KITCHENER — Natalia Edgar knows how to pack.

After all, the Kitchener native has criss-crossed continents, first as a girlfriend, then as a wife and ultimately a mom, to be with her husband, David, who is one of Canada's most experienced professional soccer players.

"Seven," she says, when asked how many times the family has moved. "So when I say we're experts at moving, we really are. We've moved countries and provinces. I can pack up a house and get someone ready to move in no time."

But now, for the first time, the Edgars are home.

No more moving. No more long-distance relationship. And no more uncertainty on the pitch.

The family, which includes six-year-old Lila and baby sister Arabella, 22 months, is gearing up for their second full year in Kitchener's Laurentian West neighbourhood, with David playing soccer for the Canadian Premier League's Forge FC, a short drive away in Hamilton.

"We're home now," said David, 32. "It's perfect."

It's a big change for the defender.

David is one of a handful of Canadians to ever collect a paycheque in the storied English Premier League.

Though raised in Kitchener, the son of Newcastle parents Eddie and Christine left home as a 14-year-old to train with Newcastle United's Academy for top prospects and worked his way up to the main squad by the time he was 19.

He's been kicking soccer balls around the world for different clubs in various leagues ever since. And while it's a fantastic life for a bachelor, things changed when he started dating his soulmate, whom he affectionately calls Tal.

The couple goes way back. They met as kids while playing Kitchener Minor Soccer at Budd Park.

"Back then it was very family oriented," said David. "You'd spend all your time there. I knew whenever the girls' teams were playing so I'd always go by."

Added Natalia: "We were always just friends. He was funny. There was always something there."

One summer, when he was with Burnley F.C. in England, he came back to Kitchener during the off-season and the duo reconnected. This time, when he returned to England, Natalia went to visit for a week. They've been together ever since.

"I went over and that was it," said Natalia, 33.

The decade-long romance has been highlighted by a destination-wedding five years ago in Jamaica for some 70 family and friends, as well as the arrival of two beautiful daughters.

The life of a professional soccer player has been exciting. As a young couple they got to see the world as David changed teams or suited up for Canada's men's national squad. He has made 42 appearances for the country.

But it also had its challenges.

Natalia, an esthetician by trade, owned and operated her own salon called Spa Bar in Waterloo, which meant bouncing back and forth between Canada and England. Visits lasted months at a time after they had their first daughter but still weren't permanent.

"We never had that time where we lived in the same city or country really," she said. "We didn't know anything other than long distance."

Said David: "It was very tough. It was probably harder for Natalia. I had my life there. She would come over and kind of fit into my life."

Kitchener was always their Canadian home base, even when the globe-trotting athlete played in North America. But the trio stayed close with regular visits, extended stays and lots of communication on FaceTime during his more recent stops in Vancouver, Nashville and Ottawa.

"We just made it work," said David.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

Like when Arabella was born. The defender was playing for Nashville and on a road trip in Indiana, but bolted after the match and drove eight hours through an ice storm to get back in time for her birth.

"I got home at 2 a.m.," he recalled. "Tal heard me come in and had a big contraction and we went right to the hospital. I just made it back in time."

It was a bit of a wake-up call for David. The pull of fatherhood and obligations of a husband were growing. So, when a pro gig in England didn't materialize last summer, he started looking more closely at the fledgling Canadian Premier League for work.

The new league launched this past season with a mandate to develop and foster Canadian soccer players. And one of its franchises, Forge FC, was down the road in Hamilton. When an offer came up, David pounced.

"It worked out perfect," he said. "Once we finally made the decision, it was like a weight off my shoulders. We can live a normal life."

This past fall, David got to see Lila's excitement as she started Grade 1. He's home to kiss Arabella goodnight. And he's there to support Natalia, who works part time at Kitchener's Evolution Concepts in Hair.

The family — and numerous relatives and friends — flock weekly to Hamilton's Tim Hortons Field to see him in action. After the game, the Edgar clan convenes on the turf. The visits aren't rushed and sometimes move to a nearby patio or restaurant.

"One of my favourite pictures I've got is me holding the baby and walking Lila down the tunnel (to the dressing room) after the game," said David.

On the field, Forge ended up winning the inaugural league championship. The year was such a success David re-signed with the club for the upcoming season, which begins in April.

"This is the longest we've been together as a family for sure," he said. "Now we're here and I can set down roots."

That means playing soccer, but also setting himself up for the next step in his career.

David launched a successful soccer camp in Kitchener over the Christmas holidays and ran another one in Waterloo during the Family Day long weekend. He has plans to run camps in other cities across Canada. He also wants to explore coaching in the future.

For now, he's focused on playing soccer.

"I've got a lot of football left in me," he said. "I know I do. But I'm not scared of retiring. I'm much more open to the different opportunities that are coming up. I feel like I'm going to transition very easily."

And when he makes that decision, his family will be by his side.