Front porch reveries

 Every family has its own idea of a dream home.  Such a dream home usually comprises of one or more 'dream features', for example a huge backyard, an amicable neighborhood etc.

Pavana and I began our house hunt about 7 years ago.  Few years of apartment life and repeated discussions had eventuated a serious pursuit.  Being truly fledgling house hunters, we engaged the first realtor we found and began our journey with rather open minds.  We had no real dream features in mind when we began the process.  However, as we started seeing more homes, quite organically, our requirements began evolving.  By the time we had seen about a half a dozen homes, the requirements had matured into a laundry list of dream features.  

The list seemed fairly simple, at least on the surface.  We had come to realize that we weren't really big on an idyllic milieu or a gargantuan backyard.  Our nascent minds decided instead that we wanted a home with a cute little front porch.  A quaint picket fence along with that would do as well.  So much so that every time we drove past a home with a front porch or a picket fence, we would glance at each other knowingly!  We also decided that we wanted good lighting in the kitchen and a living room overlooked by a second floor landing; both largely Pavana's desires (never got a good reason from her on the latter; perhaps she wanted to keep a watch on the living room from upstairs?).  Both of us definitely wanted at least partial hardwood flooring, a finished basement, and a neighborhood with kids where our kids could play.  Our non-handy temperament also necessitated a home that would need minimal repairs in the next 10 years. 

When we finally saw our current home, we were both convinced.  We swiftly closed on it and moved in soon after.  It has been 6 blissful years now in this home now.  Interestingly, our home does not have many of our dream features; we neither have a front porch nor a landing overlooking the living room!  The kitchen lighting also is quite meager.  Even so, we love our home beyond doubt.  Our young family is growing in this home and we are undeniably creating some beautiful memories here.

Meanwhile, our dream features list is still growing.  Some notable additions are a three-car garage, a walk-out basement, and a second floor laundry.  Like normal couples, Pavana and I have the occasional inconclusive talk about moving.  Ad interim, that front porch remains a daydream...