Home sweet home

When I was very small there was an old house that looked so enchanting, I wondered who could possibly live there, what their life was like in such a pretty place. In adulthood, after a string of dwellings we moved from for one reason or another, I came across a listing on craigslist for a cute little duplex I knew I had to live in. I pestered the owners and did everything I could to convince them we were the right tenants out of the dozens applied until they agreed. It was a beautiful 1940s build with hardwood floors, a breakfast nook, and lovely view through a picture window, especially on foggy mornings.

Soon after settling in I learned that my landlords lived in none other than the house I had wondered about so many years before. What are the chances? I was delighted when they asked me to pick up their mail when they went out of town, and water the yard on occasion in the summer. Being in the presence of such a prestigious home I had wondered about years before felt so magical.

We planned on staying in our little duplex for as long as we were allowed, making improvements and treating it as close to a home we owned as we were ever going to get. About 12 years into getting comfortable, our landlord came to us and asked if we'd like to move into their house. They no longer live in it, traveling most of the time, and wanted someone they trust to care for it properly.

To say we were in shock would be an understatement, here we were anticipating the next time we moved would be a downgrade, and instead were presented with my dream home of thirty years on a silver platter. Only ever having stepped in the entryway, we toured the place and detail after detail clicked into place like a matching game inside my head. Features I've always loved but never dreamed of one day having: leaded glass windows, push button light switches, a staircase with a bannister landing, clawfoot tub, covered front porch, William Morris wallpaper.

So here I am, decades later, after wondering who could possibly live in such a beautiful home.

It's me 🖤