Leaving the Nest

The time came.  After 3 years of living in the basement at my dad's, it was time to move on.  It is amazing how it is hard to move on when you are comfortable somewhere.  So, although I have a lot to say about the new place, I must pay tribute to the old. 

We moved in to the basement September, 2006.  It was meant to be a temporary place to stay while we transitioned into the area, found Greg a job, and decided where we wanted to live.  The market was at its peak and the options for a home were a little bit of space for a lot of money.  And so we stayed.  And stayed and stayed.  I am glad we did.

The basement room was a good room.  It was mostly messy.  How else would you expect a room to look that contained all your belongings.  It was our living room, our office, and our bedroom (and Owen's and later Ivy's bedroom as well). 

Despite the mess, it was a good room. 

I cannot thank my dad and Kristi enough for letting us move in, kids, cats and too much stuff included.  They let us move in with no date to leave.  I am sure it wasn't easy on them, with us invading their space, but we felt welcome.  It was our home too. 

And as we finished moving out, I looked in the empty room, the room that I grew to love, and I could not stop the tears.  They were tears of all kinds, those afraid of change, those of happiness, those of sadness as the place I called home was now part of my past, those of fear as I took Owen to a new house and away from his home, those that felt love for my dad and Kristi.  They were all there. 

Thank you to my dad for your open arms and heart.  I know that I always have a place to go.  Thank you for making me feel so safe.  I will miss sitting around the brown table while you are on the computer and chatting about the day or our crazy clients.  I will miss hearing your footsteps come home late and feeling glad you are home safe.  I will miss the avocados from Costco you always made sure to buy me.

Thank you to Kristi.  It could not have been easy having your stepdaughter and her family living with you.  You always made me feel welcome and it felt like our home too.  Thank you for taking such good care of Owen.  He adores you and I love the relationship you were able to form while we were there.  Thank you for loving him and Ivy.  I will miss watching Owen follow you around.  I will miss watching you stumble down the stairs after falling asleep while you read to your kids.  I will miss being a part of your everyday activities and plans. 

Thank you to Felix and Robee.  I told Felix I would never move out because I loved her drama and emotional breakdowns.  I miss you both already.  You were both always so good to Owen and you both instantly loved Ivy.  I will miss hearing Robee singing Taylor Swift's Love Story song with the radio early in the morning.  I will miss seeing Robee eat noodles everyday.  I will miss watching America's Next Top Model with Felix while she held my cat.  I will miss hearing about Felix's day at school. 

I will miss it all. 

While the new memories await, the old will always hold a special place in my heart. 

Thank you to you all, thank you to the house, thank you to my room.