Would You Host a Birthday Party for Your House?

Birthday card balloons 25th birthdayWe don’t think twice about hosting a birthday party for someone we love. And yet, many of us have a hidden family member we don’t often talk about, let alone host a party for.

For 25 years, my family and I have been going to our lake house in the Adirondack Mountains.

My parents bought it when I just turned 16.

Even though I didn’t quite appreciate what this summer camp could mean to my family, I did know it was an amazing place to escape to.

Every weekend in the summer, we would drive to the lake.

If my friends wanted to see me, that’s where I would be. It was like going on a mini-vacation, and I wasn’t going to miss a single minute.

Over time, however, the lake house felt less like going on vacation and became more like going home. It became my getaway, my comfort and my place to recharge.

I felt at peace there.

For hours, I would lay on the dock reading a book, feeling the sun on my shoulders.

I would spend lie in my bed at night listening to the waves lapping against the shore as the cool air flowed in through my window.

The smell is indescribable and yet completely familiar.

The lake house became sacred to us.

You didn’t mess with the beauty of it, no matter how bad the decor was!

We didn’t care you could only tune in two radio stations, one of them being oldies but goodies, and had no television.

That was the charm and magic of the place. It offered a chance to unplug from the regular world and enjoy the simplicity of the lake.

Then my mom announced this summer would be our 25th season with the house, and she was going to throw a party.

What a strange concept? Who hosts a birthday party celebrating how long you’ve had a house?

At first, I dismissed the idea as novel and decided to just go with the flow. But as we came closer to the party, I found myself pouring over the memories of the house.

The lake house was one of the longest relationships I have ever had.

Of course it deserved to be celebrated.

The family put together a wonderful shindig — from pin the boat on the lake to singing happy birthday.

We played trivia and recalled funny stories. It was a celebration worthy of the lake house.

At the end of the day, I was thankful my mom had insisted on the party.

She understood better than I just how important the lake house was, not just as a destination, but as a member of our family.

This house had shaped us in ways we could never have imagined.

The lake house carried me from being an aimless teenager to a young corporate go-getter  to a mother.

Thank you Lake House. I will cherish the memories you created and am excited to build new ones with my family. Happy 25th Birthday.

15 Comments

  1. Sounds like a great reason for a party to me! My house was built in 1892. Maybe I should start planning a 125th birthday party. If only these walls could talk…

    1. That would be such a great idea! I wonder what kind of people have lived in your house.

      I used to live in a 1910 condo in Chicago. When we did some research on the building, we discovered it was a brothel at one point! The residents all got a kick out of that.

      1. The prior family we bought the house from actually lived here for 90 years. That we do know. The brother and sister who sold us the house (in their 80s) were actually born in the house!

  2. The house I’m currently living in is only just over a year old. I’d like to hold a party for it every month, if I could get away with it!
    Your lake house sounds amazing, and I think your mother has the right idea.

    1. Ha! I would love to have a brand new house 🙂 Our everyday house is a 1950s home. I love it but don’t like the upkeep.

  3. What a great idea! Our house is 119 years old and throwing a party for it sounds really fun!

  4. Sounds like fun. I think it is important to celebrate the good times. Besides that it is always fun to get together with the family and do things that you enjoy together. And who doesn’t like a get together where there is food or cake involved. Have fun and enjoy the party. 🙂

    1. I agree. We should celebrate the good times. And this was the perfect excuse 🙂

  5. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says:

    What an awesome idea! The Lake House sounds like a special place for your family!

    1. It really has been an amazing place for my family. We should celebrate all of the good times.

  6. What an intriguing idea, I honestly never would have thought to do that, but thinking about all the fun memories at my Grandparents house I could see myself loving a party like this. Super fun! Krista @ A Handful of Everything

    1. It was super fun and super sweet. Perhaps you’ll go ahead and host that party!

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