To Eastown, With Love

Last night was our final snooze in our Eastown home. Today we moved to the first house we picked out as a family. And although I am legitimately excited for this next phase, my heart is still aching a bit as I say goodbye.

In 2013, I had recently joined the board of Habitat for Humanity of Kent County and I started to really understand the significance of homeownership. What it means to feel rooted. After something like 9 moves in the 6 years prior, I found myself craving a space to feel settled. So I went for it. And with a little help from Twitter, an ex, and Grant & Branden Pecor’s willingness to let me get a “sneak peek” of their house when my mom and I showed up unannounced, their house soon became my house.

Three roommates, nearly 300 Airbnb guests, one stray dog, a husband and two boys later - this house turned out to be so much more than I could have imagined walking through the door that first day.

Eastown, I will miss you so much. Sometimes my heart couldn’t believe it’s own fortune when I would sit on the patio and see so many people I adore. In a matter of an hour I’d likely see Jordan playing in the yard with his kids, Rachel taking a power stroll with her pup, or Jamie & Ryan out strutting in their Chacos. An extrovert’s dream!

Before I head to bed on the Northeast side of town, I just have to say thank you to all the friends who lived here, traveled here, or simply stayed the night. To those of you who sipped wine on the porch, enjoyed claws and cribbage in the basement, or happily accepted a shotski of fireball in the backyard, thanks for making this house my home. This was a “moment” for the books.