We only asked about you because you were one of the only ones (houses, not people) to not wave or greet us when we moved in, and when we waved in your direction when you passed. We didn't go house to house introducing ourselves when we moved in, or anything, but, when we'd wave or casually bump into a neighbor, they'd wave back and say hi. But, you two... did not. So yes, I did ask around, wondering whether you were friendly. No assumptions were made by us at all, that's why I said "roommate/partner" because, to me, whether you're gay/straight/lesbian/roommates/friends, that's inconsequential to me, as long as you're kind too thers and not hurtful towards people or us, I'm fine with whomever and whatever. 

It kills me to know now, after the fact, that you were both former military. I believe, had you have known this about us, and us about you, that our relationship would have been that much different, and that you (both) and my husband would have had a great deal in common and to talk about. I, to this day, have no idea what happened before we moved in to know why you guys were always so on edge about others' children and your stuff, but I always like to think for myself, make my own opinions, it was just unfortunate that you always came across as hateful towards all children, which is why I formed that opinion and it happened to match that opinion from others. 

We were so excited to see so many children living here when we first moved here (albeit, at first, a little dismayed there were a lot of boys, since we had girls who wanted to have friends, too). We're grateful now that the neighborhood has gotten more families with girls, too. The neighborhood might not be the quietest, but the joy running through the streets with bike-riding, scootering, skateboarding, and giggles from tag and games thrill me to no end. It truly has come a long way. My kids have their best friends living down these streets, here. 

My biggest issue with my children and playing outside with their neighbor friends, since they are always close-by is never disturbing others, or being disrespectful or anything close to that, is keeping the ding-dang shoes on their feet! I'm always so afraid they're going to hurt themselves! But, despite my repeated attempts at trying to get them to listen, I gotta figure, if that's the biggest thing I have to worry about when my kids are playing outside with other kids, I lead a pretty blessed life with amazing kids, you know?

I was sad to see some of your gorgeous flowering plants get demolished from your yard when that family moved in (always wanted to ask you what those were, the ones along the driveway, but figured you hated me and you wouldn't tell me). That family has their mother living with them, and needed to widen the driveway to make room for her car. Wasn't sad to see those cactuses go, though. :)

That one family in that other house we both mentioned (not yours), a young couple moved in and they're renovating the dickens out of it right now, doing a spectacular job. They are so proud, and often invite everyone in to see. I hope we're here to see it finished, but we have orders, and are nervously leaving this summer. We don't want to go. 

I suppose, if nothing else is to be learned from this experience, is that we never "judge a book by its cover." Not that I necessarily judged you the way you think I did, but, I just assumed you hated children by what I observed, the same way I think you assumed all our neighborhood's kids may have been the same when they weren't.

Lots of lessons to be learned here. But, I guess it's better to learn this lesson now, even if it is too late, now that you've moved and we're moving, than to not have learned it at all.