Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Ode to My Apartment, Part 1

We finally closed on the house. Which means a whole lot of change is going to be upon me soon.

Last night, I got a little nostalgic knowing that it would be my last time voting at the poll I've been going to for years. My parents' address is still on my driver's license, so I get to go vote at my elementary school. As I walked out of the auditorium last night, I paused to look at the lunch tables. I remember sitting there, awkward and skinny, not wanting to eat my sandwiches. It made me a little sad that I won't have a reason to go back for visits anymore.

As part of this whole packing-up-and-moving-on process, I'm feeling compelled to write posts honoring the apartment that has housed me for the last 8 years. I never thought I would be there so long. I remember talking myself out of painting and making changes many times because I thought, "I'll probably move soon anyway." Oh, how time flies.

The little yellow 1950's masterpiece below is my kitchen. It's a place that I have loved and hated through the years. Loved its extensive storage space, its warmth, its ability to provide me with what I need to prepare great meals. Hated it for being the place that forces me to do dishes. I cannot wait to have a dishwasher.



It's also the place where Mr. Wonderful cooked for me the very first time.

Before he and I met in person, we teased each other back and forth online about who would cook for whom first. Naturally, the gourmet won.

He showed up to my house with chocolate soufflé batter in a Tupperware container, a bottle of wine and all the fixings for chicken Marsala. He was wearing a brown and turquoise striped shirt and I remember being excited because I was wearing the same colors. A sign, perhaps.

He seemed a little nervous as he found his way around my kitchen utensils and pans. I sat on the counter and watched him, thinking his awkwardness was adorable. Maybe he was just thrown by my olive green 70's stove...


After we ate his delicious soufflé and polished off the bottle of wine, we sat side-by-side on the couch looking at vacation pictures on his iphone. I was enthralled in the images of Italy when he grabbed the phone from my hand, took me by the shoulders and kissed me. The rest is a post for another time...and maybe another website...

Thank you, Kitchen, for helping facilitate that first kiss.

14 comments:

LesleyG said...

Awww, congratulations on the house! I am sure you'll always remember that green range... among other things! :)

Jane Moneypenny said...

You're just like me! I have a weird emotional attachment to physical spaces. I've moved a lot since I was 18 and each space has meant so much. What's exciting is each new place has brought new and wonderful things and yours comes with a handsome man this time!

Danielle said...

Congrats! That is awesome and you get to have all new firsts at your new place. How exciting!

HHP said...

I'm very excited for you! (btw did you ever notice our kitchens have the same yellow tile)

Sizzle said...

I love the counter tops of your kitchen. Man, I am sucker for 1950s decor.

What a sweet story of you and Mr. W and the first kiss. :-)

Congratulations on the house! I'm so excited for you.

Mandy_Fish said...

Was that your first date, you trollop?

Melissa Maris said...

LesleyG - Thanks! Yes, I grew quite fond of the green range. Particularly because the stove I had before it only had 2 working burners - not easy to cook with that!

Jane - Haven't we already established we were separated at birth? ;) You're totally right - every place one lives ends up holding special memories. Good call.

Danielle - Thanks! I'm definitely looking forward to all the firsts there. Especially the first cleaning/organizing stint. :)

HHP - I don't think I did notice that but it warms my heart. I'm excited for you to take over the new house and add a nice feminine touch! ;)

Sizzle - You'll love the bathroom when I post pictures of it, too. :) Thanks for the congrats. This has been about a year in the making!

Mandy - It was my second, thankyouverymuch. I do possess a smidge of restraint!

Lindsey said...

Awwww. I was sad when I moved out of mine too...so many memories. But so many more to make. Congratulations.

megabrooke said...

SO happy for you both!! congrats lady!!! loved this post, by the way :)

Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks said...

Oh how I love this post. It's absolutely as adorable as your guacamole stove. I'm pretty sure my parents' first house had appliances outfitted in that color. It was quite the thing in the 1970s! I'll bet that's what sent Mr. W. over the edge and compelled him to kiss you. Well, that and your charm and your beauty, of course!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the new digs. Especially in this market!

Amy said...

Be glad that you are leaving this place under good circumstances. I have been packing up and trying to sell my house for the past few months...We lived there for 10 years...7.5 of which we were married. There are a lot of wonderful memories there, and now many painful ones. It's crazy what an influence an house has on a person. I'm so happy for you!!!

blakspring said...

get a room! haha - seriously, what a sweet story. and congratulations on the house :)

Christian Traughber said...

Yah, me too! I've also had some weird experiences in my old apartment. Some of them are nice, and some are not-so nice. But when I bid farewell to my old place, I almost cried (seriously)! But living in my new crib has never been so good. It's more peaceful and relaxing than with my old one. And I got along with my neighbors easily because they are friendly and sweet.
Congrats on your new home!