Dear Wild Azalea Lane, I never thought I would have to say goodbye to you, but since it is “officially official,” I guess it is finally time. At the end of the summer, we will be moving to the Low Country.

I have lived in some version of 81 Wild Azalea Lane for 27 years. To help put that into perspective, the internet had just become something everyone was figuring out when I was signing the move-in paperwork. I have so many memories associated with this place. We raised two amazing children in this house and were parents of many poorly behaved fur babies over the years. Here are a few of my favorites:

13 years of First Day of School pics on the front porch.

The many birthday pool parties.

All the smoked pork cooked on the back deck.

Firepit hangouts to solve all the world’s problems and reflect on life.

In some ways, it is the right time to say goodbye. Both kiddos will be off to college, so we will officially be empty-nest parents. It will be our time to find our next chapter in this thing we call life. I will cherish every single moment this spring and summer. I will also take some of our precious Wild Azaleas with me to the Low Country. Fingers crossed a young family who likes to swim, fish, pluck figs and all of the berries, and hunt for snakes buys this amazing home. She did right by us for so many years.

• lifeinmiddleage