Henry and Betty

Our new home is a home that warms my soul.  There is something dreamy about a house that has been around for decades.

Moss in between bricks.  Hardwood floors that have just the right amount of creak.  Pine trees that stand tall and strong.  Windows that bathe rooms in sunlight. 

We bought this home from a couple named Henry and Betty.  They lived in this house close to 50 years.  They raised a daughter and son here.

 I think about Henry and Betty often as I walk room to room.  How many memories they must have made here.  How many days and nights shared together under this roof.

All of the neighbors have told us tidbits of Henry and Betty.  They are well-loved by their community.

We are slowly making this house our home.  With every brush stroke of paint, every home-made window treatment taken down, every carpet being pulled up...I can't help but take a moment and think about Henry and Betty.  It almost feels wrong taking apart their home.

Eric had to remind me just last night that this is our home now.

Both Henry and Betty still live somewhere here in Suffolk, Virginia.  I have been hoping to have a chance to meet them in person.  Tell them they can come visit anytime.

A couple days ago, a van pulled up to the end of the driveway and an older man got out and started walking towards me with a warm smile.  He told me that his name was Henry and right then I knew it was "the" Henry.

He was so nice and was so happy to see a young family with a boy and girl move into his old beloved home.  As we said our good-byes, my eyes started welling up.  And I could see his eyes matched mine.  

No matter if we are in this house for 1 year, 5 years or 50 years, we will give it as much love as they did.  More memories will be made in these walls and on this grass.  New memories to add to the old.  Thank you Henry and Betty for choosing us to continue bringing life to this little beautiful patch of land.