A moment to ponder
As we prepare to move our family from the home we have lived in for the last 8 years…. I have been pondering all that this home has brought us.
When we moved here we had recently brought our first son home from Russia – so this home is the only one he really knows. I remember setting up our bed and his pack n play out in our three season room while we had the hard wood flooring finished. We lived out there for almost a week in this one room of the house. It was so fun!
Then a mere year later, our best friends moved into the house next door. Oh what fun that was. That in and of itself has brought late nights, pajama parties, best friends for the kids and us and hours and hours of eating and drinking together. These are friends we will have for life. They mean so much to us. We even used to have a “duck” we would put in our window and if it was there, it meant you were free to come on over. The duck of friendship we called it. 
Not too long after that some other special friends moved into the home a couple houses over on the same little “lake” where we have had many paddle boat rides and fishing and even a little splashing around IN the water (for the kids of course). Our children shared yards, and sleepovers and play things – having them there has brought much laughter and joy to our lives for us and our kids. They too mean so much to us as a family and for me personally, brought me one of my dearest friends.
We also have memories of the pig roasts we would have here – one year having 75 people! It was amazing.
We brought our youngest son home from the hospital to this very home. This is the only home he knows and the memories of having a new baby in a home will always stay with you forever.
I guess you could say this house has brought a lot of joy to our lives as a family. There have been many times lately that I have thought of it as a curse more than a blessing, so taking a step back has been really good for me as we move on to a new adventure.
It is often said that the suburbs can suck the soul right out of you if you aren’t careful, and I am here to tell you this is very true, but I’m also here to say that if you have good friends surrounding you, you will be just fine.
It’s the house yes, but more importantly its really never a “thing” – its always the people that matter most. Recently I was able to rekindle a friendship that I have had for 12 years and though it has always been a good friendship, it was only recently really becoming closer than ever. I am leaving here knowing I have yet another best friend that I can rely on and will always have for life.
Last night was a going away of sorts. When I stop and really think about it, it doesn’t feel like I’m really going away – a 4 hour trip doesn’t feel that way. And if these friendships really matter, the 4 hours that separate us will be just a small obstacle in the grand scheme of staying friends forever.
Me, Chris, Heather, Laura
We celebrated at the honey cafe. It was wonderfully delicious. The food was vegetarian friendly and all ingredients are organic and fresh. I highly recommend going there for any gathering with friends. The service was refreshing, and the food was so good, all my friends plan on going back.
The Veggie Burger
I think celebrating anything over good food is so meaningful. You will carve a memory that will last forever and when you go back to that place, you will remember the laughter you shared with those friends, the talks you had, the time spent.
Grilled Summer Vegetables with Seasonal Risotto
How about you? How do you love to spend time with your friends? What connects you the most to the people you love?
*sigh. so sad for your good-bye, so happy for a new leg of your journey. our journey, really.
and for all of our sake, i’ll save the story about the canoe at the pig roast…
praying for you bff!
That’s a sweet entry. You have many friends… You are just one of those people. Something about you is compelling. I am sitting here looking at the For Sale sign in your yard and wondering how it all happened and why it seems to have happened so fast!
I know this is just the beginning of the next phase of something new, but I can’t help but wish you were here and not there… If you know what I mean.
*sigh*…. I know Ray…. I know.
I definitely need to get the grilled vegetables next time. Looks so good. Love that you went there too, Tammy! Better late than never!