When we bought our house in Silver Springs, it felt like all the sacrifices had finally paid off. My husband Dave and I had scrimped and saved for years, sacrificing vacations, dinners out, even replacing the old car, just to scrape together enough for the down payment.
Walking into our new home for the first time was like stepping into a dream. The backyard was sprawling compared to the tiny patch of concrete we’d had behind our apartment. For the first time, our son Simon had space to kick around his soccer ball without worrying about breaking a neighbor’s window, and our little girl Abby could run full speed without me hovering and warning her to “watch out.” It was everything we’d hoped for.
The first week, I unpacked boxes while Abby ran across the grass squealing with joy, her pigtails flying, and Simon proudly kicked a ball against the fence. The neighbors waved. Children rode their bikes down the quiet street.
