Three days ago my husband and I quickly ate breakfast as we dashed for our car and headed downtown at 8:45 a.m.. Pleasantly surprised by not encountering much commuter traffic, we pulled our car into an alley parking garage off of Stewart. Holding hands, we walked up a few stairs into a high rise building only to separate for a few minutes. Me? I headed straight for the Godiva coffee shop calling out to me from the lobby while Rob continued to walk up another flight of stairs to the elevator hub. Moments later I reunited with him in a small office overlooking Puget Sound and the west side of downtown. We sat down and we started the process of signing escrow papers on the house we’ve lived in shortly after being married eleven years ago. With a latte in one hand and a black ball point pen in another, I listened to our closing offer go over the details of each form we were signing with a sad but joyful heart. Every form we signed brought us closer to saying goodbye to dear friends and neighbors simultaneously building anticipation of moving into our new home. We left the office that morning holding hands once again with an unspoken but understood smile on our face.
We always thought we would only live in this home for a few years. But instead, this became the home we not only raised our three children, but where we found community with some of the kindest people I have ever had the pleasure to know. We’ve been fortunate to live in a neighborhood where all the neighbors don’t park in their garages but instead park in driveways and hang out in front of their houses. There is always someone outside to talk to and catch up on the happenings of the day. Walk up and down our street and it’s not uncommon to stop and chit chat for awhile. This is what I’m going to miss the most about leaving here.
When we purchased our house we had big dreams of what it would be like to grow old together, raise a family, and imagine what our lives would be like in ten, twenty, forty years from now. With each new chapter of our life whether it be a new baby or new opportunities, we relished in growing old together. I know this sounds so cliché but it’s true. Through the darkest of times to the best of times, signing those papers legally finalized the closing of one chapter of our life so we could begin another. Our house closed two days ago.
Yesterday I waited all day for a phone call from my husband to be ready at a moment’s notice to drive to Bellevue during rush hour to repeat the process of signing escrow papers, again. This time as the buyers of our new home. As we signed each paper I felt a little disbelief this was all really going to happen. The last few forms we signed showed our names with our new address. This was really happening. When I initialed the last form I let out a big sigh of relief. We walked out of the office holding hands with a sense of relief and panic. No more dilly dally packing. The clock was ticking and everything was made legal and official. I pulled into our driveway and notice immediately that the real estate for sale sign was taken down while we were gone. It had been put up only weeks before and disappeared as if it had never been there this whole time. I walked into our home to a living room full of empty moving boxes just waiting for me to fill them up. I’ve been hesitating these last few days because I’m trying to hold on to enjoying our home before it’s just an empty shell.
Last night my daughter and I walked home from our neighbor’s house from down the street. We walked slowly as we shared a tender moment on how we’ll miss walking home from the home of one of our closest friends. With the dull white noise from the busy highway just blocks away and a familiar distant fire truck siren fading into the night, I tried to absorb the sights and sounds of living in our hood.
With most of my kitchen things packed away, I wanted to share with you a simple recipe for Blueberry Rum Spritzer. Fortunately I had some blueberry sauce, limes, and club soda in my refridgerater from a post I did for PBS Parents, and a bottle of rum which I hadn’t packed yet. The drink itself represents the blueberry harvest we’re having right now as well as acknowledging the last days of summer. If you want to make it fancy, you could muddle it with mint for a mojito type cocktail.
It’s going to be a bit quiet around here as we officially move out Monday and get settled into our new home. But until then I hope you enjoy your Labor Day weekend.
And, to Jill and Tim, Ray and Sharon, Claire and Steve, Sarah and Shinya, Andrea and Chris, Mike and Jen, Molly and Hunter, Tim and Wendy, and to my very special friends Michelle, and Alison and Dean, thank you for the gift of community we’ve been privileged to share with you. It is because of you we’ve loved living here. Thank you all for the gift of friendship, community, love, and support. We love you guys.
