At a gathering earlier this month, one of my neighbors commented: “you pick your house, but your inherit your neighbors; it’s so lucky that we ended up with such a great block.” To this, another neighbor replied: “Actually, my husband chose to build a house on this street because he liked the people here so much.”
Wow! Both of the comments made me think about how we chose this home in Bethesda, which wasn’t in the initial set of neighborhoods we were looking at, and didn’t have some of the features we’d thought we’d wanted–and yet some of its true virtues were completely lost on me when we signed the contract. What did I care about the cul de sac address? I was on my way to my own backyard and big kitchen — novelties after four years in New York City. As it turns out, living on a block with no thru-traffic has been an incredible gift for our children; it has empowered us to turn our kids out on the street with bikes, scooters, hockey sticks, and sidewalk chalk, and let them play independently for hours with neighborhood children without the slightest worry. It has also given us a convenient, out-of-the-way gathering place for morning coffee catch-ups and evening “roadies” with the neighbors; we spill into the street in bare feet, and collect in conversation.
And how could I have known I’d luck into such nurturing neighbors? The week before we moved in, one of them mowed our lawn for us; we were driving in from New York, exhausted and frazzled, and couldn’t believe our eyes. What an incredible generosity, to pull up to a new home with a freshly groomed yard. And that was just a foreshadowing of what would come. My neighbors have saved me dozens of times since, coming to my rescue with missing packages, “have you seen my dog?”, cups of sugar, ice for parties, spare towels, parenting solidarity, hand-me-down toys and books, extra folding chairs, Disney tips, restaurant recs, bug spray, words of encouragement when I really needed it, even a leant vacation home (!!) when we were desperate to get out of dodge. I will never forget their tenderness when our dog died. I emailed our next door neighbors first — even before telling other family members — because they just needed to know, would wonder where she was, and I knew they would have the right thing to say. They did. And they mourned her with us, and planted flowers in her memory, and placed a little rock with her paw print and name on it in the cul de sac.
And how could I have anticipated that the sweet thirteen year old girl next door would become something of a big sister to my kids, baby-sitting them and serving as a mother’s helper for countless afternoons and evenings? That she would one day wear a friendship bracelet my daughter had made her, and proudly, to her high school, completely thrilling my six-year-old?
A good house is probably just as precious as a good neighbor. I did nothing to vet for this, but how lucky I am to live on a street full of them.
I’m curious — what drew you to your home? And what endears it to you now? Is there a difference between the two?
Post-Scripts.
+Imprints of a new (suburban) lifestyle.
+On our decision to leave NYC.
+How do you make a big life decision?
+Another musing in which I reflect on neighbors who turn out to be guardian angels.
Post-Scripts.
+OOO Tuckernuck has me with this blouse and pants set.
+Obsessed with this striped weekender bag and these cheeky SPF/beach pouches.
+Currently wearing and loving these comfortable patterned shorts. They are lined but with an airy cotton so it feels SO easy breezy but totally opaque. Just obsessed with the pattern!
+Smart high-waisted pants (under $100) to pair with your summer blouses. Would look great with this ruffle trim blouse (also under $100), which reminds me of this Doen!
+How CHIC (?!) is this boucle tank and skirt situation?
+This $64 shell necklace is perfect.
+A chic gingham top for under $50. Reminds me of Posse!
+TKEES are a beach must. I love mine.
+Have been getting a lot of wear out of this fun little $10 hair clip.
+Love (!) Few Moda’s collab with Alli Sisto Daniels! I have this gingham mini and this patterned set sitting in my cart! Exactly what I want to be wearing right now.
+My daughter was invited to two pool parties this week! I sent her with these dive buddies as a gift. Other cute ideas: these inflatable noodles, this waterproof set of Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, and these waterproof cards.
+Veronica Beard’s new tennis capsule is so chic!
+Madewell’s newest woven bag is so good!
+Cute party products for the FOJ: striped plates, scalloped plates, flag cups.
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Image via Pierre Jeanneret on Upsplash.