I totally spaced on the day we closed on the house last week and 17 years ago, September 4, 2001, a week before the shit storm solidifying Bush the Lesser’s reign of error.
As for staying in place, I continue to pinch myself every few weeks to make sure it’s not a dream or nightmare. When I left Austin in late 1997 for Raleigh-Durham, I figured that I was infected by the Maggi Gypsy curse, meaning I would be picking up my crap and moving to another city every few years. I have no idea what would follow Raleigh-Durham if I surrendered myself to it. Thankfully I decided to return to Austin because it was the last place I was genuinely happy and independent. The return was difficult for the first year but within three years I took the plunge to own a house and have never looked back.
I think living in the same city for roughly 24 years, 17 in our house is a good counter to changing high schools every year.