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July 18, 2011. I say this date so I will always remember it. Today is the day we signed the papers on our first home. For some, this is not a big deal. For us, it is huge and so wonderful. You see, I have always dreamed of owning my own home. When I was 18 years old, I would imagine what my home would look like. I would dream about owning a home on Kauai. Seeing the economy affect home prices, I had doubt this would be possible. At one point in 2007, prices were so high on Kauai, I didn't see how any young people would be able to own a home and live here. But there is an old adage: what goes up must come down. And so it did with prices on Kauai as well. I started saving when I was 23. It was a dream, yet a far one. When Ariki and I married in 2005, I had already saved $13,000. I told him we would start a "home fund" with the money. He asked if I planned to buy just a bathroom with that amount. I laughed, but kept saving. Slowly and surely. We paid off debt and arranged our life to be simple and free of most wants. We bought clothes and items second-hand and saved the difference. We ate at home and shopped sales. And waited for the right time. Eventually, we were able to save enough for a down payment. Even we were amazed at the number we were able to save. Persistance. Patience. Dedication. We never borrowed from our Home fund. Finally we found the right house. A little 3 bedroom in Koloa. Great neighbors, great school and beach nearby.
We went to sign papers today. We had to bring the kids to the meeting. Lyon asked if they would have a movie at the meeting. Nope. How about a party? Nope, sorry buddy. Just papers. Just papers that I have been waiting to sign for ten years. On Friday we pick up the keys and the U-Haul. And then we move to a new chapter in our life. Homeowners. Thank you Lord!