I’m so honored

[orezok]

About 3 years ago a young couple (upper 20’s) bought the 8 acres next to us. We were leaving for a short vacation when we saw the man filling a washout at the entrance to his drive with a shovel and a wagon. We stopped to say welcome to the neighborhood and told him that when we got back I would bring the tractor up and fix the drive.

That was the start of an unusual relationship. We got to know then very well over the years. The house they bought is currently an Airbnb but their long range plan is to move from their “LA” home and live in the desert.

They were not married when we first met. They planned their wedding on their site and needed a venue. I cleared about an acre, installed lighting, set them up with a caterer and built 10 picnic tables for the reception all of course with their help. I have done many other maintenance work gratis due to their remote living. When they planned their wedding, they asked my wife (age 77) to be a maid of honor. And then when we were seated, our seats were the closest to their head table, IN FRONT of both their parents. We had become their honorary grand parents. In fact they call us G-ma and G-pa.

The love passes both ways as every time they come up here they bring food and cook meals for us. When my wife had a minor surgery, they came up and prepared full meals for 3 days so that she could rest.

Well now to the crux of the story. They had their first child on Wednesday, and yesterday they told us that they gave him the middle name of “James” in honor of me. I’m sure that their first daughter will have Elizabeth!

How lucky can you get.

 

[Have tractor did travel]

Well now to the crux of the story. They had their first child on Wednesday, and yesterday they told us that they gave him the middle name of “James” in honor of me. I’m sure that their first daughter will have Elizabeth!

How lucky can you get.

Not luck, Orezok. That's a good life, well lived. Thank you for sharing with us. Good people can be found all over. You four found each other next door.
Highest regards to you,
Eric

 

[Rustyiron]

I believe that you passed on some of the "old ways" to them that may have been not available for their witness in LA. Great story

 

[3 Horse Ranch]

Well now to the crux of the story. They had their first child on Wednesday, and yesterday they told us that they gave him the middle name of “James” in honor of me. I’m sure that their first daughter will have Elizabeth!

What a beautiful post, thanks for sharing, This is the positive side of the adage, "what goes around, comes around,"

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

And that's how you do it.

Nice.

I wish all neighbors could be that neighborly. I miss my old neighbor buddy from our last house. He was even less "socially polished" than me (if that's even possible), but he was always there for us and vice versa. Now my "new" neighbors don't give each other, or me, the time of day. I don't even know most of their names.

Good for you Orezok.

 

[NorTracNY]

You clearly have gone beyond "good neighbors." Wonderful that you connected so well.

We had great neighbors when we first moved in, but every house around us has changed ownership. We're waiting for newest neighbor to arrive. They bought the house about 2 months ago and they haven't arrived yet! We only know they are from Texas and bought the house based upon their realtor walking around with tablet.

 

[dodge man]

Thanks for sharing your story of good fortune.

 

[Thomas]

Wish there was more kind acts as such...

 

[orezok]

OP here. There is a little more to the story. Michelle’s mother has been totally controlling her whole life. She still buys clothes for her 31 year old daughter! Her father seemed to be disconnected from what I discerned the only time I met him at the wedding. Jonathan’s father was a “boat people” from Viet Nam and seemed rather cold, maybe from his youthful experience.

In both cases their early family life was lacking and I think we filled in for a life they never had.

 

[KiotiKowboy]

Hmmmm ... my neighbor lets his dogs run loose.

 

[OldPaint]

I have both ends of the spectrum. One neighbor, smokes pot with her kid in the back yard, lets her dogs run wild, and then accuses me of calling the pound. Told her, "The pound costs too much. A .22 would fix the problem I have with those dogs a lot cheaper". One across the street, let me use his trailer any time I needed one until I bought my own. Next door on one side, cooks Boston Butt and ribs for us, I move a little dirt for him and snag a few roots out of his yard. Latest neighbor is a young fireman. Apparently they don't teach about trying to burn chopped up leaves at the fire department anymore. Has smoked us out so many times in the past year. Only plus is he went to school with my stepson.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

I thought welcoming people from different areas was taboo to some on this forum...

 

[Jstpssng]

I thought welcoming people from different areas was taboo to some on this forum...

No, that's a misnomer. What is taboo is moving to a new area, then immediately trying to turn it into where you just came from.

 

[Doughknob]

You Made That Uuuuuuuuup! (OP)

 

[oosik]

My nearest neighbor - 2.5 miles away - comes over two or three times a year. He is a fine fellow - we get along very well. He is a cattle rancher. Owns thousands of acres of range land. Wish I could get a picture of him. Comes cross country on his ATV. One of his cattle dogs is always riding on the rear platform of the ATV.

 

[dadiehl]

Awesome story! A neighbor makes or breaks the peace one has at home. Thank god mine too are great people… and part time. We watch the place and plow his driveway and cut the grass if their not around. In return he pours bourbon that I could never afford. All works out.

 

[marhar]

About 3 years ago a young couple (upper 20’s) bought the 8 acres next to us. We were leaving for a short vacation when we saw the man filling a washout at the entrance to his drive with a shovel and a wagon. We stopped to say welcome to the neighborhood and told him that when we got back I would bring the tractor up and fix the drive.

That was the start of an unusual relationship. We got to know then very well over the years. The house they bought is currently an Airbnb but their long range plan is to move from their “LA” home and live in the desert.

They were not married when we first met. They planned their wedding on their site and needed a venue. I cleared about an acre, installed lighting, set them up with a caterer and built 10 picnic tables for the reception all of course with their help. I have done many other maintenance work gratis due to their remote living. When they planned their wedding, they asked my wife (age 77) to be a maid of honor. And then when we were seated, our seats were the closest to their head table, IN FRONT of both their parents. We had become their honorary grand parents. In fact they call us G-ma and G-pa.

The love passes both ways as every time they come up here they bring food and cook meals for us. When my wife had a minor surgery, they came up and prepared full meals for 3 days so that she could rest.

Well now to the crux of the story. They had their first child on Wednesday, and yesterday they told us that they gave him the middle name of “James” in honor of me. I’m sure that their first daughter will have Elizabeth!

How lucky can you get.

That is rural living at its best! Also show us that there are young folks that have the right priorities! You are lucky to have them as a neighbor and they are lucky to have you and your wife as honorary Grand Parents.

 

[Doofy]

Very heartwarming story. Good Neighbors are priceless.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

a couple of my neighbors

 

[orezok]

You Made That Uuuuuuuuup! (OP)

You know that if I made that up, I would be a screen writer in Hollywood and making millions.