t see it as negative.
Risa: It’s neutral for us — just a word describing our life right now.
How long do you plan to stay in Italy? (28:54)
Tanner: My contract is three years, with a possible two-year extension. After that, we’ll see. We might find another position in Europe or return to the U.S., depending on opportunities.
Risa: We’d love to stay in Italy, especially as the girls grow and learn the language. But we’re open to new adventures, wherever life leads us.
What do you hope your children gain from this lifestyle? (31:10)
Tanner: I hope they grow up curious and compassionate. Living in different cultures shows you how little you know — and how much there is to learn. I want them to cherish diversity and different perspectives.
Risa: We hope they feel free to live the life they want — traditional or adventurous. We want them to see possibilities, not limitations.
We want them to believe they can make their life whatever they dream it to be.
What do you miss most about the U.S. — and what do you miss about Italy when you visit the States? (34:15)
Risa: Family, of course. Then little conveniences like air conditioning and ice makers! Japan had them, but Europe often doesn’t. Each country has its quirks — you adjust.
Tanner: For me, it’s language. In the U.S., you can explain things in detail without a second thought. Abroad, I always prep vocabulary before errands. It’s rewarding but tiring.
Risa: When we’re in the U.S., I miss Europe’s walkable cities, public transportation, and fresh markets. Italy already feels like home.
Joys and Challenges
Risa and Tanner’s story shows the joys and challenges of moving to Italy with children. From language learning to balancing work, travel, and family life, they’ve embraced each chapter with openness. Their journey — from high school sweethearts to global citizens — offers inspiration to anyone dreaming of making the leap abroad.
Follow “Our Story to Tell”
- Website: ourstorytotell.com
- YouTube: Our Story to Tell
- Instagram: @ourstory2tell
- Facebook: fb.me/ourstory2tell
Patreon: patreon.com/OurstorytoTell1
Email: ourstorytotellcontact@gmail.com
