220 Ashley Drive
Where do I even begin? 220 Ashley Drive is the first place I lived in that marked my adulthood. I signed my first lease ever here. I learned to take care of adult things like paying utilities (having my name on utilities), getting my first real job with a set schedule and salary, owning my first animal, loving and letting go of old friends and relationships, finding God again and again, and, finally, meeting the man of my dreams.
Let me take you on a tour of three years of my adult life:
Meet 220 Ashley Drive.
When my former roommate and I were first looking for an apartment, we couldn't find anything that worked until my friend Chris forwarded a website to me with a link to this location. It was smack dab in the middle of the city, right between my parents two neighborhoods, a few miles from where I used to work, and half a mile from her work. Not only that, but it was on Ashley Drive and her name is Ashley. It was available immediately, had two bedrooms, and the rent was reasonable. Needless to say, it was meant to be.
I owned three cars during the three years I lived here:
Jolene, a hunter green Jeep Cherokee, the first car I ever 'Officially' bought and took care of
Benny, a silver Jetta that I learned to drive a stick in, which also turned out to be a lemon
Jubilee, my current car, a Jetta that I have taken great care of.
Twice, I got in a wreck backing out of this driveway, and accidentally running into my neighbors car (thankfully, not the current resident because she was mean).
Two different cars, same wreck, and the only two wrecks I've ever had were with parked cars in the
exact. same. spot.
Eventually, I learned out to back out, and stay a little closer to the other side of the driveway, as you can see by the wheel imprint in the grass....
Though the back staircase left a lot to be desired, seeing as the paint job was chipped way, the stairs were scuffed, and there was a cat smell in the air.
Came to find out that the owner before me had let 75 cats live in the building before we moved in, carpet and all... At this point in my life, I was far from a cat person. I tolerated them, and couldn't say anymore. I looked past it, and boy, am I glad I did.
My dad ended up resanding the floors to get the smell out, and it worked like a charm. Except on this staircase which will probably always smell of cats.
I adored this kitchen! I learned to cook so many wonderful recipes, and the way it was laid out always made me smile. I liked to be my own personal version of "Susie homemaker" in this kitchen.
The stove was gas, which I love! The window, though cracked all three years had a view of the backyard. Our backyard was open (no gates), and I could see the neighbors playing with their dog, or the tom cats chasing each other. In the winter, it looks dead, but in the summer, the grass, trees, and everything was beautiful. Even the stars were bright when I would go sit on the back stairs.
I used to celebrate big events with whiskey shots, then, when I grew out of that stage, tequila shots.
The hard wood floors made me smile, and the dining room was just enough, especially with the lovely chandelier that always made me feel more grown up (because all grown ups have chandeliers...).
I sat in this room with a friend of mine once, and I remember deciding that I wanted to start going to church again. I remember feeling like I was being called to come back and worship, and it was a big moment for me.
Our den was rectangular with a huge window. The view outside the window, though maybe not much to some people, was incredible for me.
My fiance and I will probably never forget this living room because
it is where we decided we were going to spend the rest of our lives together.
The majestic tree outside in our front yard never failed to bring me comfort, and on rainy days, I loved to watch the water dripping.
Even Mr. Bojangles, the cat I eventually adopted loved to perch on the window sill to watch the 20 squirrels who live in the tree.
I loved that there was so much light in the apartment. The windows provided more than enough, and probably encouraged my obsession for lamps providing lights instead of overhead lighting.
The guest bedroom was a little odd, but I grew to like the fact that the dryer hookup was at the complete opposite end of the apartment. I didn't spend much time in this room because it was my roommate's room, and then another roommates room. When they moved out, and I had the place to myself, it became my spare storage room.
In the hallway between the bedrooms, there is a telephone shelf - specifically for telephones. I always wanted to get one specifically for that shelf, but in this day and age, it was simply not practical. Although, I will admit I almost got rid of my cell phone to install a home phone. Again, unfortunately, completely impractical.
The bathroom: the blue tile was wonderful. It was bright, and friendly, gave me many glorious bubble baths while the rain would pour outside.
I do love rain a lot.
I'm pretty sure the tiffany blue color of the tiles inspired my bedroom color: tiffany blue.
I painted this room after a year of living here, and never regretted it. I remember sitting on my bed, and thinking that I needed to decorate in a more grown up fashion.
I took down all of the artwork hanging up, painted, and bought two- three wall decor pieces that I loved! I got new bedding, and finally felt like I wasn't an adult living in a college dorm room.
In this room, I learned to sew clothes. I painted, cried, relaxed, and eventually sewed my wedding dress, and four bridesmaid dresses.
I spent more time in here than any other place in my entire apartment, and I will miss it a lot.
There are times in our lives when we must move on. We grow up and let go of things that once mattered so much in order to make room for things that will make us learn, and continue to inspire.
We grow out of places, people, clothing, styles, and hobbies.
We fall in love with the process of learning to live as we grow, and it becomes an adventure.
This apartment was a major step in my life adventure.
My future husband and I kissed on these steps for the first time. We rescued my cat from under that shed in the background. I sat on these steps dozens of times thinking about where I would be in one, five, and ten years. Sometimes dreading the future, and sometimes looking forward to it.
54 more days until I get to marry the man of my dreams!!!!
Goodbye 220 Ashley Drive.
You were beloved, but there are new adventures to come!
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