The house we didn’t buy.
We never bought the house.
We only spent about an hour inside it.
But sometimes I think about it anyway.
It was not perfect and it missed a few things.
I liked the slanted roof. But no sky-lights.
But I loved the gray paint on the cedar siding.
But I didn’t love the dogs barking next door….
cause that would ruin Saturday morning coffee.
But we took our time touring.
We slowed down.
Walked through every room.
Peeked into every corner.
I fantasized about how we could renovate the downstairs for a space for all three girls.
Maybe a hangout room, just for them.
Or how you could close off the sinks in the master, so it wouldn’t look so motel-ish next to the bed.
We left that open house, knowing we would not buy.
But something unexpected happened.
We stopped talking about that house.
And started talking about our house.
Not this one.
The someday one.
The one with too many plants.
Persian and Turkish rugs that probably won’t match.
Books stacked where they don’t belong.
A couch that’s been sat on so much it finally gives in and becomes the most comfortable seat in the world.
String lights.
Obviously.
There will always be string lights.
Coffee mugs that I casually keep leaving on the side tables next to the couch.
Sky-light windows that warm the entire room during the afternoon hours.
It probably won’t be perfect.
The shower tile needs fresh grout.
The floors will creak.
The windows may whistle during a storm.
We’ll complain about all of it…
Right before saying,
“I wouldn’t change a thing.”
We walked out of that open house without expecting to making an offer.
And honestly…
I don’t think we were supposed to.
Because that wasn’t our house.
It was simply the house that showed us we were allowed to dream.
One day we’ll find it.
It will have the perfect roof line.
It may even have those corner nook, bump-out windows.
And the trees on the property will be older than us.
But I have a feeling we’ll recognize it the moment we pull into the driveway.
Not because it’s perfect.
But because one of us will look at the other and quietly say…
“I think this is the one.”
And when we do find it,
I already know my favorite part.
It won’t be the architecture.
It won’t be the plants.
It won’t even be the wool rugs from around the globe.
It will be knowing that every room…
Finally has us in it.
❤️