Creeeeek. We’ve all heard it, the perfectly imperfect house sound that cannot be fixed despite our best efforts. We hear it most loudly our first nights in a new home, but over time, the noise becomes an audible welcome home.

For me, the culprit of this misdemeanor is our lovely front porch, the third step to be precise.

*An afternoon sip what could be better than a fresh Iced Tea*

*Navy and White always a classic. Indoor Outdoor Rug design*

Upon a glance, the white-washed porch might almost seem idyllic. After all, the front porch is the face of a happy American household where once can imagine growing old on. (To reference the overused, and valid cliché of the elderly couples drinking sweet tea in rocking chairs.)

However, these steps like any face well studied, has a few imperfections. For one, the paint is slowly beginning to peel off the edges, creating some wrinkles here and there, which, if according to plan, will be remedied in the autumn. But for now, these steps remain untouched until the last summer firefly can be spotted.

*Smitten Kitchen : Always cooking up something terrific*

At first, like any house sound, this creek on the third step haunted me. It didn't matter how I was walking, treading heavily or lightly, the sound would mock me. The porch didn’t care if I had a bad day and had groceries in hand, the same bothersome noise would consistently emit rain or shine

Yes, if you’re wondering I did call whoever you call to remedy these problems and each time it became “fixed” the exact noise would remain—after attempting to solve the problem myself, naturally.

So, like it or not, I had to deal with the “creeeeeek” each time I came to and from the house.

*Bunny Williams designs with Century Furniture*

Over the seasons, I became used to the noise. The porch no longer irked me with its obnoxious sound. You might even say I was immune to it.

*Mason Jars & Jute, a great DIY project*

Yet, the fact remains that several school plays, honor roll ceremonies, and graduations later, I began to enjoy its welcome home.

Today, you can find me with a smile on my face on the front porch any given day of the week. I hope you find yourself just as lucky as I when coming across a house sound—

You’ll never know how blessed you are to uncover your house’s “welcome home.”

Front Porch

Michael Ryan Design