Happy Anniversary!

September 27 is a special day around these parts. Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband!

Four years ago, we said our I do's and made a promise that no matter what life threw at us, we'd walk the journey side by side.

We were honored that people had come - literally - from all over the world to celebrate with us

 

Pretty sure this face was because I'd dropped the rosary the priest had just blessed.

 

You know how they say the day flies by? I think this is one of the few moments I really remember

 

Two years in, we decided there was no better way to celebrate a wedding anniversary than to purchase your first home together. It'd been a long time coming. We signed our lives away on a million dotted lines and I smiled each time I dated the papers 9/27. It was meant to be and a special day indeed. I'm pretty sure once we had the keys to the house, we popped a bottle of champagne and drank it out of plastic cups sitting on the floor. Not quite the fancy candlelit dinner most would celebrate with, but then again, if you know us, we're not necessarily your conventional couple.   

 

And last year, it was the first anniversary of The Anniversary Home. We celebrated by reminiscing on how much we'd accomplished together in the house. We'd spent a year focusing so much on the physical home - all the blood, sweat and tears (and there were plenty of tears) were certainly worth it - but only learned in hindsight that we were really investing so much in us. The house had become a physical metaphor for what we'd built in our relationship and what we hoped for as husband and wife.

 

But little did you all know that on this day last year, Rich was living in another state, starting a new job, and I was tasked with selling The Anniversary Home. Talk about a 180. It wasn't an easy decision, but as we've reflected on all the changes this past year, we know wholeheartedly, without a shadow of doubt, we made the right decision.

 

So, once again, we spent last night reflecting on everything we'd accomplished together this year:

 

Mr. B started a fantastic new job and is loving it

 

Survived - even thrived - while living apart for 3 months

 

SOLD The Anniversary Home and made out pretty well considering the circumstances

 

Made our way to a new town, met new friends and established a new life

 

BOUGHT a new home

 

Found out we'd be welcoming Baby B in 2012

 

And adopted these two precious puppies

 

2012 has been good to us and we're grateful for the many blessings we've received this past year.

 

So how will we celebrate this year? Like I said, we're not your typical couple. Today, Mr. B is off to Spain for a boys golfing weekend. I told you I'm a GOOD wife - but all jokes aside - he's more than deserving of some R&R and it's the Kinsale Cup for goodness sakes! And on this side of the pond, Mama H. and I will spend the weekend working on the nursery, resting at home (hello swollen ankles!) and being generally entertained by Clemmie and Dixie. I really wouldn't have it any other way.

 

Happy Anniversary Mr. B. I can't wait for what the next year has in store for us...

 

 

 

 





Closing Day

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Dang. It feels really good to type that.

We closed on the house a week ago today. The Anniversary Home belongs to new owners, and I'm totally okay with that. Dottie signed on the dotted line for us (yes, pun intended), the mortgage is paid off and the gravy sauce landed in our bank account on Monday. Halle-freakin-lujah.

There were a few minor traumas along the way. Cracked tile that needed to be fixed. Some issues with electrics that needed to be sorted out in 48 hours. To say this thing went down to the wire is an understatement. We really only got our final approval for sale from the township the day before closing. At 3pm. Living on the edge.

So why did it take me so long to write this post? (Or frankly, any post lately...)

I just didn't really know what to say. Do you know what I mean? I mean, we sold our house is factually accurate, but it seems way too light for all the baggage that goes along with that statement.

It's hard to describe this feeling of immense relief. Since, well, basically last August, the sale of this home has been hanging over our heads. So much of our planning revolved around if and when the home sold. It was hard to move forward with such a huge, expensive asset holding you back. But that's all taken care of now.

I've tried to imagine along the way how I'd feel today. Would I be sad? Happy? Anxious? I'm just relieved. I'm not really sad. It was fun while it lasted, and I'm thankful for the memories and the life lessons learned, but all in all, it's about moving forward. With no regrets. And I definitely have no regrets.

I left the new owners a housewarming card in the kitchen. I congratulated them on their new home and wished them all the happiness in the years to come. And I mean it. It's a good little house.

Buy my house?

The Anniversary Home is officially on the market!

In fact, we have our first viewing this afternoon. I did a special tidy/clean last night, bought some pretty flowers and made sure to leave all the lights on this morning when I left for work. We'll see how long before my enthusiasm runs dry and I'm scrambling last minute to throw junk in drawers to make the house look decent. 

So friends, if you know anyone who wants to buy a beautiful Victorian farmhouse in Pennsylvania, please send them my blog or email. I'd be happy to put the hard sell on them tell them more about this fabulous house.

I mean, who wouldn't want to live here?

This vintage style Victorian with wraparound porch was the original home of the Mayor of the town and located in a great school district. Recent updates have made this home comfortable and inviting. New designer kitchen with Thomasville cabinets, farmhouse sink, over-sized center island, high-end stainless steel appliances, granite and new hardwood floors. Formal dining room adjacent to kitchen with tall pillars defining the space. Formal living room with hardwood floors and gorgeous wood pocket doors. Climb the grand, rich wood staircase to the second floor featuring a large main suite with a wall of windows, second bedroom and library / office with full hall bath. Third floor features two additional bedrooms, both generous in size and rich in woodworking. Existing stable barn, prime for renovations as family annex and currently acting as storage and two car garage. Home features hardwood floors throughout most of home, new roof, new gutters, new chimney capping, new carpets, new sand mound, well tank, etc.