You are and always will be an essential part of my childhood. You were more than just a four-bedroom house; you were a home filled with memories, fun-filled events, and a lot of lessons learned. From sleepovers and birthday parties to making mistakes and having bad days, I learned a lot in this house. It has seen a lot. I never acknowledged this moment, but deep down, I always knew this day would come. You were made especially for us. We helped build you, and you helped build me. This goodbye is not temporary. This goodbye is forever.
I have known you for about 15 years. That is almost my whole life.
One of the rooms in the house was made just for me. Throughout the years it was decorated and rearranged based on my personality and liking. This is the room I went to when I wanted to dance in the mirror to Justin Bieber’s latest song or when I wanted to be alone to cry. This was my personal hideaway and the place I went to when I wanted to feel secure. It is filled with many moments, emotions, and memories.
The kitchen is special too because this is where my mom taught me how to make different dishes and let me help her prepare meals for dinners and parties. She was never mad if I made a mess in the kitchen after making brownies or the cookies my dad enjoyed. This is where I learned how to cook and bake. In the backyard, my dad made me my own special pitcher's mound so I could practice every day for softball. I played softball with a lot of teammates, but my dad and poppy will always be my favorite catchers. In the basement, my brother and I always played video games together from Gamecube to Nintendo Wii. I will never forget my 13th birthday party when I had 15 friends over for a sleepover. That was definitely the biggest sleepover I had.
Ten years ago I was running around the backyard playing tag with my brother or playing catch with my dad. Five years ago I was helping my mom cook dinner almost every night. Four years ago I cried in my bedroom after my first heartbreak. Three years ago I graduated high school and had a party to celebrate. Two years ago my mom took a picture of me in the living room before my first day of college. One year ago I was sitting at the kitchen table applying to colleges as a transfer student. Seven months ago I was packing to go away to college. Four months ago my mom put a for sale sign in our front yard. A month ago our home was filled with boxes. A week ago our home was completely empty. A week ago I stood in front of what I once called home and said goodbye for the last time.
I don’t want to say I outgrew this house because I love it dearly, but it was time to move on. The house might be gone, and I might be calling a new place home, but the memories will never be forgotten. It is time for me to close this chapter of my life so I can start another one. It is time for a new family to have the amazing opportunity I had. This house will always be a part of me, and I will always be a part of the house too.
