The other day, I overheard Vivienne say, “Hey Hugh, did you know there’s a time for everything in life?” It was somehow both whimsical and instructional, and Hugh, with an appropriately serious nod, played along like he totally got it.
Little ears are clearly picking up on the underlying vibe around here… There is, indeed, a time for everything, and THIS is the time for planning, big decision making, and lots of work. We are packing up and getting ready for the big move to our dream home!
As thrilling as that is, I can’t help but pause to reflect on this little cape and all the years we’ve lived in it.
Ryan got the call that his offer on this house was accepted while driving to pick me up for our first date – which certainly impressed me! Though, when I walked through with him a couple months later on closing day, I admit I was daunted.
The bones have always been great, but not one single thing had been touched since the 1970’s… aqua shag carpeting, layers of wallpaper, wood paneling, AstroTurf, you name it. There was even a homemade tanning booth in the basement – think tinfoil and heat lamps!
But, month by month and year by year, we worked on every little detail. Our relationship grew – we got married and brought two babies home to this house over the years, and the house grew with us.
We kept what we loved (hello, 1960’s range hood!) and updated the rest in keeping with the age of the house.
We added the sunroom, and it’s become our primary family hang-out – coolest room in the summer and coziest the winter! We added the fence for a safe play area for the kids. We added the patio, and eat dinner out there often in the summers, with neighbors stopping by on their evening walks. We’ve thrown so many parties here! We’ve hosted supper clubs, themed pot-lucks, New Year’s Eve parties, annual Christmas parties (8 years running!), and countless dinner parties.
What is a home without people to fill it?
This little house has been such a wonderful place to fill with the people we love.
The Key to the House 