Our Little Home

It was inevitable, we knew that it was coming, and yet I wasn't prepared for the emotions that would hit me like waves thrashing onto the beach. It was time to decide what to do with our little home - we were moving in two short months and we knew that we had to make a decision soon.

Mike bought our home five years ago in early 2010. The market was still down and he was ready to get out of apartment life and begin the journey of home ownership. For three-and-a-half years the house was not only home to Mike but also to some other guys who were Mike's roommates. The home has been a blessing to so many - we estimate that we have hosted more than 200 different people in our home over the past five years.

Mike and I have so many special memories in our home, too. One of our earliest memories from when we first met was at the house. Mike had just bought the house and was almost done with the remodel (he gutted the kitchen and put in a lot of love and TLC to the living/dining room, bathroom, and the rest of the house). Our church's singles group was hosting its only installment of "Spring Lunches" (thanks Burrows!) and Mike had offered to host a group in his home. The concept was that the host would make a main dish and the guests would bring sides, dessert, salads, etc. potluck style. The only little catch was that Mike's new appliances weren't in yet, nor was the majority of his furniture. So, Mike grabbed some fried chicken from Popeye's (ha!) and we all brought sides (I made my potato salad) and we ate at folding tables and chairs. It was a grand time because a home isn't about what's inside but who's inside and this home was full of great people. I honestly don't remember who else was at that lunch (sorry!) but I very clearly remember the lunch.

Fast forward two-and-a-half years and Mike and I have gone on our first date and were starting to hang out more. He was redoing his backyard and making it the masterpiece that it now is (seriously, those of you who've been over know what a labor of love that backyard was) and I offered to help him plant. Oh the things you do when you're infatuated - I had never been much to do any gardening but I suddenly had a new-found interest in gardening, or perhaps a new-found interest in someone who had an interest in gardening. Tomato, tomato. (That doesn't work so well when typing it out, they are pronounced different. You get it, right?) Anyway, I headed over to Mike's house on a cool September (or maybe October?) afternoon and who else was there helping Mike but his mom! Those of you who know my mother-in-law know that she is fabulous so we had a grand time running errands together to get more dirt for the garden. But you can be certain that I wasn't planning to meet Mike's parents that day while wearing ripped jeans and a worn fleece sweatshirt with my hair in a braid and little make-up on. Oh well, it's worked out swimmingly for us :)

On June 6, 2013 Mike and I went out to dinner and when we parked in the back of his house and walked in the back gate the most beautiful scene lay before my eyes. Rose petals and candles lighting the path to roses and champagne on the table with more candles. There Mike and I recalled our relationship thus far then he got down on one knee and asked me if I'd marry him. I said, "Of course!" and we prayed and hugged. We went inside to find our friends waiting to celebrate with us. Our home was so full of joy.

Pictures just don't do this romantic scene justice.

In mid-August of that same year we began re-painting all the walls, buying new furniture and decorations, and preparing the once refined bachelor pad to become our home. A home where we would share our lives together. In late October I moved into our home and Mike moved out as an act of love and sacrifice. When we were married in early January Mike moved back in and at last we had a chance to live together and enjoy our home.

We have filled our home with love and joy and more memories than I could possibly recount. And when we brought Leia into our home she left her mark on the home, too (literally - she chewed up one of the cabinets in the bathroom and ran straight through the screen door). And in this home I studied and prepared for the GMAT, I wrote admissions essays, and I received the happy news that I had been accepted to each school I had applied. It was in this home that God made it abundantly clear to both of us that He had a plan for us and that walking down His path meant leaving our comfortable, happy life in that same sweet, little home. And so, on February 18, 2015 we met with a real estate agent. 

It didn't take long for the decision to be made and the wheels to be set in motion and on February 28 (that was a Saturday) at 5:15 PM we officially listed our home for sale. By 10 AM the next day we had 7 showings scheduled and by the time we met with our Realtor at 8:30 PM Sunday night we had 6 offers on our home, the lowest of which was full asking price. In 24 hours our sweet, little home was sold and ready for it's next journey.

It's been really hard for me to let go of our home. I have moments of strength and moments of complete weakness. I've cried more tears than I care to admit but we've also laughed and dreamed together, too. This wonderful little home was a part of someone else's journey before it came into ours and it will now continue on to bless someone else. I've spent countless hours praying that our home may be a true blessing to the woman who is buying it from us and that she may enjoy this home and use it to bless others.

A home is meant to be shared not to be shown off. Wherever you are, whatever your taste or style, whatever stage of life you're in make your home a space that blesses others. Use your home to host, to love, to serve. Laugh until you cry and cry until you laugh - keep those memories tight. A home, and everything in a home, is temporary but the memories we always take with us. Use your home and all your possessions to bless others. I promise you will be glad that you did. And even though it is never easy to walk away from our home for any reason, it is the slightest bit easier when you can look back and say, "We've been good stewards of this home and it has blessed many people. It's been a good home and people will always remember it for it's open door and hospitality."