Sinks Road

When we were still dating, Casey and I decided to drive cross-country. My best friend needed someone to go with her as she drove her car back to Phoenix. Casey and I figured it was a great opportunity to see the country and see if we could stand being around one another for an extended period of time.

We decided that our first stop would be Lake of the Ozarks, where Casey's grandparents lived. We would spend the day tubing and water skiing at their lake house. Before arriving at the Ozarks, however, we had to make a vital stop in Florrisant (a suburb of St. Louis).

Casey grew up in Florrisant. I was often told about his warm memories growing up in his childhood home on Sinks Road. The road was called, "Sinks Road" because it was paved around giant sink holes that had formed in the ground.

His family lived on a large piece of property and Casey would tell me about how it would take him and his brother 3 days to mow the lawn. Or how he and his brother would build forts in the surrounding woods.

I knew it was important for me to see this place that had held such a special place in his heart....

As we drove along Sinks Road, it was almost as if Casey were a young boy again. He couldn't sit still knowing that it had been at least ten years since he had been there. I was wondering what we would tell the new tenants when they saw us trespassing on their property, but apparently Casey wasn't too concerned.

We rounded the curve and pulled into his driveway. It was surrounded by overgrown weeds. Whoever lived here, obviously wasn't taking good care of the property. His driveway was long and we continued on until we reached the house.

I watched Casey's expression, kind of like when you watch a groom's reaction as the bride walks down the aisle in her wedding dress. Casey looked as if he were going to cry....and these were not tears of joy.

The house was gone.

Nicole and I looked at each other. We didn't know what to do. Then suddenly, I burst out laughing. "Where's your house?" I asked him.

"I don't know." He sounded six years old again. He slowly got out of the car and began walking the property with a confused look on his face. We followed. A few minutes later, Casey began giving us a "tour" of the house.

"This is where the living room was."

"This is where our pool was."

I didn't know what to say. So, I suggested taking a photo of him in front of the house. What else could we do?

Here's that photo....I think he's standing in the kitchen.