An Open Letter To My Neighbors
Start writing a post
Student Life

An Open Letter To My Neighbors

"There's something about childhood friends that you can't replace."

169
An Open Letter To My Neighbors
Clare O'Keefe

To my wonderful neighbors,

I'll never forget when I first moved into the neighborhood. At age seven, my biggest concern was that there weren't going to be any kids to play with and that I was just going to be stuck with my brothers and no one else.

Well luckily, I was extremely wrong. Growing up in our neighborhood was the biggest blessing I could ever ask for. Whether we were riding our bikes up and down the road, playing on the trampoline, jumping on the "marshmallows" or playing games in the pool, we were always doing something together and having the time of our lives. The endless games of capture the flag and manhunt are still some of my favorite memories to this day.

Not to mention, we were quite creative. Remember that time we all got roller blades for Christmas because we were going to start a hockey team? And whose great idea was it to start a game of human capture the flag? We were all so obsessed with the Olympics so we decided to put on our own. At age nine, I've never trained so hard for something in my life. Or even that time when we tried to start a band, I'm still cringing at the thought of that. Needless to say that those didn't go over too well, but we had so much fun trying to do all of that stuff.

As we grew older, we weren't just neighbors anymore, we became a family. We were there for each other, in the good times and bad. We comforted each other when a loved one died, the loss of a pet, a breakup or even when someone lost a baseball game. We could have the best time just sitting at China Buffet and talking or talking over an excessive amount of pizza in the kitchen.

Spending so much time together, we experienced many firsts with each other. When we all got our licenses and driving together for the first time. The first time we traded in our bikes and roller blades for beer and bonfires. The first time some of us drank, or even the first time some of us drank too much. The first time we tried to throw a party, the first time we tried to sneak beer into the basement and trying to drink discreetly. We never judged each other for drinking too much and getting a little "white girl wasted." Needless to say, I'm very thankful that many of these moments happened just between us.

When college came around, we all knew that we would be separated but we weren't sure what it was going to do to us exactly. We all wouldn't be spending every weekend together and it was definitely going to be different. But we all knew that there wasn't a chance that distance was going to ruin our bond that we had.

Away at school, I found myself often telling stories about things that we did together at home and found myself missing all of you. There's nothing like a good conversation about sandwiches and deli meats, which none of my friends at school understood nor found normal. But I knew when winter break came around, we would all be back together sharing stories from college and reminiscing about the old times.

Soon we'll all graduate from college, get real jobs and move away from the neighborhood we all call home. It's scary to think about and makes me nostalgic. I know in the future we'll all be at each other's weddings, visiting each other in our new homes and probably still discussing what parameters truly make a sandwich.

I know with all of my heart that no matter where we all go in life, you will all be my family forever. There is no greater bond than our neighborhood has, it is unbreakable. I just want to say thank you for an unforgettable childhood and making it the best childhood that anyone could ever ask for.

Love always,

Your neighbor forever


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

Michigan Rain Vs. California Rain

Michigan rain vs. California rain (at Calvin College).

485
Michigan Rain Vs. California Rain
ifunny

SO, I've just recently had the fortunate experience to be reminded just how Michigan rains. Now, before you roll your eyes at me, I HAVE EXPERIENCED RAIN (in regards of the the popular joke that Californians haven't). However, I have to agree; after experiencing one of Michigan's thunderstorms (with my college's sirens blaring in the background), it comes to mind just how different "rain" is between the two states:

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

21 EDM Songs for a Non-EDM Listener

Ever wanted to check out EDM music, but didn't know where to start? Look no further! Start here.

4450
21 EDM Songs for a Non-EDM Listener
www.wallpapersafari.com

If you have been following me for a long time, then you know I write about two main things: relateable articles and communication media based articles. Now, it is time for me to combine the two. For those of you that don't know, I am a radio DJ at IUP, and I DJ for a show called BPM (Beats Per Minute). It is an EDM, or electronic dance music, based show and I absolutely love it.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

100 Reasons to Choose Happiness

Happy Moments to Brighten Your Day!

23870
A man with a white beard and mustache wearing a hat

As any other person on this planet, it sometimes can be hard to find the good in things. However, as I have always tried my hardest to find happiness in any and every moment and just generally always try to find the best in every situation, I have realized that your own happiness is much more important than people often think. Finding the good in any situation can help you to find happiness in some of the simplest and unexpected places.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

6 Things Owning A Cat Has Taught Me

This one's for you, Spock.

9403
6 Things Owning A Cat Has Taught Me
Liz Abere

Owning a pet can get difficult and expensive. Sometimes, their vet bills cost hundreds of dollars just for one visit. On top of that, pets also need food, a wee wee pad for a dog, a litter box with litter for a cat, toys, and treats. Besides having to spend hundreds of dollars on them, they provide a great companion and are almost always there when you need to talk to someone. For the past six years, I have been the proud owner of my purebred Bengal cat named Spock. Although he's only seven years and four months old, he's taught me so much. Here's a few of the things that he has taught me.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

Kinder Self - Eyes

You're Your Own Best Friend

10220
Kinder Self - Eyes
Pexels

It's fun to see all of the selfies on social media, they are everywhere. I see pictures with pouty lips, duck lips and pucker lips. I see smokey eyes, huge fake lashes and nicely done nose jobs, boob jobs and butt lifts. Women working out in spandex, tiny tops and flip flops. I see tight abs and firm butts, manicured nails and toes, up dos and flowing hair. "Wow", I think to myself," I could apply tons of make-up, spend an hour on my hair, pose all day and not look like that. Maybe I need a longer stick!"

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments