For the past four years I have been blessed with a group of boys inhabiting my home, particularly my basement. I affectionately call them “the basement boys”.

I have watched as they have grown from young boys into men. Their peach fuzz has turned to full beards and their voices have gone from squeaky to deep and it seemed like it happened overnight. I feel very blessed to be the house they come to for food and fun.

Will, Nick, JJ, Isaac, Brendan, Brandt, and Zach along with countless others have spent countless hours playing video games, playing pool, watching movies and sports and eating me out of house and home.

Progression from being dropped off by their parents to driving cars makes my house appear to be hosting a perpetual party.  Cars line the street and some have the telltale dents of first time drivers.

The only way I know how many boys have slept over is to count shoes by the back door.  On any given summer night the number may vary. They show up at midnight after dates and long after I have fallen asleep. I have even had them sleep here when Michael was away at basketball camp.

The amount of pizzas, Gatorade and candy they have consumed is staggering and each has their own Dunkin Donuts order when they sleep over.  JJ requires a specific coffee order but he’s worth the trouble.  He and I have bonded as the only caffeine addicts of the group.

Every now and then I get a text that starts out “Sorry Mrs. Eller” which is usually followed by the” I threw something and now something of yours is broken “confession.  It’s never been anything major, never anything irreplaceable and never anything that meant more to me than having them around.

As a group they play just about every sport you can imagine, their G.P.A.s are impressive and they are all handsome, polite and kind.  If I could have hand picked boys to be a part of my son’s life I couldn’t have chosen a better bunch.

But this is my last year to have my “basement boys”. They are all seniors and next year at this time they will be heading off in many different directions to start their lives as college men.

My heart is breaking a little every day and I know next fall I will be one hot mess when the house is quiet. What will I do without the chaos and constant noise? How will the pizza places keep profits up? How long will it take me to stop buying drinks and chips in bulk?

I hope one day they will realize how much they have meant to me.  I love these boys and can’t wait to see the directions their lives take. I know they are destined for amazing adventures and unlimited successes. No matter how old they get they will always be my  “basement boys” and they will always be welcome in my home.