Growing up, hanging out in my neighborhood looked like an episode of "Hey Arnold!". "The neighborhood kids" would start each day walking to the bus stop together and end each night riding our bikes and scooters until the moon was up. Our squad was known to cause mischief throughout the neighborhood 365 days a year, morning, noon and night. Growing up in a huge development meant always having a partner in crime to wreck havoc with. But with all the friends I made in my neighborhood, it's my next door neighbors that I have to thank for the best childhood memories.
Throughout elementary school, our neighborhood was constantly moving. Physically and literally, there was always a buzz of energy running throughout our cul-de-sac court."The neighborhood kids" were notorious for spending all hours of the day playing outside and for making too much noise. The younger kids looked up to the older kids as we taught them how to ride their bikes and have successful lemonade stands. When our neighborhood was in its prime, we were like brothers and sisters growing up under different roofs. At school, we would look out for each other even though we would chase each other around like animals back at home. Back in the day, I didn't realize how much time we spent together, or how tight we all were. Something I still don't understand is how a random group of kids blended so well. The dynamic of our neighbor was seamless and to this day I don't know how I got so lucky.
Then the glory days of elementary school turned into awkward days and then the worse days of our lives. Middle school and high school. We stopped chasing ghosts and capturing the flag in middle school and traded in our old neighborhood games for nights out on our stoop just 'hanging out'. When high school hit, it was us who taught our friends to include and not exclude, and that more is merrier. Our adolescence contained odd periods of being close to one another and then growing far apart. But when one needed the other, without question, we would meet on our front steps and hear each other out. My neighbors turned into my true friends and my claimed "friends" were nothing compared to these next door neighbor heroes. We had each other's backs when it was actually needed.
Being your next door neighbor has been one hell of a ride. I'm forever thankful for the memories we share through every snow storm, trick-or-treat and summertime. One thing is for sure, you have taught me life lessons I wouldn't have learned anywhere else than by your side.
When I was down, you told me to pick myself up and stand up for who I was. To this day, you are still the strongest person I know because you never let anyone bring you down.
You taught me honesty and loyalty. You stuck up for me and I stuck up for you, a trust I haven't found anywhere else than in our friendship.
Because of you, I learned how to ride a bike. I'm really appreciative of that one actually.
You taught me to only surround myself with genuine, true friends. Because of our friendship, I know what that looks like. I have learned that time is short and there is only room for laughter and fun, thanks to you.
For all dances, we made up and stupid games we've played, I have to thank you for always accepting who I was. Even if my ideas were wack, you stuck by my side through my dumbest ideas. What a true friend.
Most recently you've inspired me to chase after my wildest dreams, just as you are yours. I am so proud of how far you've come and I can't wait to see all the places you go.
Thank you for being the absolute best partner in crime and for tee-peeing houses of our disliked neighbors throughout the years.
-Your next door neighbor.
