3,061 < 800

Anyone that knows me knows that I’m horrible at math. But let me assure you that the title of this blog is not only intentional, but also completely correct. Ok, not mathematically, but in theory. Allow me to explain…

I just recently moved out of a house that is over 3,000 square feet. I lived there for 2 ½ years with five other girls. Read that again if you need to…yes, there were SIX of us in that house. It was fun at times, but the longer I lived there the less the house felt like a home to me. It even began to feel suffocating. There were many nights, many Saturday mornings, many ways physically, relationally and metaphorically that I felt confined to my bedroom. There were several times I pulled in the driveway and pulled right back out. There were many times I’d drive by and keep on driving. No one should have to live like that.

So I bought my own place. After much delay and many snags along the way, I now call 800 square feet mine. It’s not much, but it’s all mine. I don’t have to share it with anyone else…unless I want to. It’s surprising to me how roomy these 800 square feet feel, especially in comparison to my previous 3,000+ square feet. I feel as though I can stretch out a little farther. I can breathe a little easier. I can be loud or I can be quiet. I can stay out all night or spend the night in. I feel like I can do more in these 800 square feet than I could in those 3,061 square feet. The difference – it feels like home.

Thank you, Hogan, for being exactly what I needed 2 ½ years ago. Thank you, brothel, for all the parties and all the fun. Thank you for all you taught me. Thank you for breaking me. Thank you for making me stronger. Thank you for finally being part of my past.

There’s no place like home.