Relationship Status

(The pictures have nothing to do with this post, but since I haven't uploaded our house pics, you get to see some of my awesome kids enjoying the summer :) 

So we're dating again...

 At least it feels like it, this whole house buying/building thing.  

 First you realize you're old enough for a serious relationship (home ownership) and start kinda looking around. There may not be a lot of good options in your desired area that fit your criteria for relationship material so you expand your search location. 

 You not only look at the options you see on a daily basis, you jump online to expand your dating search and even sign with a professional matchmaker (realtor) to find the perfect fit. 

 Finally you find something you're attracted to and try your opening line of "hi". But just like people, houses can look really good in pictures or on the outside and be a mess to run from once they open their mouth (door.)

 You might go through a slew of bad first impressions, a few "just for fun relationships" (open houses), and maybe even infatuations (not in the budget). 

 You may even begin your first real relationship. At first you both flirt, "I like your hardwood floors", "Aw, thanks, they should rewrite the alphabet, because I could totally see "u" and "i" together." "Oh stop it, but your open concept, just wow, kind of makes my heart beat faster!"

 And then you're head over heels, you go on first and second dates, you take a ton of pictures, you write your name down with his last name (potential new address.) You picture your life together. But sometimes first loves don't last. And horrible break ups can happen (another buyer, better offer, taken off market), and you're left heartbroken, wondering if you'll ever find love. 

 And then one day, when you least expect it, you find "the one". It's like you both know right away and the peace and excitement are indescribable. You flirt, date, really get to know each other, long talks (appointments to see the house or going to the model home over and over.) You get engaged (sign to start building) and plan the wedding (the house.)

 There's a thousand details. What venue (lot or location), what style dress (exterior options), do you want formal or casual, large or small, fish or chicken (Ok, houses don't eat, but some of the new build choices get ridiculous.)

 And then all the decisions are made, the date is set, the details are planned and the waiting begins. The days tick by as the details come together. Some weeks fly and others drag as you countdown to the big day! It gets harder to say goodbye each time you're together and you can't wait until there are no more goodbyes. 

And that's where we are now. We're so close we can see the "big day" on our horizon, but we're already picturing ourselves there so much it gets harder and harder every time we leave our new house. It hardly matters that there's no grass or floors or driveway or electricity we just want to be there. And suddenly the wedding ceremony details don't even matter because you just want to be married. It's a great feeling of anticipation, a little unknown, and a lot of joy. We're on the less than 30 days mark! It's almost time to say "I do!" (aka, close.) ;)