In the words of Rose from Titanic…..I’ll never let go. We’re both going to miss so many things about our first casa that we just had to dedicate a post to those little details that bring a smile to our faces. We don’t want to forget a thing.
1. The gorgeous cherry tree in the front yard.
2. The new kitchen (which was totally worth 113 days of eating-out-and-living-without-a-sink chaos).
3. Our view of the amazingly lush and private backyard (which was actually one of the main reasons we bought our house back in 2006)
4. The sweet front porch where we’d sit and watch the world neighbors go by.
5. The layers of paint and slivers of wallpaper that we discovered as we renovated (we loved uncovering “hints” about its past life)
6. The amazing story about our house’s first owners, which we shared here.
7. The fact that the front and back door were so narrow that we had to remove the doors from our new fridge to get it into the house.
8. Waking up each morning and looking out at the spot where we got married (sniffle).
9. The quirky cow weather vane on top of the garage.
10. The cute (and completely unused-by-us) red shed in the backyard.
11. The mostly centered windows throughout the house (we didn’t realize how rare this was until we started house hunting).
12. The fact that neither bathroom had an outlet in it for the first few years that we lived here (one still doesn’t).
13. The two fireplaces- what a lucky break.
14. What the front yard looked like that fateful day when we drove up to check out the house (we made an offer that night).
15. Rushing home from vacations just because we “missed the house.”
16. The sleepless nights we spent painting, planning, sledge-hammering, and daydreaming.
17. The charming neighborhood where we walked with Burger (and Clara when she later came along).
18. The brilliant fall leaves that put on quite a show every fall (although we won’t miss raking them).
19. Those two rare snowstorms that made everything look even more cozy somehow.
20. The pretty white and pink azalea bushes. There must be at least 50 of them.
21. The modestly sized rooms that have encouraged us to spend time together.
22. The wide doorways that so dramatically opened up the den, kitchen, and living/dining room.
23. All the crisp white trim, molding, and breezy curtains that make it feel like a beach house in the summer.
24. The patio that has charmingly aged over the last three years with moss.
25. More specifically, making smore’s on the patio after adding a fire pit last year.
26. The sunroom on a lazy Sunday morning. Our favorite place to be.
27. The subway tile all the way to the ceiling in the bathroom shower (I stare at it nearly every day and marvel at John’s amazing handiwork).
28. The fact that we have 23 storage baskets and 10 storage ottomans in our tiny house. Is there a support group I can join? Organizer’s anonymous?
29. The bedroom built-ins that make us feel tucked into a cozy little nook every night.
30. The fact that we brought our cute pup and our sweet baby girl home here. It’s not just our first house, it’s also Clara and Burger’s.
31. The big picture window in the living room (where Burger loves to bark at all of his dog friends).
32. The seeded glass pendant above the kitchen sink (so simple, yet we haven’t seen anything like it since ordering it from West Elm years ago)
33. Memories of painting nearly every room at least twice to get things just right.
34. The sound of the screen sliding in the sunroom, which used to signal to me and Burger that John was home from work. Such an exciting sound.
35. The intense pain in the arse that was removing the scallops from the front porch (my hardest solo project to date).
36. The excitement I felt as I listened to every crash when John demo’d the bathroom (I was prego, so I sadly couldn’t get in there and bash stuff with him).
37. The paranoid feeling that I forgot to unplug the toaster or lock the front door or turn on the alarm every time we left for vacation (John would humor me and we’d turn around so I could check)
38. “Camping” in the sunroom on a warm spring night (and regretting that decision after being awakened by the sun streaming in at 6am).
39. Plugging in the Christmas tree and sitting by the fire with hot chocolate. Doesn’t get much better than that.
40. Phantom doorbell ringings (when the battery would start to die, it would randomly ring and freak us all out).
41. The garage door that strangely swings out to open (and constantly warning people not to park too close).
42. How things looked in the first year, before we had any idea how much blood, sweat, and tears that we’d pour into this house.
43. The sight of Burger laying limply near the vent under the side table in the living room warming his buns in the heat.
44. Screaming “don’t look, I’m peeing” when the half bathroom pocket door was broken (more details on that later this week)
45. Our wedding night, when we took one last picture in the photo booth in the corner of our driveway after everyone left before the truck came to pick it up.
Sheesh, somebody get me a tissue. We’re so excited to move into our amazing new house, but we sure will miss this one.
Alicia says
You are one of those that have to turn around and see if you unplugged and turned off stuff?? It drives my husband crazy but me and my mom both do it. Even though it drives him crazy, he always turns around for me. :)
I’m gonna miss your house too! But I’m so excited to see you guys start your new journey!
