The Greatest Neighbors

Tomorrow we say goodbye to some of our best friends here in Falls Church...our wonderful, irreplaceable, incomparable, unforgettable neighbors...Chris, Denise, Abby, Emma, and Elizabeth!

Tomorrow they depart for Colorado. Tonight we're grilling steaks together to celebrate three years of shared memories.

When Andrew and I first moved into our home we didn't know any of our neighbors well. Emma told us a few weeks ago that she could barely control the eye-rolling when she would see "that newlywed couple kissing in the front yard all the time." Hahaha!

I'd like to think it was a combination of three pretty signifanct things that deepened our friendship with this wonderful family:

1. We all shared in the joy of George entering the world!

I think I've mentioned before that our neighbor, Denise, was at George's birth. In fact, she cut his umbilical cord! She was such an incredible support during my labor and especially in those early postpartum days. Abby, Emma, and Elizabeth all visited us in those first 24 hours after George was born. It's one thing when someone loves you... but when they love your child...oh my. OH MY. Cue all the heart-melting in the world! These neighbors have loved and cherished George. They have played with him, swung with him, walked with him, rocked him, laughed with him. And even introduced him to the estimable classic, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers. ;) They have also been the most flexible babysitters...sometimes showing up a mere 15 minutes prior to us needing a sitter! They have loved us by loving our son. I just want to weep every time I think of the gals heading off to school and George banging on the front door to wave to them. What a precious memory!

2. We survived Winter Storm Jonas! 

I think this has to be one of our most memorable weekends together here in Falls Church. Preparing for the blizzard. Hunkering down. Monitoring the storm. Wondering about school cancellations. And then digging and shoveling and snow-blowing out. Snowball fights and hot chocolate. And three crazy dogs. What a weekend!

3.We shared more than a highlight reel together.

How many times did we pray together? I've lost track. How many times did they pray for us? Too many to count. How many times was there comfort that went beyond a pat on the back or a hug? How many times were encouraging words shared at just the right time? Too many times to recall. How many Sunday mornings and afternoons did we congregate in driveways before and after church? How many times did we share real openness...the raw, messy parts of life with one another? How many times did we cry with one another? Okay, maybe that was just Denise and I. ;) It was a gift to live real lives together. 

Of course there are so many other memories...Anne of Green Gables discussions, Mason soccer, Duck Donuts, monograms, the Army, and the Navy, the Wrens HOA, When Calls the Heart, all things Star Wars, Mike's Deli, Artemis, pizza lunches, that low country boil feast, the Colonel's promotion ceremony, Taco Bell runs, prom, American Girl dolls, Williamsburg, a certain utensils-in-the-ground event which shall remain clothed in secrecy, Halloween, Thanksgiving afternoon, George's christening, Abby's graduation party, George's first birthday party, visiting grandparents (on both sides of the street!), adventures in dog ownership, and so many more. 

Here's a look back at just a few memories from these three years:

It seemed only fitting to end with a picture of Prince George of the Wrens in front of the Governor's Palace...a favorite place for both our families!

Denise, Chris, Abby, Emma, and Elizabeth (and even George and Gus!) we will MISS you all so very much! It has been the greatest joy to be your neighbors for the last three years. God bless you as you head to the beautiful state of Colorado. We can't wait to visit!!!