We had looked at almost 30 houses in person and countless others online. We had been “dating” one particular house online for weeks, but our realtor still had not yet been able to get us an appointment to see it. We had not yet found that special house and it was getting harder to remain optimistic.
Now the morning had come when we would finally get to meet this particular house in person. We were both nervous because we had so much hope in this house, yet we all know that online dating can be deceptive. The chemistry still has to be there when you meet.
We drove around the bend on the cul-de-sac where the house is located, passing horses and farmland, and there it was–lovely, peaceful, and serene, perched on a hillside looking out over 2 1/2 acres of lawn and gardens. A simple little ranch-style house from 1960 that had been wonderfully updated and lovingly cared for. We got out of the car and it was quiet–only the sounds of the breeze and birds singing–music to my heart. We walked in the front door and, because we had been dating online for so long and looking at so many photos, we felt like we knew this place. Indeed, the home was even more beautiful than the photos. We went straight to the living room to see if the wall of windows looking out over the gardens was indeed as wonderful as we had hoped. We were not disappointed.
The next test for me was to walk down to the walk-out lower level of the house to see the room that I anticipated would be my office. I passed through a cozy sitting room with a fireplace into a more open space and suddenly found myself in the big room that will be my office. My heart jumped as I looked out through windows on three sides. All I could see were trees and perennial gardens and the beautiful stone patio. Tears came to my eyes as I knew that not only had we found home, but also that we were returning to living in the country and a peaceful and inspiring place to write and create. Who would have thought that we could move to the Boston area to find our sanctuary home in the country? The sense of relief and excitement for both of us was enormous.
Last week, I wrote about home as partner and wondering what kind of partner our new home would be. What would our new home call forth and inspire within us? Several things come to mind already–serenity, peace, the beauty and joy of living in nature again after living in a city for the last four years. And simplicity also comes to mind. It’s a simpler house than we have been living in, and that feels great. I have no doubt that this property will become a wonderful transformation partner as well as a nurturing environment.
The next few weeks will be filled with packing, moving, and beginning to get settled in our new home and getting to know our new house partner. I will probably not be blogging again until mid-July. But then I will return. Thanks for sharing this journey with me. I look forward to the new writing projects and work that will be inspired by our new home. And I look forward to summer evenings on the deck looking at the stars.