The stage has been set ...

It didn't seem real until I met them.

Standing in front of the house, talking about the clematis vine that covers the arbour in the summer and the new paint and the little kids a block away, I started to believe.

That we really did buy a house.

I'm still a little scared and cautious and worried that it won't work out, that something will happen, that it will all fall through.

But as it stands right now, we have an accepted offer. We're doing the inspection and financing and insurance. They have arranged to move out early so that we can get settled before Christmas. Our closing date is a mere five weeks from now.

It happened quickly: was listed Wednesday afternoon, called agent the next morning, went to see it that afternoon, took Chris and family back that evening, and then made the offer that night! It wasn't love at first sight (a little smaller than we'd been wanting, not in the new neighbourhood we'd been liking) but the price was right, the neighbourhood isn't bad (walking distance to the Save Easy!) and there's a school around the corner.

It doesn't hurt that it's gorgeous.

And when I accidentally met them this morning (took Mela to see our new home), I saw that they are lovely people, friendly and conscientious (the house is ridiculously well-kept), which helps me believe that they won't somehow back out at the last minute.

They really are moving and so are we. They have sold their house, the place where they raised their children and lived for 30 years, and we have bought our first home. We have bought the flowering clematis and the adorable mailbox and the spotless workshop and the magical attic.

I'm still in total shock but it's slowly starting to sink in.

We now have the stage for our lives ahead, the place our kids will look at someday and say, "That's where I grew up."

Hello home. It's nice to finally meet you.