Day 63

Hi Dad,

We made it back safely to Chicago! It felt weird not texting that to you tonight, its one of the things on my checklist when we get home from Michigan. This was a crazy whirlwind trip to Michigan. I kind of interviewed for my real big person job - 5 different places! - and... WE BOUGHT A HOUSE! (Or at least have the agreement to buy the house.) Isn't that just crazy! I think you'll love it! It was a pretty stressful week.  And to be honest with the exception of a few people, we didn't really get the response we would have hoped for from everyone on the new house. Everyone has so many opinions and then seems to judge based on what they think is best for us and seem to be forgetting that it's not about other people, because it our house and our decision. You would have told me that and told me to tell the other people to "get over it" and make sure that we are making US happy. But I guess I was just disappointed that for one of the biggest milestones in our lives (our first home!) people weren't just completely unconditionally happy for us. But hopefully they'll soon see that Nick and I have our heads on straight, that thus far we have made excellent decisions for ourselves and that all that really matters is that we are happy.

You'll love the house and the lot - its a big lot, almost an acre! And when you look out the front window of the house, you look into a huge yard of trees. It's kind of serene. I think you would have thought it was beautiful and comforting. Nick is going to get (and need) a tractor to maintain the lawn. You of all people know how happy that makes him. He has already spent hours researching what he wants and what will be the best machine for our yard. He is so cute! I wish I could tell you that there is an extra bedroom for you to come and stay with us whenever you want to (but no smoking allowed!). But now maybe I just get to have you around a lot more than you would have actually spent there. I'll think of all your favorite spots and dream of you putzing around and doing little odds and ends to help us.

We are keeping our fingers crossed that the inspection and the appraisal go well. For now I'll leave you here in this room to look out on the trees in our front yard. I'll dedicate one to you, one really close to the house, so that when I look out the front I'll think of you in the pretty yard, always close by protecting us like I know you would. Love you so so much.

Love,
your baby girl
always & forever