After all the years of thinking about it… it’s finally done. Our 22-foot above ground pool is installed, filled, and waiting.

And I mean literally waiting — because as of today, it’s full. The water’s in, the sides are standing strong, the sun is gleaming off the surface… and no one’s even been in it yet. Not one toe. But that’s going to change very soon.

This pool has been a long time coming. Not because of permits or complicated construction delays — just life. The days got full. The motivation faded. And year after year, we kept saying, “Maybe next summer.”

But here’s the real story: when we built this house, I made my wife a promise — that we’d have a pool. A space for quiet mornings and loud afternoons. A place to float and breathe and be together. And even though it took longer than I planned, I’m proud to say that promise is finally kept.

We chose something that fits us perfectly: a 22-foot round above ground pool, just the right size for cooling off, relaxing, or doing absolutely nothing at all. We stood out there today, just looking at it, letting the sun bounce off the water, knowing this is ours. And it felt good. Really good.

But we’re only getting started.

Next comes the deck — and not just a little one. We’re planning a half wraparound that connects right to the door from our master bedroom and a big glass sliding door from the main part of the house. That’s right — we’ll be able to walk straight from our room, coffee cup in hand, and step out onto the deck, right into the fresh air and the start of a peaceful morning. No stairs, no shoes, just that perfect backyard moment. It’s something we’ve dreamed about for a long time.

We’re also planning to add an outdoor kitchen near the pool — grill, mini fridge, counter space — so everything we need for summer afternoons and casual dinners is right where the action is. No more running in and out of the house while everyone else is enjoying the water.

And because we know how quickly evening bugs can ruin the fun, we’re building a screened-in area too — a comfortable, covered space for nighttime hangouts without the swatting. Picture soft lighting, comfy chairs, maybe a small speaker for music, and the gentle sound of water in the background. That’s where we’ll end our days.

This whole project means a lot more than just water and wood. It’s about creating space to live. To relax. To fulfill a promise I made to someone who deserved to see it come true.

No one’s jumped in yet. But the towels are ready. The sunscreen is sitting by the back door. And tomorrow? That first splash will mark the beginning of something we’ve waited a long time to enjoy.

The pool is here. The deck is coming. And the door is open.