So… we bought a house

My husband and I did something a little crazy… we bought a house! I know, I know. Most thirty-somethings have houses already. It’s a normal part of the whole “becoming an adult” process that most of us go through. Except, my husband and I continue to prove that we’re anything but normal.

When we met in February 2008 {had our first date on Valentine’s Day, actually}, we were living about an hour apart. I was teaching in Indiana and Ryan worked in clinical research at a hospital in Dayton while also working on his masters degree. By the time we got engaged after Christmas in 2009, the commute to see each other was getting old. Taking turns packing and unpacking for weekends away was a mess and seeing each other only on the weekends wasn’t much fun either. We decided to go on and move into our current townhouse together, splitting the difference between our two separate apartments. This meant we’d each commute to work every day instead of to each other on the weekends. Nice trade off, huh? =)

Around this time, Ryan also decided he wanted to go back to school full-time to become a doctor. Any visions of buying a house after the wedding quickly went out the window. We weren’t sure where we’d end up and there was definitely not enough money for a house on my teacher salary with Ryan going back to school full time. Fortunately our townhouse was brand new construction, in a nice part of time, and had a yard big enough for our dogs to play. 

Ultimately we got married and stayed put here in our townhouse. After many years, Ryan is finally set to graduate medical school and start residency this summer. Combined with my income from Ms. Fultz’s Corner and Jamberry, I’ve been able to save up a significant downpayment while he was still in school. Knowing we’d want to buy a house soon after he receives his permanent placement in March, we started to visit open houses. It became quickly apparent that we didn’t really agree on anything, ha! He wanted a project, I wanted move-in ready. He wanted some space, I preferred a neighborhood. I wanted a beautiful office with French doors, he wanted a man cave.

It was his birthday!

We started thinking we might want to build a house instead and began looking at production builders. And then one afternoon on a total whim, we walked into a model home and fell in love. Seriously. In love. Like the way you’re never supposed to when looking for expensive things like cars and houses or puppies {that’s a different story}. We couldn’t get the model out of our heads. 

The great thing about building a production home is that it isn’t really going anywhere. That builder has a handful of neighborhoods, each with a dozen lots to pick from. The house would be there… later… when we’re ready. Except we only had our eye on one lot. ONE LOT, friends! It’s tucked away, in the corner, by a little pond and green space, backed up by woods. Privacy and a neighborhood at the same time. The highest lot premium too, of course. That’s how my taste always seems to go. But we wanted it. Roll the dice, right?

So… we bought it. haha What?! We aren’t 100% sure we’ll still be here in this area by the time summer rolls around, but we put down earnest money and signed a contingent contract that will let us walk away if we do get relocated in March. I don’t even want to think about losing that deposit, but sometimes you just have a feeling, you know? I can see our little babies in there already. 😉 We’re set to close in May, so it’s going to be a long six months.

Can’t you see little kids playing in this yard??

But for now it’s full steam ahead with options– wood flooring, tile, facades, lighting, paint, bathtubs, oh my! I’m a woman on a mission. I can’t wait to share more with you here, but until then here’s a link to my Making Our House a Home Pinterest board. I’m always looking for more inspiration boards to follow, so I’d love it if you left the link to yours!