In March of 2020, we abruptly left our residence in New York Metropolis for 3 months to flee to Lengthy Island in hopes of dodging the unsure beginnings of the Covid pandemic. We eagerly sought to tuck ourselves in a secure haven away from the anticipated looming risks of the pandemic outbreak. After this escape to the burbs, we returned residence for 2 weeks earlier than packing our luggage as soon as once more to embark on a highway journey that unexpectedly carried us for ten wonderful months as we explored the USA. After this unforgettable expertise, we returned to our New York Metropolis condominium for 3 months earlier than hitting the highway as soon as extra for 3 extra weeks as we made our solution to California, our new residence state. For our first 4 months in San Diego, we stayed in a brief rental. Final week, we moved once more. This time, I anticipate planting ourselves for fairly some time.
After I look again at how a lot we bounced round for the previous twenty-one months I’m left in disbelief by how typically we moved, what number of beds we slept in, what number of houses we known as residence, and what number of occasions we packed and unpacked our suitcases. For nearly two years we lived free-spirited lives, ignoring all social constructs and defying the norms. Nonetheless, regardless of the place we slept, we all the time felt at residence. Collectively we redefined how “residence” is outlined by most. For us, we discovered, that house is wherever we had been collectively.
Slowly actuality started to trickle in. Faculties resumed regular operations. Companies had been starting to function as typical. As dad and mom, we started to consider that it was time to offer our youngsters stability. However what’s stability? I wrestle with this idea. I proceed to vacillate between desirous to plant our roots with a view to resume a “regular” life once more whereas craving to proceed dwelling an unscripted life with simply my husband and kids. When it was simply the 5 of us, I felt extra secure than ever. Nonetheless, finally, we succumbed to normalcy and right here we’re, virtually two years later, establishing one central place to name residence.
I miss our days on the highway; 5 pioneers discovering new territories collectively as we saught every day adventures. We had no distractions however the calls of nature which mesmerized us frequently. We had time. A lot time. I’ve by no means felt so liberated. We had been free to wander as we happy with no main restrictions as a result of the world was too busy attempting to determine itself out. I by no means discovered myself lacking our every day routine and even our NYC condominium that was our residence for eleven years. As a substitute, I rapidly fell into the groove of getting zero attachments. I did not want closets full of garments, or dozens of sneakers, or a home filled with stuff. All that mattered throughout our escapades on the highway was conserving our youngsters secure, wholesome, and making the perfect of a grim international scenario. We had been in a position to grasp this aim out of 1 suitcase for months at a time.
Right here we’re virtually two years later in a brand new metropolis, throughout the nation, and in a brand new everlasting residence. Do not get me mistaken, I really like our new residence. I spent the final three months utterly immersed in constructing this residence in order that we might make new reminiscences in it. However with this residence comes attachments and tasks that I actually might do with out. I discover myself staring into my new walk-in closet, questioning how I went from being completely content material dwelling out of a suitcase to designing a spacious closet that may maintain extra garments than I will ever want. Our new residence is gorgeous. Each nook has been touched by my inventive enter to make it ours. I’m grateful to dwell on this residence. Truthfully although, regardless of all these realizations, I discover myself conflicted. Being and not using a everlasting residence for 2 years proved to be extra empowering and fulfilling than any plot of land you’ll be able to dangle earlier than me. I miss the highway. I miss breaking boundaries and dwelling an unordinary life. How we went from dwelling like gypsies (okay, possibly extra like glam gypsies) to dwelling just like the Joneses I have not fairly found out.
The previous three months have been spent with laser precision centered solely on getting this home prepared for our youngsters. Nature’s name has been a faint whisper, one I’ve repeatedly ignored. Time slipped by my grasp over these previous few months with days melting into nights. I take pleasure in what I’ve achieved in such a brief time period. Many have instructed me it was an not possible endeavor. Regardless of all of the accolades and delightful design of our new abode, I sorely miss our days floating round, when every day was a brand new journey, a brand new expertise, a brand new starting. It has been one week since we moved into our new, everlasting residence. I’m thrilled to see the outcomes of all our laborious work and executed imaginative and prescient slowly unfold. I have to be clear although – I typically see our automotive parked within the driveway and fantasize about throwing our suitcases within the trunk, filling up the tank, and simply driving for numerous miles.
House is the place you might be, in your coronary heart and thoughts. You might be anyplace and in every single place and be residence. I’m having a tough time shifting from the evolution of residence being in every single place to being confined to a house inside these partitions now we have constructed. One thing about proudly owning a house makes me really feel atypical once more. That is a phrase I do not like being related to. So, if I’m not on the highway, I suppose my subsequent step is to dwell an unordinary life throughout the residence we constructed. That is a complete different weblog put up.
Our youngsters have been exceptionally resilient. They love the brand new house we created but have expressed that it would not really feel like residence to date since now we have not been in it lengthy sufficient. So is “residence” outlined by models of time? To me, house is anyplace so long as I’m with them. To them, house is anyplace that you simply settle in for an extended time period. I’m wondering, years from now, how they are going to mirror again on their experiences for the previous two years. Do they secretly miss life on the highway as a lot as I do? Or do they crave consolation in long-term housing? So far, they’ve solely expressed constructive suggestions on the aesthetics of our new home. Do they wish to plant themselves in a single house once more for an extended time period? I’ve requested them, they appear to be as confused as I’m.
Two years is a very long time, however everyone knows how rapidly it passes. Twenty-one months of bed-hopping all through cities has develop into a blur in my thoughts however the euphoric feeling of normal explorations and every day encounters with the unknown stay crystal clear. We shared unforgettable experiences that may by no means be relived. Is it actually higher to relaxation our heads on one pillow for years?
My sincere response isn’t any. And sure. When you’ve kids of their teenagers, who’re altering at lightning velocity tempo and crave social interactions, there’s a must hunker down and allow them to expertise relationships, challenges, and routine. However, in case you have toddlers or elementary school-aged kids, or no kids, I say, pack your automotive and drive for as far and lengthy as you’ll be able to till life pulls you again to your driveway.
For me, it is a no-brainer; when our youngsters are off to school, my husband and I’ll return to a lifetime of dwelling like Airbnb groupies, leaping from home to accommodate and metropolis to metropolis. The calling is just too laborious to disregard. Actually, I hear its calls every single day as I sit again trying to admire our new residence. For now, I will keep put for my kids and give attention to making a heat, loving setting for them on this one house. Nonetheless, when they’re off to their grownup lives, I will be off to Route 66 with the wind in my hair, music blaring, with no plan, and largely, no attachments. But, even then, I will be residence.