Beth@Just{Heart}It says
I know you’ve put a lot of work into your house, and that makes it hard to leave. We’re going to be moving within the next year or two, and at this point I’m still really not looking forward to it – I’ve done so much to our house to make it mine that I can’t even imagine turning it over to someone else. I guess I just have to hope that the next house will be just as wonderful with just as many memories. Can’t wait to see what memories you will make in your next one.
On another completely unrelated note, why does it seem so much more polite to read/write the from-England arse than the from-America word? :-)
Krista says
Is it totally retarded that I got all misty reading this? I’ve been reading your blog for so long I feel like I’m moving out of your house too, ha ha. Good luck with everything and Happy Thanksgiving! :)
Jenne Barbour says
Love this! Sitting here in SBUX, all teary-eyed. Love your memories, and wish you all even more happy memories in the new house. We all can’t wait to share them with you!
LauraC says
Awww, such a sweet post!!! Moving is so bittersweet. Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow!
Melissa Bufford says
Congrats on the new house!
So happy to hear that you changed colors and repainted here and there! As I am about to cover up a yellow I painted that did not work. Hubby isn’t going to be happy. I just decided last night :)
Rachel @ The Avid Appetite says
Such a sweet roundup!
Sevi says
When you start getting busy with packing, unpacking and working on the new house rather than planning and day-dreaming, you’ll perk up easily I think. But it’s nice to note these things down, cause you might forget them easily-oops, you have a whole bunch of readers and a damn cool blog to remember everything, sorry :D
Wow, I wish I had done something like that with my first house…
Cait says
Oh goodness, I think I need a tissue too. Love this list. What precious memories…your new home holds so many others! Nothing will ever replace the first one I’m sure, but hopefully the thoughts of new precious memories can keep you all strong when moving! :) Happy Thanksgiving to your precious fam!
Sevi says
By the way, it’s weird that I’m all teary-eyed about your first house as well. First houses… One can never let go.
Tana says
Aww, your post made me sad. I grew up in that neighborhood; in fact my parents still live there.
It’s kinda cool in a way that you will miss your first house so much; when we sold our first house we didn’t miss anything about it. We were so excited to get into a bigger house with better features.
Emily G says
Wow! Wasn’t expecting to cry reading your blog this morning! :) I feel the same way I did when I was watching the last scene of Toy Story 3. Sweet memories!
J says
I love this post. I love our home. I left the house I was born in when I got married. I think I would feel the same if I ever leave it.
Abby @ a delightful design says
grab the tissue is right! jeesh!
here is a lighting source that might be your style. One of my clients is using his lights in her kitchen.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/62829904/kellitown-ii-seeded-glass-pendant-pair?ref=v1_other_2
abby
Laura in LA says
When we left the first home we shared, I actually wrote a letter to our “little brown box”. I meant it as a humorous thing, thanking the house for the great times and even the bad that would make us appreciate our new place. After I read it to my husband he said “that was really sad!” I guess you can get emotional over anything!
Leah says
Hey guys… just started stalking…err…following your blog a month or so ago, and just wanted to let you know how excited I am for you all to get your new house. I feel so blessed that you share all of these emotion with us!
Jen K says
Awe! So sweet I got a little teary eyed myself over your blog! The picture of Clara when she was new to the house especially got me. We will be moving (we hope!) out of the condo where we first brought home our little guy and it makes me sad already to think about it!
Carrie says
Stop making me cry. I’m going to miss your house too, but I am very excited to see the new one and how you transform it. Now somebody pass me the tissues.
Jana Foo says
What a great stroll through memory lane! I can’t wait for the new adventures in your new home!
Dre says
Ugh- I absolutely love your first house too! So perfect and cozy… in a day where everyone is trying to get bigger, I appreciate that you realize what you need rather than trying to keep up with the Jones’!
Begoña says
I love this post, i love it!!! I feel the same everytime life changes: i’m looking foward the change but cant help feeling nostalgic about what i’m leaving behind… By the way, i want more details about the scallop project, wtf?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Begonia,
The porch scallops were tackled a while back (almost three years ago actually). Here’s that super old post: https://www.younghouselove.com/2008/04/some-baaaad-scallops/
xo,
s
Rosemary says
Wow so many memories! I’m sure you will make great memories at your new home. I wonder if you or John will be the first to shed a tear upon taking your very last box out of the house.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Rosemary,
I’m the cryer in this relationship. It’s totally going to be me.
xo,
s
Tanya says
Your post is so adorable. My hubby and I have been renovating our first home for a year, but will only live here for three more and I am already getting nervous about leaving. We’ve personalized so much and invested a great deal of blood, sweat and tears. I completely understand the sentimental attachment. But think of all the amazing memories that will be made in your new home . . .
kathy says
Oh, this is so sweet and makes us all wonder how you can leave with so many sentimental memories of your first years together!! I hope that the new owners love and appreciate ALL that you’re handing over to them. :-)
PS: I love the “Titanic” photo w/ your faces pasted in! haha
Beth says
Ok, I’m crying. I (heart) this post!
