From Riptide to Our First Home
Yesterday, after four months of waiting, we finally closed on our first house.
It still doesn’t feel real, driving straight to Lowe’s, picking out our very first can of paint as homeowners. Such a simple thing, a gallon of paint, but it felt like the beginning of something so much bigger.
As we carried that paint up to our front door for the first time, a memory hit me.
It was the summer of 2015, our first date. After dinner we decided to stop by a little bar, just to keep the night going. We were standing by the dartboard, laughing & awkwardly trying to impress each other, when Riptide started playing. That song was everywhere that summer, looping in coffee shops, on the radio, at every bar.
But in that moment, it felt like it was just ours. I remember turning to him & saying, “I love this song.” And he smiled, without missing a beat, & said, “me too.”
Something about the way he said it gave me butterflies, the kind that made me think, this is different, this is something real.
Fast forward almost a decade, & here we are, paint in hand, stepping into the first house we’ve ever owned together. The soundtrack has come full circle: Riptide playing in the background of our first date, & again as we start this next chapter of our life.
It’s funny how music can bookmark the chapters of our story. Back then it was darts, nerves, & butterflies. Today, it’s keys, paint, & a brand-new front door. Both moments felt like the start of something special. And both were.
Owning your first home is a momentous occasion filled with excitement, anticipation, and a hint of nervousness. Many first-time homeowners find that small, symbolic tasks—like picking out the first can of paint—become cherished memories that mark the beginning of a new chapter. This experience is not only about the physical space but also about the emotional journey it represents. Having a soundtrack for important life milestones, such as a relationship or moving into a new house, is common. Music like “Riptide”—which plays in countless settings such as bars, coffee shops, and radios—often becomes the backdrop to meaningful moments. These songs help us recall feelings of excitement, connection, and hope, strengthening our emotional attachments to those memories. After closing on a house, many first-time buyers head straight to stores like Lowe’s to gather supplies needed for their new home. From buying paint to choosing hardware, these tasks symbolize ownership and the start of personalizing the space. It's in these everyday errands that new homeowners often realize the significance of their accomplishment and the journey they've undergone. Moreover, the transition from renting to owning involves not only financial planning and paperwork but also emotional readiness. Embracing this responsibility can bring a sense of pride and accomplishment. Connecting with communities of new homeowners or sharing stories can provide support and inspiration during this period. Ultimately, first homeownership is more than securing a place to live—it’s about creating a space that holds your personal story. Like a favorite song that bookmarks different phases of life, the objects and moments tied to a new home become part of the narrative you share with loved ones for years to come.
