An Ode to our little Abode...

I don't have a home that my family has owned for decades. My parents moved (and continue to move) a lot. My bedroom in their home is a multipurpose guest room in which I happened to be the longest term visitor to date. I've never been attached to a house or a bedroom set or any of those things common to people who go home to the same "Mom and Dad's house" they've been visiting since Kindergarten.

Because of this difficulty I've experienced hitting my family's "moving target," I have never found myself emotionally attached to any particular domicile. Instead, I've developed a few attachments to those things that make wherever my head is currently resting feel like my refuge from the world. My books and pictures are the biggest providers of the "homey" feel I take with me wherever I go. Four walls, however, have never tugged at my heart strings.

Well, never until 2600 Oberlin Rd.

Nathaniel and I have lived in less than 800 square feet since returning from the Dominican Republic where we spent our honeymoon. We chose not to spend much money or many of our resources on furnishings we would have to get rid of when we moved back north for school and our general life goal fulfillment. However, I loved the 1938 2-bedroom-1-bathroom-little-storage-tiny-kitchen-and-dining-room home. The nine months we spent there were blissful.

It was our first marital home. It was where Nathaniel and I were allowed to be alone without prying eyes after our marriage. We interacted with neighbors who knew us as a newlywed couple with the cute dog in the shire. We made good friends there (hi, Erin!) and walked to the near downtown areas for entertainment. I loved coming home each day from work. I loved cooking dinner there. I loved cuddling on the uncomfortable loveseat with Nathaniel as we strained our eyes trying to watch videos on the TV that was far across the living room and tuned using old-fashioned bunny ears with foil accessories.

Buying our new home was an incredibly logical and good decision for us. We need the space, the investment, and the stability. I am happy to bring our little boy home to this address. However, leaving the four walls of apartment T-3 was a bittersweet moment for me. Walking the empty hardwood rooms as I cleaned and made it ready to return to the management made me more sentimental for a home than I've ever been for any other.

Even moving forward toward good things is a painful process at times. I am thankful for our first memories being made in a home for which I can feel a true and abiding affection.

Thank you, 2600 Oberlin Road.