Neighborly Love

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When we moved into our house six years ago, one of our biggest questions was “what will our neighbors be like?” Since that time, we have come to know the people who share our street quite well and cannot be more thankful to now call them friends.

They don’t just share a cup of milk or an extra egg when in a pinch. No, they go above and beyond. My neighbors have removed a bat from inside my house. Helped pump water out of our basement. Let us borrow countless tools and appliances. Shared their vehicle. Watched my kids. Grocery shopped for us. Picked us up from the middle of a walk when a rainstorm popped up. Broken into our house when we were locked out. We’ve swapped clothing, shared meals, celebrated together, cried together and the list goes on and on.

neighbors as friendsI’m not exactly sure just how I would get through some of these trying times if it weren’t for my neighbors. We weren’t meant to do this parenting thing alone. They’re like an extension of our family. It’s almost as if we share an unspoken agreement to support one another, look out for each other help as needed, and just be there when their text or call comes through.

This relationship we’ve developed in the six short years in our home has strengthened my faith in humanity. To think that not long ago we didn’t know each other and now they are my first line of defense when we’re in need. We don’t have family nearby and my husband often works weekends and travels overnight. Our neighbors are a reassurance to my husband and I that someone always has our back. 

Our neighbors’ children were among my kids’ first friends. If my kids see or hear them outdoors or vice versa, it’s a spontaneous front yard playdate. We’ve had impromptu family pizza parties in the backyard, shared countless sprinkler and plastic pool summer fun and commissioned too many scooter races to count. 

Our neighbors are a big part of my family’s life and a huge part of my kids’ childhood. They’re a staple in the village that is helping develop, grow and nurture my children. I love the lessons my kids are learning by seeing people with such willing hearts love, support and serve our family.

It’s not lost on me just how special it is to have such incredible neighbors. I’d be lying if I said we shared a close relationship with everyone living in immediate proximity, but having a handful of people nearby who you know you can count on provides a very satisfying feeling. Our neighbors have impacted us in such a positive way that I’m motivated to be a better neighbor, friend and person myself.

Thank you to our amazing, loving & reliable neighbors. I think we can all learn a few things from Mr. Rogers too. Won’t you be my neighbor? 
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Emily
Emily Bice grew up in a small, Ohio farming community west of Columbus. It wasn't until she met her college sweetheart and future husband that her mind was opened to living elsewhere. They say love makes you do crazy things which lead Emily and her Texan husband to living in Central America for two years. After much adventure and traveling, she ended up back in Columbus where the real adventure began: motherhood. She is the mom of two young boys and an infant daughter and wife to the ultimate man's man. She's living her dream as a stay at home mom but will be the first to admit that she is far from having it all figured out. Her hardest parenting moments are typically around nap time and bedtime and after particularly rough episodes she can be found online shopping. In a former chapter of life, Emily worked in non-profit raising funds and awareness for important causes. Today, she spends her time playing and snuggling with her three children, traveling to and from her husband's lacrosse company's events and socializing with friends and family. When she has any free time, she usually wastes it trying to figure out what to do.