This Neighborhood O' Mine...

Five years ago, when we moved onto our street, we were childless and naive to the lovely community we were planning to "build roots" upon. We knew the schools were good and the homes were lovely, but we really just wanted a home "with character" and sidewalks for our future kids to ride bikes and go trick or treating.
We got all those things and so much more. Over time...we had our two children, new families moved onto the street, children our kid's ages moved in, etc.
And then this past winter thawed out and from out of their homes came lots of fun, friendly, interesting, people! The kind of neighbors you can only hope for and wish you can grow up knowing.
This summer has just been a blast and every time we step outside, you never know what may happen. Impromtu wagon rides, bike or scooter parades, bug or dirt analyzing, lunch with blankets in the front yard, tailgates, wine deck dates. Meaningful chats and laughs with other neighbors who are becoming great friends and people I can count on in a crunch (like when your husband starts spontantously bleeding out of a leg, for example).
This past weekend was really nice hanging around the neighborhood. I recognize that we are very lucky to have found this. More than one neighbor has said to me in the past couple of weeks, "This street is a gem! We are never moving!"
I feel the very same way.