Surprise!

Finally getting around to sharing one of my favorite nights!

I always read the last page of the book first, find the hidden Christmas presents, and guess the end to so many TV shows.  But, they did it.  I WAS COMPLETELY SURPRISED!

The path to homeownership was a mix of so many things: divine purpose, incredible people, shock, heartbreak, and everything in between.  It’s another major life moment in which I said, “I never pictured it this way.”

While I am sure more details on that story will be told, this night was the perfect celebration of all this home means to me: community.

I struggled to find “my people” for a long time, but as I started to see myself in the light of who God created me to be, I gravitated towards those people who celebrate exactly who I am.  By the end of college and after moving back to Jacksonville, I developed a sense of community in which I thrive. And wow, they showed up majorly!

Sunday August 23, 2020

I officially signed the papers on Monday afternoon, but I spent Sunday doing what I thought was all MY plan for a fun day!  Mary Claire, Kelsey, Hannah, and I dressed up {which Hannah kept INSISTING ON} for the day, which I am always down for.  We got pedicures, ate barbecue, and headed off to the Avenues mall (for the first time since probably middle school) for Kelsey and I to get our ears pierced!  After talking about it for 5+ months, we planned on this being the day, which was an interesting experience to say the least.  After shopping around, we decided to spend the afternoon on the rooftop at Black Sheep to enjoy my VERY favorite frozen margarita.  We gabbed, laughed, and made plans to purchase new jewelry, but there was one moment when I could tell Kelsey was keeping something from me on her phone!  Because I hate feeling left out, I begged to know, but Mary Claire quickly came to her defense, telling me to leave her alone! {I should have known… also, sorry can’t help myself, Kels!}

We decided to head home to eat Pizza Hut and leftover cake {sounds like a pretty perfect ending to me?!}, but little did I know what was waiting for me.  They insisted we walk through the back door, and as I forgot 3 different items in the car {#always}, I could tell they were getting impatient.  As I walked up the driveway, I noticed a few extra lights on the trees, but it didn’t hit me until I turned the corner.

THERE THEY WERE! MY PEOPLE!  With champagne, twinkly lights, and all dressed up for a dinner in the backyard!

My jaw was unhinged, and I was COMPLETELY surprised!  I stared wide-eyed and cried {yes, they had bets on this}, and I tried to take it all in.

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Casey planned an evening filled with my favorite things.  The backyard was beautiful- a stunning table-scape, flowers, lights, and a fresh pour of champagne.  Dinner was cooking inside, and photographs were being shot.  It was everything I could have asked for to celebrate such a big milestone.

Throughout the evening, I looked around, stopped, and took it in.  I witnessed everything this house has been to me over the last two+ impossible years.  Returning home to my safe haven in San Marco was my escape from long nights in the ER.  It was the place we hosted dance parties in the kitchen until 3 in the morning.  It was the place where my friends came together around the fire pit {from different places and stages} to laugh, cry, or read the Word.  It’s the place where the deepest friendships formed. It’s the place that gave me such a sense of belonging- the kind of belonging I miss so deeply with my mom.

Seeing Kelsey, Mary Claire, and Hannah singing at the top of their lungs, sitting with Casey talking on the stoop, watching Paige and Bryce attending to the different preparations in the kitchen, hearing laughter from Luke and Evan, chatting with Hayley and Ryan about the process, pouring more wine with Devin as he captures every moment.

I watched it all in one night, and I cried.

Because it’s mine.  And yet, it’s ours. It’s the place where we gather, giggle, grub, and grow. And these nights and moments will continue.  In years of losses and uncertainty, ownership of this home comforts me in a way I can’t put into words.  It’s more than an address.  It’s more than the four walls.  It’s home.  I couldn’t be more grateful.

Casey– thank you for planning such an incredible evening.  You see a vision and make it happen, and this was more than I could have asked for!  You exhausted yourself, but your hard work was evident in every detail.

Kels, MC, + Hannah– Lunch Club! Thank y’all for giving me SUCH a fun day. I didn’t suspect a thing, because I always laugh + enjoy every single activity we do together. Thank you for telling me to get dressed up (even if my hair didn’t cooperate!), and for encouraging me to have the most fun.

To my people– thank you isn’t enough.  From making the food, preparing the house, trimming the trees, bringing supplies, taking pictures, keeping the secret, getting the cookie cake, and E V E R Y T H I N G in between, you showed up for me big time and on a day I really needed it.  I love each of you dearly.

Here’s to many more celebrations!

xox

ellie