Liz says
It’s so funny, Sherry, because my son was born just a few weeks ahead of Clara, and we are currently moving, too. The saddest part for us is the fact that this was our son’s first home. We already envision ourselves driving him past it when he’s old enough to understand and telling him “That’s where you first came home to!” So will Clara be indulging in any pureed turkey and peas tomorrow???
YoungHouseLove says
Yes! She’ll be enjoying some turkey and some sweet potato!
xo,
s
Sarah K says
While I’m a fairly new reader, I was getting teary eyed until this:
44. Screaming “don’t look, I’m peeing” when the half bathroom pocket door was broken (more details on that later this week).
I had to laugh out loud! I still scream that when I hear my hubs-of-three-years walking down the hallway when I’m too lazy to actually shut the door the whole way. Oh the harassing I get from him.
OH wait. did John write this?
Shannon says
Wow..I can’t believe how choked up I got from reading this post! My fiance and I are in the very beginning stages of renovating our whole house almost entirely by ourselves. Although we have a long way to go and it can sometimes be so overwhelming, I love that we are making this house into our home. Blood, sweat, and tears. Your blog is so fun to read and is such an inspiration to me and so many other people. Best of luck with the move and the new adventures of your new home!
marianne says
i can’t believe you’re moving – but most of all, i can’t believe how lucky the new owners are to get this incredible home! so much love and sweat went into making this house a home. i hope that the new owners take good care of it and i hope that you keep in touch with them to see what they do with it!
good luck with your move and happy thanksgiving!
Cait @ Hernando House says
This list makes me sad :(
I wouldn’t be able to leave our seeded glass pendant lights if we ever moved, I love them too much!
Elizabeth says
Awwww! And thank you for sharing the journey with us! I look forward to Chapter 2 with the new house, new adventures and all new projects!
Jocelyn Stott says
Awwww – Even I felt nostalgic and sad when reading this. I always have a hard time leaving a home, even when I am SUPER excited about the new place. Lovely memories – it is the stuff that life is made of :)
Kelly says
How bittersweet!
CampDallas says
This was wonderful to read….it warmed my heart! BTW, where are you hiding 10 storage ottomans? And I can totally relate to the “Don’t look! I’m peeing!”….ahh, the joys of renovating! Happy Thanksgiving, YHL!
YoungHouseLove says
They’re everywhere! We have two under our console table in the living room, one as a bench at our dining table, one as a bench under a coat hook to create a mini mudroom in the den, a round one in the office, a woven one in the nursery, the list goes on…
xo,
s
Elisa says
It’s always the small things we miss the most!!
Sarah says
*sniffle* What a great post, your nostalgia and excitement really comes through!
Liz says
I found your blog yesterday and now I am obsessed. It’s wonderful, congrats on such a fine product. So, I love this in your list: “The modestly sized rooms that have encouraged us to spend time together.” I often grumble about having a smaller house and this is the perfect reminder that I, too, am thankful that we are encouraged to spend time together, thanks to our cozy house. Happy Thanksgiving.
brooke @ claremont road says
It’s not even my house and I’m all verklempt over here. *Sniff sniff*
Sara says
This post made me tear up thinking back at our recent moving experience. My husband and I moved into our new house about 6mths ago when our daughter was only 4mths old. It was wonderful being able to move into the new house but it was all those “little things” that got me, especially thinking about the fact that house being the house where my water broke all over the floor and how I spent so many nights sitting in the nursery with my baby. I admit I am much more comfortable in our new (larger) house but both my husband and I still do the occasional drive by the old place and since it’s literally the next neighborhood over we probably always will! Enjoy the move, you won’t ever forgot those special moments!
Tracey says
I’ve never even set foot in your house and now i’m going to miss it too! It must be really hard to say goodbye to a house that you got married at and brought home your babies to.
But i’m excited for what lies ahead. I’ll be buying a house in the new year so I can’t wait to see what you guys do with the new digs.
