Entry 10

Holy guacamole. There is no other way for me to even begin... okay, maybe it's best for me to start at the beginning. 

Friday evening, Jon and I went to dinner. He took me to a lovely restaurant and we had good food and great conversation. He even asked me to help him look for a new house. I didn't quite understand why he wanted to buy a new house... his apartment is just beautiful and quite big enough for one person. It's also very close to his office, which is convenient for him. But he said he wanted to purchase some "real estate" and use it as an investment. Well, I don't know much about real estate as an investment, but I was thrilled that he wanted my opinion on such a major purchase in his life. So after a bit of teasing, I said of course I'd be happy to accompany him to view several new home developments in the area. I didn't realize until we got going that when he said real estate, he really really meant real estate. After all, I have a home, I know what a house looks like and I know what an individual needs for comfort. But Jon never does anything halfway and the model homes were were looking at were huge! They were bigger than his mother's house, and seeing her living there alone made me just so sad. Why would Jon want something so big where he would be rattling around all by himself. But it was his decision and so I went along for the ride.

The homes were indeed beautiful. I was hesitant at first to give him my opinion about what I was seeing and the developers we were looking at, but Jon seemed so interested in what I had to say. After just a few minutes, I was quite comfortable telling him what I really thought of the places we were looking at. Some were very nice but I had concerns about where his money would really be going... or whether the builder were be responsive if he had a problem. Even though I had purchased a home, mine was far from new and so I didn't have to think about dealing with a builder or architect or neighborhood developer... but sometimes things are common sense. If the people they hire to sell are unresponsive, there's no reason to believe that the other employees would be any more helpful.

The last model home we went to, I wanted to just move right in! The house was just gorgeous, way bigger than any one person would need, and the master bathroom... my, my, my! I could just see myself in that house, could even see the spot where Molly would sleep at night while Jon and I slept on a big king size bed in the master bedroom. Oh, dear! And as I was looking around, fantasizing what my life could be like, Jon did the unthinkable... he knelt right down and asked me to marry him! For a moment, I thought he was teasing me, then he flashed me that gorgeous ring and I think I almost stopped breathing. For once in my life, I felt like my whole world had come into focus and that everything was going to be wonderful.

Once we had caught our collective breath, we went and immediately looked at the lots available in the neighborhood. Sure, it was a little farther away from work than Jon probably would have wanted, but I think he'll be able to work from home occasionally and that will save him some effort. We found a great corner lot with lots of trees and yard for Molly to run around on, and Jon put down a deposit. We have so much to think about, so many choices to make regarding the house. There was nothing on the lot except the basement and foundation so we get to pick carpets and cabinets and paint and oh so much!

And still, there's so much more that happened once we got back to my house... but I can't even begin to share that yet. I want to hug it close to me for just a while longer. Maybe I'll be able to spill it next time... but needless to say, I am a happy, happy woman!

With great fondness,
Samantha