I wanted to introduce you all to my newest love, the one I’ve got butterflies over, and the one I’m pouring all of my time and energy into. It’s bright and beautiful, and I’ve been dreaming about it for a long, long time…

Introducing, this year’s Valentine…

Just like a new relationship, I’m definitely in the obsessed and in love phase with this new adventure that is home ownership. Even though I’ve lived here for just about six weeks now, I still get a high every time I walk in the door.

I’ve spent years talking and dreaming about buying not just a house, but my dream house, and this is truly it. For one thing, the closet… y’all, my closet fits ever-y-thing. All of my things aren’t scattered throughout the house anymore… they are all actually living in my closet together. Then there’s the patio… Oh man.

Let me tell you something about the screened-in patio on this house. It’s almost resort-style in its level of relaxing, and for me that means so much. I travel a lot for work, but don’t actually get to take a lot of vacation, and when I step out onto my patio, I get the same kind of vacation vibes, but in my own home. It’s nice to have that kind of space to get to experience that feeling, but still have it be your own space.

More than my favorite aspects of the house though, I love that this is a home for me and my littles. The way they talk about the house gives me all the feels because I can just tell that they are super proud of it. And in addition to being special to hear them talk like that, it also gives me the opportunity to talk to them about being grateful. There’s not a lot of ways to explain that to a toddler, but it’s a concept that’s so important to me. I’ve been able to teach them that we say “thank you” because this house is important to us. And, how to care for something that means a lot to you.

Talking about buying a home, as much as I wanted it, used to stress me out. All you hear about from other homeowners are the challenges of owning your own home… it’s easy to forget about the high that comes with buying it and investing in it. I’m thankful to get to experience that for myself. It may seem like finally purchasing the house is “the end” of a journey, like—Yep, I did it. It’s done now. Instead, it feels more like the beginning. It’s a milestone of what I’ve been able to create in tangible form, but there’s still so much more to go.

I hope you enjoy this little mini virtual tour of my new love, my Valentine.