once...

pin.

i moved into my house brand new, so when i was new to the neighborhood, so was everyone else.

one of my first sundays in my house, i heard a knock at the door.

now, rookie mistake.

at this point in the universe, it seems like knocks at the door don't happen very often without a heads up. right?  like, i usually know to expect someone before they actually arrive at my front door.

BUT. the thrill of having my own door to knock on was still in full effect.

{that early into my homeownership experience, i hadn't learned to ignore the knocks and chimes at my front door because every single water softener and home security salesman would try to sell me something.}

so.  sunday night.

knock at the door.

i had a roommate.

but i was the only way home.

i opened the door and saw a very average looking guy... my age-ish... bearing a plate of cookies.

"hi!  my name is ____________. i'm your neighbor!"

and then he said.  AND THEN HE SAID

i can see you through your window and you seem fun! so, i baked you these cookies."

i took the plate of cookies and said, "uh, thanks.  do you want your plate back?"

i knew that if he did not take it right then, he was not getting his plate back.

he would not take his plate.  in his mind, i'm sure he was thinking i'd come knocking at his door in a week or so to give it back... feeding our budding friendship.  but in my mind, i knew he was not getting his plate back.

his plate still sits in my cupboard.  practically retired to the unmatched plate graveyard on the second shelf.

and now, five years and one ward boundary shuffle later...

i see him every sunday and act completely natural/ignorant as we sit within the same few pews of each other.

p.s.  the cookies didn't look even a fraction as good as the ones in the picture.  neither did his plate.