About 8 years ago my husband got an opportunity for a job transfer to South Carolina from our home in Ohio. We had three children ages 17 ,15& 14. Now I can tell you there was a lot of family discussions that occurred over several months whether this was a good move at that stage of our family life. I’m not ashamed to say there was some ” Bribery” that took place. After all, these kids were leaving lifelong friends, Their grandparents, their schools, their baseball/basketball/football/soccer teams, their dance company, their fort in the barn, their Youth Group and everything they have ever known as “home”. When I look back I think we were incredibly brave. Even my husband and I walked away from all the comfort of our friends and family and jobs.
What I thought I was learning was this- “Life is an adventure” We can always go home. But what I found out was they were my home. My family.
I have always loved houses and creating that homey feeling. We had already lived in 5 homes in our small town….I guess I was practicing for this big move. I remember seeing a house driving by and saying “I want to live there someday” ….then a few months later that home came on the market and I would miraculously talk my husband into getting on board with the crazy notion we needed to move. But he always did. For whatever reason he would go along with it.
Then there was the time I wanted to build. That seemed like a great idea. I would have all the control of my “dream house” but I found out not the budget. “This lot has 13 acres…wouldn’t it be great to build on top that hill and look at the beautiful farmland around us!” What I didn’t imagine in that dream was a 500 foot driveway that got snowed in and completely drifted over in a snowstorm one February making impossible to get out and go to town. Having to have a good friend come by snowmobile to bring diapers and milk…. All this happened while my husband was in Japan for 6 weeks. My kids were 2,3&5.Hmmm I somehow missed that scenario in my dream. I guess you could say I am so positive I only imagine the great things.
So back to South Carolina….I imaginedbuying the perfect southern charmer. Swimming pool, 4 bedrooms, 2500 sq ft., a beautiful kitchen ( after all I had just remolded my 100 year old farmhouse’s kitchen to perfection) But what I got was a worn out foreclosure, with horrible floors,ugly sponge paint and a trash filled swimming pool not sure it could be saved. A neglected outdated kitchen in a U shape of all things- my worst nightmare….berber carpet and linoleum. UGGG!!! Not at all what I was dreaming about. But on the spread sheet my husband created it was “perfect” ?
Being the trooper that I am I listened to him and the kids campaign for this turd. Looked at the “vision” of what it could be….and bought the “house”. I believed the lie “this is temporary, 2 years tops” …then we would move back to Ohio and pick up our old life. What I found was slowly this house became our home. After lots of painting…new wood floors, tiling the kitchen painting the cabinets, new granite countertops ( after 7 years of begging ladies) new pool liner, new landscape, well of course new vinyl windows, and screen porch. Yes the house transformed s l o w l y but here’s what else evolved. My daughter graduated from High school, moved out on her own, my sons learned to drive , they had their first dates, the boys got their braces off, they all fell in love for the first time, we went on our first cruise together, Music became an creative outlet and my son became incredible at guitar and singer/songwriter , My other son went to college,my husband got promoted –twice and I became a REALTOR . : ) This house became our HOME…the place we created our story.
I now help other people find their happy place when they leave their homes and families and townsto come on their adventure. I feel so passionate about helping people relocate. It brings great joy to see them find their way here. Sometimes I also help them get back home when it doesn’t quite fit. Either way I know I have an important job. I find families’ their new HOME. That is the most incredible job I’ve ever imagined…..I am the first to say Welcome Home.