Cameron says
I completely understand your bittersweet post. My little family of three is going through the exact same thing right now. My husband and I built our home back in 2007 and moved our stuff in the day before our wedding. We got to spend our first official night in our home the day we got back from our honeymoon. I still remember having absolutely no furniture in our living room and dining room…but instead we had ALL of our wedding gifts. Even though we were exhausted from traveling I made my husband stay up with me and open every single last gift!
We too brought our new addition, Kyleigh, home to this house. She was actually born a couple days after Clara. I have taken so many pictures of her first house so she will know where she started :)
Anyways, good luck with the move…I can’t wait to see the projects you have in store for your new home!!
Cameron
alejandragigi says
I’m also moving home now. Good luck. http://alejandragigi.blogspot.com
Aimee says
Be ready for it – although I don’t know how you could ever prepare. When we drove away from our first house for the last time, the home to which I brought my babies after their stays in the NICU, I lost it. It was something else. Other homes are tough to leave, but that first one is a doozy. :)
Ali says
What a sentimental post full of sweet memories! Love it!
Is it going to be hard to start all over again at a rough and disorganized home (not pretty home) ? It takes so much time to personalize a home, organize a home, streamline a home so it makes sense for your family on top of making it decorated and beautiful. Is the transition going to be hard? Please show us the “real” and “messy” stuff too! Not just the gorgeous finished and totally end product of your new home! I know I relate to your blog and your home because I can go back and look at those rough “before” picks and see the trail that you took to get to the gorgeous side of your home! Will you still be budget minded on your new home?
Is there a post about removing the scalops off the front porch? You said it was the hardest DIY project! How did you all do it?
Thanks! ~ Ali
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Ali,
Just scroll back through the comments for a link to the old porch scallop post. As for starting over we can’t wait! We love that stuff – even the chaos of living in the middle of ten projects. It’s when we’re happiest! So we’re actually looking forward to those messy rough days, and we’ll definitely share pics (like we did back when we gutted our current house’s kitchen or had a million cabinet boxes in the living room). Can’t wait.
xo,
s
D says
46. The fact that this home is why YHL exists!
aww so sweet
YoungHouseLove says
So true! We’re definitely grateful that our house inspired this entire blog!
xo,
s
C says
I am almost in tears.
My husband is the one who has the paranoid feeling that he forgot locking the door, and always turns around to check, but never was true.
Beth says
Love the post and Happy Thanksgiving!!
I have a quick question that is unrelated-
Have you guys ever tried to “lay out” furniture in a room before you have bought the furniture? My husband and I have a rather large den, and we know that the furniture will be floating. We have a recliner and two tables that we will definitely be using, but we are going to be buying a rug, and a sofa/chair combination of some sort. We have looked at potential sofas/chairs/sectionals online, but we would like to know what will work in our space before we go buy the furniture. Any ideas on how to do this?
YoungHouseLove says
Yes! We tape things off in the floor with painter’s tape to help visualize things. You can also use graph paper to plan things out to scale. Good luck!
xo,
s
Amy says
this is mildly random. but i was wondering if you were willing to share the approximate cost that incurred when you refinished all of the wood floors in the house?
please let me know if this is too personal but the fiencee and i were considering doing this if it is financially feasable.
thanks yhl’ers. =)
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Amy,
We got an amazing deal, so to hire a pro to refinish about half of the house it cost around $750 or so. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Jamie says
I’m actually impressed by the people who say they drive by their old houses to check them out. My parents are preparing to sell the house I grew up in, that they had built after the got married, that no one else has ever lived in. My mother, especially, is adamanat that we will never, ever come back, because she’s too worried any new owners will cut down all the trees she loved or rip out all her gardens, or just generally let things get run down when my parents devoted so much time and love keeping everything looking beautiful. What do you do if the new owners have horrible taste or do something you hate? Of course it will be their house and they can do whatever they like with it, but I’d want to keep my memories happy.
YoungHouseLove says
We had so much fun making our house our own that we hope the next owners do the same thing. We figure it’s going to be theirs, not ours anymore. So it’s totally their call when it comes to landscaping and decorating… although we’d admittedly be sad if they painted it bright purple and filled the yard with plastic lawn ornaments.
xo,
s
mckay says
I know this is a kooky idea, but maybe you can take one of your darling photo strips (or a copy of one) and stash it somewhere “secret” (ie. under a floorboard, behind a wall, behind a kitchen drawer). When we redid our basement we found some pretty cool pictures of people who once lived in our house. There were no stories to go with them, so we had fun making them up. :) It would be like a little time capsule! That way you and your beloved first home will (hopefully) always be together. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Mckay,
We’re actually planning to make a little time capsule to leave behind in a hidden location! We’ll definitely post about it when we do!
xo,
s