The “light” only went out for 24 hours, but unfortunately we learned that you can do a lot in 24 hours.

That was about 4 months ago. It all went down on Derry Street in the pristine kitchen of an old victorian with lots of square footage and an asking price to match. Immediately, we fell in love. I guess you can say it was “love at first sight,” but do those tropes ever really work out in the end?

The short answer: no.

After a few hours roaming the premises, peeking into each nook and cranny, we knew an offer had to be made. Over Five Guys on a Thursday night at 7 p.m. with an hour and a half left to drive before sweet, sweet sleep, we devised our offer. That next morning would start the spiral only those perusing properties would know - the high of putting in writing the hundreds of thousands you think you can afford and the almost instantaneous low when you accurately do the math to determine that a teacher’s salary and an analyst’s salary may not cut it.

But, I guess that minor mishap doesn’t matter anymore because who needs all that square footage when a cozy little home is calling your name 35 minutes from the city and a little closer to work?

On February 5th, my future husband and I closed on our very first home. Quaint yet full of immense potential, I’m ecstatic at the thought of finding the perfect decor, paint colors, and unique furniture to match our tastes. Even now as we paint and peel 40-year-old wallpaper, the gratitude I have for this opportunity exceeds all bounds.

I spend every Saturday night, well, sleeping after an entire day’s work. I’m usually asleep before 9 anyway, but all the work we’re putting in gives me more of a reason to just rest. Between house adventures and marriage classes and finalizing as many wedding details as we can while still working full time, I’ve realized my lack of a drive to write. It’s not that I haven’t amassed an arsenal of stories; I’m just kind of spent.

I thought my first year teaching was a whirlwind like no other, but I guess I should expect that the more years I have under my belt means more insanities to conquer. I’ve felt incredibly blessed this year with the opportunities placed before me, but I sometimes ponder what my next steps will be. House, finishing my second year teaching, and wedding are enough for now, but I always have my sights set on something bigger, something greater, something truly and utterly my calling. When the moment’s right it’ll face the public eye, but for now, I’ll keep it tucked away.

Here’s to more weekends knee-deep in “Greek Villa” and weekdays planning, grading, and now volunteer coaching. As always, my “coffee snob” tendencies - as Mr. Know-it-All and the rest of my family have dubbed them - get me through each and every obstacle. Mr. Know-it-All and Fred help, as well with the ever truthful happenings of The Truth About Coffee. Until next time ...