Remember that show? This Old House...with Bob Vila? The pre Mike Holmes PBS home improvement show. My dad used to watch that when I was a kid.
Anyway...so, we bought a home! I can't believe it. Kevin and I have been talking about and hoping for this exact point in our lives for approximately 7 years (give or take.)
And, not only did we find a home, we found a big, beautiful, unique, special house that we love, and absolutely cannot wait to make our own.
And yet, as the excitement builds (and the relief sets in after a 10+ week bank process is finally over,) I can't help but start to get emotional about leaving our little 'ol rental behind the trees on the edge of Warrior territory.
Deep within the walls of wood paneling, the one (sometimes) working light bulb in the bathroom, the wild cats in the trees and the creepy dark storage basement...our hearts rested here.
Our hearts rested in a place that we celebrated in, grieved in, laughed in, fought in, loved. A perfect location, with the sounds (and smell) of the cows in the spring, and the buzz of harvest all around us in the fall.
I will miss this house, and will cherish the adventures that have taken place here...our first kiss, right outside under the stars, accidentally flushing my wedding ring down the toilet (don't worry, we got it back! Now THAT'S a story for you.), the most beautiful winter wonderland (AND photography location!), and finally walking through the door with our Kroy to his first home.
We had, without a doubt, the most amazing landlords that ever did exist. Now, this is the part that really makes me cry. In an area and market that they could have easily quadrupled the rent we were paying (probably more than that)...they never did. They fixed anything, and everything...almost immediately upon request. The months that we were struggling...struggling financially (and emotionally,) they never asked us for payment. While what felt an astronomical amount of money was flying out the door toward medical debts and collections from babies and the struggles of getting them into this world, there were times we would fall behind, and payment was behind or late. Not once did we get a phone call or pressure, they just patiently waited until we caught up. In what world? They play such a huge part in our new home and the fact that possibility even existed. They will never know how grateful we are to them, how much they mean to us, and what a gift they have been in our lives. God Bless 'em.
And so, we move along down the road. 11 miles down the road to be exact, and we leave a piece of our souls on the edge of the Klose Farm and in the dirt of Warrior country. Our first home will always be a treasured one. And I'll tell you another thing; the moon has never shined so bright as when you're sitting on the top step out the back door of this old house.
