Emin and I make rather impulsive, rash decisions – especially when it comes to BIG life things. It took us one weekend to decide we were moving to Pasadena, it took us one morning to decide to adopt Oliver, all of our travels are booked on a whim. We just get an idea in our heads and act on it…no strategic planning, no thinking and contemplating. We just do it.

A few months ago our lease was coming to an end at our Pasadena apartment and we were discussing our next steps. Do we extend our lease? Or, do we move into another apartment in Pasadena? Those were our two options. We weren’t considering buying a home. For me, the thought of buying a house gave me anxiety. Owning a house is SO adult, it’s such a BIG decision and it is so permanent. I couldn’t even consider it…

Till one morning.

I went to visit my parents as I do multiple times a week. They still live in the house I grew up in. My mom casually (but with all the intention in the world) showed me a flyer to a home that was on the market on their street. I’m talking a hop, skip and jump away. I looked at the flyer and something subconsciously went off in my head. I jokingly (but not jokingly) texted Emin a photo of the flyer and said “I found our home”. Emin being a numbers-fact based guy responded immediately with the down payment amount, closing costs and said “I was crazy but yeah let’s take a look at it”.

That day was October 16…and the rest is history. They say to not get attached but that was just not possible for me. I had already pictured living in the house with Emin, Ollie and our future babies. I had already designed and planned the interior in my head. I had pictured walking to and from my parents house every day. It just had to be ours.

The next few months were tough, really really tough. Placing an offer, getting it accepted and then the home loan process. Let me just tell you be fully prepared and organized financially before the buying process!

For us, that was obviously not the case because we weren’t even thinking of buying. This house fell into our path and we just grabbed it. I truly believe it was meant to be our home and I’m so happy we fought for it!

I never thought I would start a new life chapter on the street I grew up in. I guess things really do come full circle.

The house needs a facelift and we’re super excited to start the home renovation process! I will be taking you guys along for the ride, sharing everything from beginning to end. I hope your as excited for this journey as we are.