Dear House,

Tomorrow we are putting you on the market.  It's not because you are bad, we don't like you or you haven't been good to us.  It's because we have filled your walls with more than you can hold & we need a place with more space.  

The right person is looking for you.  They are waiting for you.  You will be exactly what they need.  You were here for us during one of the most important seasons of our life.  You were the driveway we pulled into when we were bringing home babies.  You have seen and heard it all.  The tears, laughter, arguments, sleepless nights, cuddles, cartoons on the couch, both awesome and failed cooking attempts.  You have been our home and you have treated us well.  I hope you feel like we have treated you well too.  

Here are some ways you have served our family and have brought so much good to our lives: 

• We brought babies home to you.  You brought us from being a couple to a family.
• We paid off over $20,000 in student loan debt under your roof.
• We met the sweetest neighbors that have turned into friends- Tom and DeeAnn, the sweetest retired couple on one side; Josh and Steph on the other, examples of what great parenting looks like.  Two amazing examples of GOOD PEOPLE.  
• We played in the yard and taught Everett how to hit the ball here
• You've been our life... our home office, home gym and home-home. 
• You've taught us what it takes to own a home & take care of it.  We've learned the value of making sure we have a little extra sitting in savings just in case of "house emergencies" (a new water heater + furnace in the same week...yikes!)
• You've allowed me the opportunity to play with different paint colors and learn my style.
• You've challenged us to get creative and learn ways to store items in small spaces, while also being content with what we have
• You've forced us to ask "do we really need this?" While we aren't minimalist, we have worked hard to be thoughtful about what we bring into our home. 

You've been so good to us, house.  I'm sad to leave you but also understand it's they way life is.  You've been a huge part of our journey, and we've been a part of yours too.  You deserve someone who will continue to love you and appreciate all the charm, beauty and character you have to offer. 

Love, the McIntee's