Home: A Year Later

In just a few days, we’ll mark the one-year anniversary of moving into our home. Before I delve into anything else, let me just pause and give thanks to Mother Nature and the weather gods for delaying this epic winter by one year for us. On the anniversary of our move into temporary housing, the temperature hovered near zero. And right now? It is snowing yet again. I remember moving into this house wearing a light jacket and sweating.

There are much bigger things to be thankful for, though, and even more signs that someone else was looking out for us as we made this move.

It’s crazy for me to think that just 18 months ago, moving wasn’t even on our radar. We were comfortable in our home, happy with schools, and content to stay where we were indefinitely. I don’t know where the idea came from, to just “look around.” But I have to believe that God saw an opportunity for us, because the timing of everything that followed was just too perfect.

I think a lot about the family that lived in this house before us. I pray often that their move was just as destined, and that it has made them as ridiculously happy as it has made us. There is a vibe in this home, a cozy, happy and content one. I know it sounds crazy, and I swear I’m not this in touch with my feelings on a regular basis, but from the first day we claimed this home as our own I could feel a history of love within the walls.

A year later,  I still have to pinch myself when I turn into the neighborhood, drive down my cul-de-sac, and pull into our drive. This is really where we live. No matter what happens outside of these four walls, when I return home I feel an overwhelming sense of peace.

Does Santa make house calls in your neighborhood?!

I’m quite sure the environment inside our home has just as much to do with what surrounds it outside. And what surrounds it is the most wonderful community I’ve ever been a part of. Whatever the value of this home and property, you would have to add to it tenfold to compensate for the value of our neighbors. Women that were strangers a year ago are now some of my dearest friends. Our kids are best buddies. On any given day, the kids will be outside playing together, or roaming from one house to the next. It is impossible for them to be bored or lonely on this street. I know that should I need anything, whether it be a cup of sugar, someone to get Eli off the bus, or a shoulder to cry on, I only have to walk outside a few steps in any direction.

From time to time, fliers will appear in this neighborhood, asking if any homeowners are interested in selling. A little over a year ago we were that family, hoping someone would say yes. I’m so glad someone did say yes. But if one of those fliers showed up today, I’m not sure any amount of money would convince me it was worth it to leave. This is home, and its value to me? Priceless.