The Cretella Family
Connecticut to Spain
From Clients to Collaborators
Meet The Cretella Family — Rebecca, Jeff, and their sons, Nathan (10) and Noah (6).
After years of feeling the weight of America’s fast-paced, overextended lifestyle, they made the bold choice to sell nearly everything they owned and move from Connecticut to Madrid, Spain.
For them, this wasn’t just a relocation; it was a reorientation toward what matters most: time together, meaningful work, cultural discovery, healthier lifestyle, and raising their children to be resilient, curious, and globally minded.
What began as a client relationship with their attorney quickly evolved into a meaningful collaboration, inspired by the Cretellas’ determination to build a new life abroad with both honesty and heart.
Having navigated everything from visas and logistics to helping their children process big emotions, they now share their story so that other families can find the courage, clarity, and support they need to take their own leap.
Rebecca Cretella, Founder of Heart and Home Abroad, Copywriter & Creator
Rebecca is the founder of Heart and Home Abroad, a platform dedicated to helping moms and families prepare for international relocation with more calm, connection, and confidence.
Through social media, digital resources, and practical tools, she documents her own family’s transition abroad while offering guidance to others navigating the same challenges.
Alongside this passion project, Rebecca runs a successful copywriting consultancy, partnering with high-ticket coaches, personal development brands, and wellness companies to craft emotionally resonant, conversion-driven messaging.
She is also a creator at heart, designing journals, planners, and affirmation decks sold on Amazon and Etsy, blending her love of words, strategy, and creativity into products that inspire and support others.
Jeff Cretella, Special Education Teacher, Coach & Spanish Language Student
Jeff is a dedicated Special Education Teacher with more than 18 years of experience supporting children with social/emotional disabilities and behavioral needs in therapeutic academic programs.
Known for his calm, steady presence, he has guided students through challenges while also serving as a coach in track & field and football.
Now, as part of the family’s relocation, Jeff is enrolled in a Spanish language program at a Madrid university—a commitment that reflects both his dedication to education and his determination to fully embrace life in Spain.
Together with Nathan and Noah, the Cretella Family offers an honest, relatable perspective on what it means to uproot life in the U.S. and rebuild in Spain.
Their openness about both the practical and emotional realities of moving abroad makes them trusted collaborators for families considering a similar leap.
Their story is not only about logistics and paperwork, but also about values and vision—choosing to live slower, healthier, and more connected lives.
They demonstrate how resilience, creativity, and community can transform challenges into opportunities, and how children can grow stronger when guided through such a profound change with love and openness.
Follow along @heartandhomeabroad as they continue building their new life abroad—sharing encouragement, insights, and the reminder that while the process is rarely simple, it can be profoundly rewarding.