Day 3

Big news today - we are now the owners of a new address:
PO Box 617514
Chicago, IL 60661

A CHICAGO address, folks. The first and possibly last time this will ever happen.

We closed up the house tonight in preparation for the key hand-off tomorrow; what a bittersweet moment. Today is all about remembering the fabulous times at 316 North Prospect Street - our first home together - a place we could actually claim as our own. And after 6 years of hard work - living in dust for half of it, with the anticipation of it being finished - we are done.

Rocking Lydia to sleep in her little black and white room with the lyrical verse on the wall. Bringing Millie home and snuggling with both girls together on the couch. Smores in our fireplace inside. Campfires outside on the patio! Christmas and the white pine boughs over the window trim throughout the house. Sitting on our porch on hot summer nights, feet dangling on the porch swing. Gathering with neighbors in our front and back yards. Watching Lydia and the little ladies in the neighborhood roll down the driveway in their little orange cars. Lots of meals and card games around the table. Walks around the "loop"- up prospect, shortcut to summit, up to Illinois, back over to Prospect. Many great memories that we will remember forever.

And with that, we close the door to 316 North Prospect, and shut a chapter in our lives. Welcome home Michelle; we left the porch light on for you.

(and now I'll cry my way back to Naperville!)