Today, as I pushed Oak’s stroller under the blossoming trees, the wind picked up and the branches shook and petals fell all over me. My hair caught a few. I stood underneath taking it all in. I felt my feet planted to the earth, no worry for anything else in that moment. Oak yelled and picked each petal off of his tiny fingers and toes, and the wind just felt so insanely good. I felt change stirring in and around us.
From one home to the next we go. I have finally accepted that this is in fact our dream home. It had been in my soul for some time, and I lost it along the way this winter. Each year, when the street lights flickered on, and our neighbors forgot to shut their blinds, I would walk slowly past their garden level apartments in the sweetest brownstones. I often thought about how I’d love to live in a full garden-level apartment, in our neighborhood of Clinton Hill. I thought about having coffee out back, how I’d cook up dinner with the yard door cracked open. I thought about the roses we’d grow, maybe a raised bed of vegetables, too. I thought about the wood floors and the scent of pine and lavender floating through the house from our freshly cleaned bathroom. I thought about the parties we’d host and the community we’d continue to build.
And then it happened.
Months after searching, and after laying my head at the door of defeat, we found our home. Sure, it’s a rental, but it’s ours. It screams us; it feels like us! Initially, we marked it off for too small, and my eyes had yet to let me see it’s potential. It didn’t have the high ceilings I thought our new place needed to have, or the third bedroom, nor the dishwasher and walk-in closets. Like many things, it came in a small, different-than-imagined package, but still full of character and charm and New York wonder. It was tucked away, just for us, waiting for our vision and for our family to fill it up.
Until this morning, I had yet to let myself feel too excited about it. But when the petals showered down on me, my throat tightened with possibilities and thankfulness.
Even the tiniest things—like a hot cup of tea or a restful night’s sleep—let us celebrate it. I’m so excited to show you all our new home.
(photography by Juli for LaTonya Yvette and Aurora Botanica)
So happy for you! Last year, we found the perfect place for us and we were willing to forgo having washer/dryer hookups for a small fenced patio for the kids to play. It slipped from up under us though. 🙁 Maybe I should check the listings and daydream for a bit.
I am relating to this.
sounds so lovely! can't wait to see more.
What a beautiful post! Congrats on the new home.
Yes, keep checking, something always happens. Thank you!
So glad!
Thank you so much!!
Thank you, I really can't wait to share more.
xo
I am very happy for you and wish you and your family beautiful and everlasting memories in your new home. Sometimes it takes a while to see the beauty in the wishes our hearts and minds have manifested. But when the fog rises and we see clearly the gift the universe has granted is much more beautiful than we could have ever imagined. It comes with grace and meaning and it is perfect! Enjoy in good health.