Come into your emotional rescue

When we first moved to Alexandria, we chose Del Ray because the old homes reminded us of Oakland. Where shelves are built inside walls and stairs and patios don’t have rails. The kitchens are really tiny and the neighbors are all so different from one another.

We thought: play ground across the street and food on the avenue? SOLD. Within a few months we made besties with all of our neighbors. We joined the neighborhood farmers market and began a relationship with the entire community. A very open and honest relationship. The kind where we felt comfortable and close enough to have days that suck and be willing to discuss it with everyone that lived in a 2 mile radius.

Fast forward 3+ years later: we received a written notice of eviction from our property management company. We had reported what we assumed was usual DMV mold accumulation and they didn’t like that at all. Suddenly we found ourselves desperately searching for a new home or new kitchen to save the biz and our family.

After a month straight of really intense back and forth, where we learned that she was definitely coming at us in a very personal way, the property manager finally gave up and cancelled the eviction threat. It turned out the landlord herself didn’t mind AT ALL that we were running our cute little business. As long as we had all the proper permits, etc. (which of course we did.)

This was a reminder, however… that living in Del Ray means living in a bubble. Outside of this bubble, cruel and ugly people exist. They only look out for themselves and they’ll take you down in the process. It was a weird and negative way to look at the situation but also a realization that we haven’t come as far as we’ve thought, as a people.

All you can do is try to be better, everyday, everywhere, with everyone.