Lessons Learned About Building a Home

I grew up with a great example of what a home is supposed to be. Yes there is a difference between a house and a home. A house is the physical structure that people live in. A home is a place where people feel comfortable and memories are made. I was a military brat so we moved a lot growing up, but my mom always made sure that our rooms were put in place before we began school. I remember her spending countless hours throughout the years unpacking to make sure that our home was set up and properly decorated. She understood that our home environment was key to our success in the classroom and in life.  Throughout my childhood I remember our different homes being a place filled with game nights, sleepovers, and talks about life at the dinner table or on the couch.
There have been many times that as young adults my sister Brandi and I have brought home people to spend the weekend in our home. Many of our friends to this day see our parents as their own. I like that our home was always a place where people felt comfortable. If you ever came to our home you would hear things like  If you are thirsty the refrigerator is in the kitchen get what you want. As I am in the process of building my own home I want to always take the principles that I have learned from my parents with me.

  1. Always make people feel comfortable. Offer them a drink and let them know that they can help themselves to anything. I remember my dad going out to get one of my friends Pepsi just because it was her favorite drink, and he wanted to make sure that we had it in the house just for her.
  2. Take people in. There were countless holidays throughout my life that I can remember my parents inviting new people over for dinner. I know that they had a heart for young people in the military that were away from their families. They would take them in and feed them not only physically, but with knowledge through enriching conversations. They always made their home a welcoming place for anyone that stepped through the door. This is something that I have fully embraced. I may have only met you once, and I will most likely invite you over for dinner. (Of course use your best judgment with this. Some strangers are dangerous.)
  3. Show people something different. In a world where a two parent household is not the norm if you have a functioning one show people that it is a possibility by inviting them over. My goal with my husband is to be that example for our future children, and our children’s friends that may come from broken homes that you can have a successful loving marriage and family even if you didn’t experience it yourself. We can change the next generation starting with us setting the example.

Since my parents taught me these principles probably unknowingly I am looking forward to spreading them and sharing them with the next generation.
Some friends hanging out on our deck for a game night! #Summer2009

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