Toledo, Washington sits in a valley between the mountains of western Washington, also known as the “Gateway to Mt. St. Helens”. This quaint little town provided me with more than just a place to grow up, it provided the ultimate home.

Imagine, five acres, two of them a lush green yard, and the other three a field of grass filled with evergreens. In the middle of the yard lies a quaint green home, with black trim. Three large windows in the front, and trees lining the driveway. A small garden in the front yard, and a clothes line in the back completes the idea of just how adorable the house that built me was.

In the summers, my brother and I would spend every day outside playing survivor and spies in our field. As we grew up our parents bought us quads, and dirt bikes and we spent our free time racing one another around the track we had created. Many nights were spent around campfires in our backyard roasting marshmallows, and hot dogs with our parents. My dad even built a huge movie screen by the fire pit so that we could have friends over for movie nights outside.

As a young angsty teen, I found myself wanting to leave this place, not realizing at the time that it was actually my place of refuge. I started a habit around the age of 13 that to this day I cannot break. Whenever I am having a hard time I take a walk around our small piece of property at sunset. The sun setting through the field hits every single tree in a way that I can only explain as completely heart warming. The sun wraps it’s rays of warmth around every evergreen and the sky turns the most beautiful pastel colors. The crickets start making their music, accompanied by the frogs, and the bats start to come out.

I sit in the grass watching it all with my dog Max beside me, and at this moment in time nothing can explain the utter peace I feel. I must have done this hundreds of times growing up, and to this day whenever I am having a difficult time all I crave is a Toledo sunset, the company of my dog, and the sound of the crickets.

After many years of joyous life, my dog Max was laid to rest. His remains are buried in the same field that brought endless joy and memories to my childhood.

At the age of 20 I transferred to Eastern Washington University, leaving behind that green house, large yard, and field of memories. I can not even put into words how much I miss home, or how the idea of my parents wanting to get rid of this piece of property brings me to tears. But I can say that I am so proud of the childhood I was given among the wildflowers, in a field of grass in the quaint, and small town of Toledo, Washington.