I promised not to squeal, but...

A little over a year ago, this dear and long-time housemate
made a life decision to head into the Peace Corps,
halfway around the world.

Change was a-comin', and we knew it.

Next,

this lovely one went and got herself a husband.

And then, in an unexpected twist,
the house I was planning to continue on in without them?

Went and got itself sold.

I found myself in a conundrum: Where now shall I live?

And then, blessing poured itself all around me.

This [photo-bombing] friend made his own life decision,

buying a house and
[drum-roll please]

vacating the sweetest little cottage known to man.

Enter, blessing: My new and lovely little home.

And so, on Saturday morning past,
a crew of my favorites showed up at my old door,
to usher me to my new.

 In a flurry of activity

[and of love],

 we loaded up the truck,

 we packed things into vans.

Through it all I rejoiced--

I was the giddiest, happiest girl.

And yet, I held myself back from the full-on squealing of excitement that had become customary over the weeks leading up to the big day.  I figured that people were tired of my extreme glee, and practiced keeping myself calm.  Normal.  A grown adult.

So far so good, we drove across town

with all of my belongings,

unloaded

and carried

and arranged.

More than that, though,

 we reveled in the moment,

that brought us all together.

And then, the party started for real.

 We dwelt together

and conversed together,

 filling up that adorable little cottage with our togetherness.

We reveled in the antics of the children,

and in the arrival of the pulled pork.

And then?

 We went out into the green green yard,

 next to the pond
[THE POND!!!!!!]--

 my faithful parents

 and all of these people that I love--

and had ourselves the grandest time.

And though I had worked so hard on restraining my zeal--

my voice rose and my heart leaped 

and I just lost it with absolute and grateful joy.

Because here's the simple truth:  

All I need out of life are my favorites around me, my home warm and cozy, my yard full of green, and pulled pork.

And since that's the blessing given to me for this new season--

how can I keep from squealing?