I never fully appreciated 1146 Warrior Drive. I never thought I would leave, so why would I appreciate it? I've only lived at 1146. Well, I lived somewhere when I was one, but I don't remember. I remember in first grade when we learned our phone number and address my mom put the information on the fridge. I would walk by and repeat "1146 Warrior Drive" over and over. I remember feeling so proud when I could fill out my address.

I loved the bus ride to my house in elementary school. All my friends would get off before me, so I had the most time too hang out with them. Mrs. Reid, bus 27, would drop me off at the driveway and I would run to the steps. I would go to the snack box and sit on the couch. Arthur came on at 4:00, perfect timing. Some days after Arthur I would get on my bike and ride to my friend's house. When it was warmer, friends would come and swim in the pool. I loved having friends come swim. I loved my house.

Our backyard wasn't a normal backyard. It was magical. I would run through the grass all afternoon until it got dark. Playing in the trees, making up games with my brother, laying out a blanket so I could color. Summer was my absolute favorite season because I got to spend so much time at home.

I had all my younger birthdays at 1146. Cinderella came to 1146 as well as a petting zoo, a rock wall, a bucket of fish. My birthdays made me happier than ever. I always felt special. Before my birthday party at Lillie Belle's, my mom curled my hair in her bathroom. I put on my princess dress and walked down the stairs. My family was waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs. I felt like a high school girl in a movie walking down for prom. I felt so grown up.

My mom got a butterfly key made for me for the door. I kept it on a keychain inside my backpack. I loved telling my friends I had my very own key. I still have that butterfly key.

Our driveway was the coolest. It seemed like miles long. I colored the driveway each summer with chalk. I fell and scraped my knee and got right back up. I learned to ride a bike, how to roller skate. I hooked up a sprinkler and ran through it for hours. I would give my dogs baths every day. I just wanted to be on our driveway. The first time I ever stayed home alone I remember not being scared.

I was at home. 1146 was safe. It was my place. My safe space. My home.

In fifth grade, I got to have a big sleepover. We had air mattresses all over the floor, snacks everywhere. It was so fun and I was so excited to show my friends my pink room. I got a pink and zebra print room makeover when I became a big girl. It was the coolest room ever. I would lay on my bed and color while listening to 107.5 The River on my radio. At night, my parents would come tuck me in. My dad would turn on my CD player. Each night I listened to "Adventures in Odyssey" while I went to sleep.

Middle school and high school was obviously dramatic. Teen girls are wack. I loved coming home after a long day. I would lay on the couch after doing homework. It was all I wanted all day long. I cried on my bathroom floor over boys, got ready for homecoming, and did homework on the counter. 1146 was there for it all. I got picked up for my first date at 1146. I was so nervous when my dad opened the front door and my date nervously walked in.

All of my holidays happened at 1146. Santa covered the living room with presents, the Easter bunny decorated the kitchen table, and the Tooth Fairy always left money under my pillow. My brother and I would fight over who got to go under the stairs and pull out the Christmas decorations. My dad would pour us egg nog and we would decorate the house as a family. Christmas time brings back my favorite memories. 1146 brings back my favorite memories.

Leaving for college was hard. I cried over leaving my parents, but I really cried over leaving my home. 1146 was my comfort and my safe place. I missed my bed, I missed my couch, I missed the smell. Even three years into college I cry about home. I miss the feeling I get when home.

I could go on and on, but I'm crying writing this (lol). Though I won't have the physical home that built me anymore, I will have the memories. Sorry to the new owners, I will definitely be driving by a lot.

Thank you 1146 Warrior Drive for giving me and my family the most amazing 20 years.