She's Got What I Want

I was having a typical marathon phone session with one of my best girlfriends, Lorelei, not too long ago.

"So what else is going on?" I asked.

She hemmed and hawed.  "No, nothing, really..." She trailed off in the way that I knew immediately something else was definitely going on.

"What?" I pressed.

It turns out she had very good news that she and her boyfriend put an offer in on a house and were accepted!  This would be the first home purchase for both of them.  She was super excited.

"Why didn't you want to tell me?" I asked, after congratulating her.

Basically, my friend didn't know how to tell me she was buying a house because of my situation.  Like saying, "Guess what! I'm getting married!" when your friend has just been dumped.  She didn't want me to feel bad.  She had every intention of telling me, but at the time I was in particularly sad slump.

This, of course, made me feel bad.  I would never want my friend to diminish her happiness because of me, and I told her so.  "From now on," I lectured lovingly, "I want to hear everything.  I will live vicariously through you!"  She's kept up her end faithfully and so have I.  I can't wait for her to own her own home - she lives in San Diego and I'm going to see this new place as soon as I can!

If you couldn't tell already, when I do watch TV, I spend a lot of time watching those home-buying shows on cable.  I love looking at houses.  Maybe it's a remnant of my childhood.  When I was eight, my parents decided to move to a new area.  We looked at bright, spacious model homes and old, dark homes with suits of armor in the den (no kidding).  We saw big yards with willow trees in the country and small yards with young trees in subdivisions.  Eventually they chose to buy a plot of land and build their own home.  It was the perfect place in which to grow up.

My mom and I like to go on house tours in historic neighborhoods.  We're actually going to one in a few weeks.  I can't get enough.  I drive around and look at houses; I have since I've had my license.  To this day, whenever I go to someone's home for the first time, I check out the architecture, layout, yard, and decor.  I focus on the features that appeal to me.  You will hear me at a dinner party complimenting the hosts on some painting or their granite countertops or the original crown molding.  I'm all about it.

So I was thrilled to accompany my sister-in-law last weekend on her house-shopping adventure.  We viewed the three townhouses that were her major contenders.  Each had its own excellent features.
 

I want an open-concept kitchen so I can cook and hang out.



This house got a lot of light from all the windows.



This neighborhood had so much attractive green space.



I thought this private patio would be perfect for drinking wine or tea and reading!

I felt honored that she asked me to go along.  Though the decision is ultimately up to her, she made me feel like my opinion mattered.  I really enjoyed the day.  At one point, the real estate agent said I should think about getting into the field.  I've thought about it, believe me!

 

Did I spend the day secretly moping because I live with my in-laws, months, if not years (dear God) away from owning my own home?  Nope.  Did I pretend  a little that I was the one buying a house?  You betcha!

 

You know why I'm so glad for my friend Lorelei and my sister-in-law?  Right now it's their turn to celebrate.  Someday it will be my turn.  Someday Bruce and I will be the ones looking, putting in an offer, and clinking champagne flutes when we get our keys.  Our home is out there.

 

And then everyone can be glad for us.