In our new Neighbourly feature, we’re profiling neighbours in Halton Hills whose relationships have evolved into meaningful friendships
Sandy Mucci can’t imagine ever moving from her quiet street in Georgetown – not unless she can bring her next-door neighbour with her.
“Sandra is like a sister to me. She knows everything about me that my sisters know,” she said. “You don’t live next door to somebody for 16 years and not know each other inside out.”
But many people do the opposite, going years without even knowing their neighbour’s name.
Dr. Marissa King, professor of organizational behavior at Yale School of Management and author of Social Chemistry: Decoding the Patterns of Human Behaviour, said, “For about a third of people the neighbour relationship is very strong and for about a third of people it’s absent altogether.”
Neighbour relationships represent a part of our society and have an impact on how satisfied we are living somewhere.
For Mucci, this means she isn’t going to move anywhere anytime soon.
Sandra Gubert isn’t as comfortable talking about her life publicly. She said Mucci is the friendlier one, and if it hadn’t been for her, they probably would still be ‘hi and bye’ neighbours.
“I’m not very social,” Gubert said. “I’m sure the boys first started talking and then Sandy and I met.”
Both first owners of their Georgetown South homes, Mucci remembers the first time she saw the Guberts.
“It’s funny because Steve and Sandra were at the presentation centre when we were there putting a deposit on our house. We were supposed to be closer to Barber Drive, but Pino asked how much for a bigger house,” she recalled.
“Then they showed us the one we now live in and the salesperson pointed at Sandra and Steve saying, ‘That couple will be your neighbours.' I remember thinking that they’re a stunning couple. We didn’t talk to them that day. They probably thought we were snobs."
Years later, finally in their newly-built home, it was Mucci’s dad who would start a conversation with the neighbours. He was over helping the young couple with some renovations. Next door, Steve was in his garage and Sandy’s dad asked him to borrow some tools.
“I remember thinking my dad was so embarrassing,” Mucci said. “I remember her (Sandra) being pregnant and I said, ‘Hi, how are you?’ It was slow at first, and then once she had the baby and I had mine the friendship picked up.”
As their families grew, so did their relationship. They would invite each other to the kids' birthdays and religious celebrations.
“Being married can be difficult, and I need a sounding board,” said Mucci. “We will text each other when we need to vent. We are outside on the porch in a heartbeat in our slippers as we commiserate, take a breather, and talk until we feel better.”
“When there have been deaths in the family, we take care of each other's kids. Even just the offer and to know you have that safe place to drop off your kids if necessary is comforting. The fire plan at our house is go next door,” Mucci said. “It’s kind of sad for people who don’t have that.”
Gubert is also thankful for how well she and her husband get along with the Muccis.
“I think we are close friends. We can call on each other at any time. There is an easiness about our friendship.”
When asked about experiences that stand out over the years, Gubert said, “Raising our boys together.” The Guberts have two teenage sons, while the Muccis have three.
Before purchasing their home, the Muccis lost out on two houses - one in Brampton, the other in Caledon. While frustrated at the time, Mucci said they’re glad they ended up in Georgetown.
“It’s very family-centred. If you’re looking for a family-friendly environment, this is the place,” Mucci said.
Gubert, who moved from Toronto, loves the cozy, small-town feel of Georgetown.
“I feel like I’m close enough to the city, but feel far away enough too.”