Engaged and first home at 21 ✨

Wow, it's still surreal to think that at 21, I'm both engaged AND a first-time homeowner! After sharing my big news, so many of you asked about the journey. It definitely felt like a whirlwind, but I'm so excited to finally start making our new house a home and dive into wedding planning. For anyone dreaming of their own first home, let me tell you, it's a mix of exciting and overwhelming! We spent a lot of time researching different homebuying platforms to understand the market. While we're not in Ontario, I imagine the principles of finding a good realtor and getting your finances in order are universal. My biggest tip to simplify buying is to get pre-approved for a mortgage early. It gives you a clear budget and shows sellers you're serious. We also learned to prioritize our 'must-haves' versus 'nice-to-haves' for the home. Seeing our new front door decorated for Halloween and then Christmas, as the pictures show, truly made it feel like *ours*. Then there's the wedding planning! I'm still in the early stages, but the excitement is real. It's a lot to juggle, especially right after moving in and getting settled. I've started a Pinterest board (of course!) and we're just beginning to think about dates and guest lists. Balancing the joy of finding the perfect engagement ring (which I still can't stop staring at!) with the practicalities of planning a big event is a new challenge. It's not just about the big milestones, but also the little things that make life special. Like finding those adorable moon boots after moving to Arizona (totally worth it, even if it doesn't snow here!), or splurging on a new purse to celebrate. Making our kitchen festive with those Christmas decorations visible in the photos instantly brought so much warmth. For those of you wondering how to navigate big life changes like these, especially if you're doing it while also planning a family or other major events, my advice is to take it one step at a time. Break down the huge tasks into smaller, manageable ones. Don't be afraid to ask for help, whether it's from family, friends, or professionals like real estate agents and wedding planners. It’s all about creating a vision for your future and slowly but surely making it a reality. Finding resources that simplify buying and planning is key. Being 21 and going through all this has been an incredible learning experience. It's taught me so much about budgeting, compromise, and the importance of creating a space that truly reflects us. From the moment we got the keys to our house, to envisioning our future wedding, every day feels like a new adventure. I'm so grateful for this journey and can't wait to share more as we go!