1507 Brittany Lane...

There is a blue house that exists in Marion on a little street called Brittany Lane. This is a wondrous house where many a great times have been had. It sets in a great little neighborhood, where kids ride their bikes on the street, and occasionally grown-ups will be spotted riding 4-wheelers or pink mopeds around. There have been many hayrides, bonfires, and get togethers where friends have laughed so much. It is full of great neighbors, who actually wave at each other when they walk out the front door, and come sit on your deck with you to shoot the breeze after work. This is the place where my brother has lived for the past few years.

I still remember my brother moving out to this house in Marion. I was not very pleased at this development in the beginning. My brother and I were still living in our parents' house, and he was the first to go. I was a bit jealous of this house taking my buddy away from me. No more Saturday morning brunches of assorted appetizer like foods baked in the oven. No more movie fest where we quote the lines as they are happening in the movie and just burst into laughter. No more trips to Millstone together when we wanted a specific snack. No more check ins when one of us came home late at night on the weekends(him...always him, ha ha). No more living with Nick.

Needless to say, I did get over my bit of a broken heart from Nick moving out. I soon discovered that plenty of fun was to be had at his house. I have made so many memories at this house, that I will most likely drive by it for years to come and remember some pretty amazing times.

The funny thing is, the first time I walked in this house I was almost angry at the sight of it - cause it was taking my brother away - and now, I'm becoming a bit emotional about the place. I walked in each of the rooms this Saturday. I was alone. The rooms were completely empty. It was just like the first time I was ever in the house. Only this time, when I walked from room to room, a memory flashed. This has been an amazing place for my brother to have lived in. It has been a good house to him. And now as I walked around alone it the empty thing, I became sad. This may be the last time I walk through it. We helped Nick move out the remains of the garage and it really struck me. Nick and I have spent SO much time in his garage. We loved to sit out on the tailgate of his truck, or in the seats of his boat, and just talk. We are lucky enough to have a relationship where we talk to each other about anything and everything. As I swept the garage floor of leaves that had blown in, I pictured them blowing in there on an evening where we had the big door open and just talking away - not even noticing the leaves collecting in that corner, because we were so involved in our conversation. That won't ever happen again in that garage.

Although I am sad to see such a great little place go, I get excited about all that is to come for my brother, and his new family. We will just have to make new, better memories at his new house. There's a garage there, too. We could have some great convos there too. Although I don't think Richelle would like it if we let leaves drift in. :) There are so many wonderful times to be had. Just like with his other house. I don't see all that is to come. It is good to keep the old memories, and make new ones. Soon enough, I won't even think to drive by that blue house. I will just be on a route to his current house!