- 4 tablespoons blueberry sauce
- 1 ounce rum
- 2 teaspoons fresh squeezed lime juice
- 6 ounces club soda
- ice
- In a drinking glass, stir the bluebrry sauce, rum and lime juice together. Slowly add the club soda and carefully add the crushed ice.
Great post! I have never had to move, so I can appreciate the sadness you felt, along with the anticipation of starting a new chapter in your life. Best of luck to you.
again i say – Congratulations to you both, Alice & Rob!! Exciting for the kids too – with their Halmoni!
can’t wait to try the sprizter – love me the rum drinks!
sounds delicious! i think i’ll make it end the summer right
Beautiful post. I hate bittersweet endings and new beginnings sometimes, but I just remind myself that the best is yet to come. Good luck with everything!
I bet this drink is superb! I love the combo of blueberries and rum (or vodka!). I will have to pick up some blueberries at the store this week.
Congratulations! I grew up in that region of Washington and it really has a special energy unlike anywhere else. Thank you for this recipe! at the cusp of many changes I think this might help put a lot into perspective.
BEST,
lma
Good luck in your new home!
I have a bottle of rum just sitting in my cupboard that I don’t know what to do with…
What an exciting new chapter you are embarking on! My husband and I have moved some 10 times in our almost 18 years of marriage. We joke that our ancestors were probably nomadic. We are going into our 7th year in our current home…the longest stay yet. We feel more settled than before. And when we talk about moving, we realize how much would have to change, routines, relationships, etc…With 5 kids, the changes effect more than just ourselves. It will be hard to move the next time. But…somewhere inside of all of us, we love the adventure of a new chapter!
I’m excited to see where yours will take you.
~kristin
I’m always ready to try new recipes with the word RUM in them. My best friend is getting married soon and looking for a signature cocktail…I think I’ve got an idea for her now. Thanks!
I just discovered your blog and wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed it. Congratulations on selling and buying your homes. On to a new chapter in your life…may your new home be blessed with wonderful memories like your last one. I know how you feel. Over the years, my husband and I have had eleven homes.
It was a hot hot day here today so I am running to the store to get these ingredients. Sounds like a great Rum spritzer!
This sounds like a perfect cocktail for our early season tailgate parties (where it’s still hot hot hot). It’s hard to find tasty things that are blue!
Good luck in your new home!
Thanks..Well done site-very interesting/informative..Recipe sounds great..
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This cocktail was amazing! I didn’t have regular rum so I used Malibu Coconut rum and it was so tasty! Thank you for the great recipe and good luck with the move this weekend!
Happy, Happy Labor Day!!! Great read, I agree…friendship, community, love, and support are awesome!! The spritzer sounds so good!!
I love the way you write. I feel your emotions and can picture the neighborhood community so clearly. Wishing you all the best in your new home.
It was wonderful getting to hear about your move. These things can be scary, but I am sure that you will put down new roots that will grow even stronger than the last. What city are you moving to? My husband and I recently moved to Redmond and it was a bit scary but we couldn’t be happier!
A very lovely post Alice. Good luck with your move, making many more new memories in your new home 🙂
Good luck with the move and the new chapter in your lives. I’m about to do the same!
Cheers to you and your family, Alice! Enjoy settling into your new home. This looks like a nice refreshing drink to have after unpacking many boxes.
All I want is this right now. Yum!
The great sounding recipe caught my eye, but I enjoyed your touching story even more! New chapters can be scary and exciting at the same time, but that is what Life is all about and it sounds like you are embracing that. May you and your family have many, many happy years in your new home!
What a lovely post, Alice. I feel your sadness of leaving your old neighborhood. At the same time I wish you happiness in your new one. I hope you’ll have wonderful neighbors and form great new friendships. God bless!
Sounds delish! Where do you get blueberry sauce? Enjoy your new home and making new memories!!
I’m always looking for new cocktail recipes. Great post and good luck with the move!