Our House is a Very, Very, Very Fine House

I didn't really get to say goodbye to my old house. With all the hustle of getting everything into the new house, getting the old house cleaned, and just general everyday busy life; I never got to walk around my old house, take stock in the memories we made there the last four years, and just say goodbye. We close later today, and I still won't likely get that chance. So here goes.

Being the first house that I've ever owned, that we've ever owned, moving out is a bittersweet thing. Our family is growing, and we need more space.

There were times when I hated that house - like when the basement flooded and our cat, Scout, got sick in the same week. Or when water randomly started spraying out of the wall, and we realized the overall plumbing was crap. Or the leaky nightmare closet in the basement that I didn't like to go near when home alone. Overall, the numerous times something went wrong in that first couple of years.

But after putting time, energy, love (and yes, quite a bit of money) into that place; it became home, a haven, a place I looked forward to greeting each night.

It was the first house that truly belonged to us, and therefore truly belonged to my cat, Stewie. It's the house where we said goodbye to Stewie for the last time. It’s the house where we gave two wonderful cats, Scout and Wren, forever homes. It's the house where we put up real Christmas trees, laughed countless times, cried countless times, celebrated countless times, and hugged countless times. It’s the house where our first neighborhood greeting was by the wild turkeys that live in the area.

I survived my first pregnancy in that house. Our daughter spent her first 22 months of life in that house. It’s the house where Ahsoka and I watched the snow fall from the living room window; her eyes alight with wonder and excitement. I learned so much about life, home ownership, myself and what kind of parent I want to be - while living in that house. It's the house where I watched my husband become a wonderful father; strengthening our bond as partners, and our love for one another.

So thank you old house - thank you for all the memories, good and bad, and everything in between. I hope your new owners love you as much as we did.