the house we made a home

Our home is nestled in the Adirondacks of Upstate New York, surrounded by mountains and tall pines. We built our house only a couple of years ago, but even in that short amount of time, I have been lucky enough to truly call it my home. A house may be made of wood, nails, and concrete, but a home is made of memories, moments, and people and for me, the memories began long before this house was ever built.

Many of the best memories from my childhood took place within the walls of my old home, where every corner seemed to hold a piece of who I was becoming. From playdates on the playground to building forts deep in the woods, from cannonballing into the pool to making s’mores at the firepit, my home shaped so much of my early life. Those experiences created a sense of belonging that has followed me into the house we live in now. I am grateful that I’ve had not just a place to sleep, but a place filled with joy, comfort, and connection. I know not everyone gets to say that which makes me appreciate it even more.

One of my favorite parts of my current house is our dining table. It’s long enough to fit my entire extended family it's a symbol of what matters most to us. Every holiday, celebration, and casual Sunday dinner ends up happening at that table. It is more than furniture; it’s the heart of our home. From music playing in the background, to laughter echoing off the walls, to competitive card games that go too late into the night, that table holds memories just as much as it holds plates and cups. I love that it is the perfect size to bring everyone together.

Another part of my home that means a lot to me is our backyard. It’s a space that changes with the seasons but never loses its magic. In the winter, we can ski directly into the backyard from the nearby mountain, something that still feels unreal to me. In the summer, friends and family gather to play volleyball in the pool or sit outside enjoying warm evenings. Every season brings new memories, and every memory adds another layer to why I love where I live.

All of these moments small or big remind me how fortunate I am. My house holds so many memories, stories, and so much love that there truly is no other place I would rather call home.

This semester, my perspective on “home” deepened even more. Our class has been raising money through GoFundMe for A Hand Up for Women. We later learned that the donations were going toward paying off the Miracle Ridge Property, which needs to be fully paid before it can be renovated to provide safe housing for women in need. I felt strongly about this mission because everyone deserves a place to call home, somewhere safe, warm, and filled with hope. My team’s efforts this semester are about more than fundraising; th
ey’re about helping other women experience the kind of comfort and belonging that I have been blessed with. If our contributions can help even one woman find that sense of home, then every moment spent fundraising has been worth it.