Home again
It’s finally time. Because as Flannery O’Connor once said, “Somewhere is better than anywhere.”
Today, I bought a new house. After a year of being untethered, working with realtors in multiple cities, praying every day for a clear sign of direction as to where I should re-root my life, I came to the conclusion that this was a decision about which God might not really have a strict opinion. Some decisions are like that, you know. Sometimes we are given freedom and agency to truly choose our own adventure, knowing that no matter where we go or what we do, we are hemmed in behind and before. So I prayed, and I explored, and I weighed a variety of options against a variety of criteria. And in the end, I took into account everything I had learned and felt and observed and absorbed… and I made a choice.
This is one of my favorite things about God: he doesn’t force us into anything. Instead, he invites us to co-create our lives. We take in all that the world offers: the sights and the sounds, the experiences and the people, the pain and the joy. We ask questions, and then we pay attention. We look for patterns and connections. Then, with whatever tools we have been given, we pick a path, leave the past in the past, and move forward into something new.
The moment I walked in the door, peace swept over me. As I looked around, I thought, “I could thrive here.” It’s a 1940s bungalow with gorgeous light, all new windows, gleaming hardwoods, French pocket doors, built-ins around the fireplace, a gas range, crown molding, a porch swing, a dreamy backyard, and great water pressure in the showers (very important, I hope you always check). It’s been well-loved, the sort of legacy you can feel in the air. I have sweet dreams for this home.
As I signed the paperwork, I noticed that the deed listed me as “ANNE E PARSONS, SINGLE WOMAN.” I laughed about it with the men at the table because sheesh, rub it in — but inside, this is what I thought:
Hell yes.
This is the third house I’ve purchased as a single woman. This shouldn’t be a big deal, because in the words of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, “Females are strong as hell.” But even in 2018, it still feels like a big deal. I’m proud of the decisions I’ve made that have led me to Single Woman Three Time Homeownership, while simultaneously being very aware of grace’s mysterious role in it all. I am proud. I am grateful. Hell yes.
Here’s to new beginnings in a familiar city… and in a house that used to belong to Kacey Musgraves, but now belongs to me. Hey Nashville, let’s try this again.
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tags: Annie Parsons | Choices | God | Happy | Home | Moving | Nashville | Singleness
Can.not.wait to visit. #bluebird #ryman #kacey
It’s beautiful, Annie! Congratulations!
Hell yes!!!!!!!!!! ????????????????????????????????????????❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I almost cried reading this. I’ve been creeping in that Facebook lowrider trying to see where you’d land, knowing no matter what city it was, they’d be lucky to have you and I’m just so damn happy to hear you’ve found it. And more importantly, with it came peace. Can’t wait to see your Nashville adventures unfold, Annie!
This house totally looks like you. So delighted!!
Congrats!
I love me some Kacey too!!
So glad to hear your voice again, Annie! Julie and I will be in Nashville this November and I would LOVE to drive by and see it in person and have a chat with its amazing owner. Blessings to you as you move forward courageously toward the new incredible journey!
Love the look of that house!! I can’t wait for a picture tour!! ☺️
Yay! Let’s hang out.
HELL YEAH YEE HAW!!!! So excited for you love. I hope Nashville is sweet and spicy and everything you could need for your next chapter. Maybe I’ll see you when I visit my mom next time! Until then, enjoy Percy Warner and the Turnip Truck and the dog parks. Nashville, and the surrounding areas, like awesome Chattanooga, will forever be part of anyone who has the chance to experience them. Enjoy waterfall hikes!!!! Love you, excited to track your new adventures ❤️❤️❤️
YOU ARE AWESOME! I am happy for you and also proud. It is good to move and it is good to settle in and it is good to take a risk and it is good to not know for sure. That is where the beauty is. And in you. Miss you XO
It’s BEAUTIFUL, Annie!!! And SOOOOOO you!!! You & Foxy will LOVE this home!!! CONGRATULATIONS, Sweetie!!!!
GAHHH. I love you. Let’s do this Nashville thing. Welcome home.
Congrats ! So lovely . Happy for you.
love it!
Congrats!! New adventures await indeed!
glad you have landed – kind of surprised it’s Nashville, but way to go. This is a lovely home and you’ll make it even more so.
Your news house must have been waiting for you. It looks happy that you are home! So foxy and the wondered will soon be settled. You both must joyoysly feel those roots settling in. Congratulations. Definitely has a bryn Mawr feeling.
Love this! Congrats, Annie. Only sad to have found out via social media/your blog and not via a more personal text! Ha! J/K – love you girl, and happy you have found a home! <3
checking back on this blog after a long time :) and i think this is the place where it’s all going to happen. your address adds up to 7…and seven is the number which is stamped on every work of God. :) all the best!!
Big congrats to you! And I love the paragraph about co-creating.
“I came to the conclusion that this was a decision about which God might not really have a strict opinion. Some decisions are like that, you know. Sometimes we are given freedom and agency to truly choose our own adventure, knowing that no matter where we go or what we do, we are hemmed in behind and before.” I need to put this on a sign to hang on my wall. LOVE these beautiful words of truth and wisdom! So very happy to read about your new adventure and your precious new home. God’s goodness reigns… grace upon grace. :)
Wow!! Had missed this news somehow and was just talking about your fb question with the girls last night. Hannah was all, “Doesn’t she live in Nashville?” (HOW did she know?!?);-). I thought you were still a pilgrim. SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!! Makes sense to come home and reclaim your place, dressed-up in a charming bungalow. You will wear it well. Blessings!
I keep checking in here, waiting for more life updates. :) I suppose I could just drop you an actual line, or creep on your instagram…but I keep coming here to see that darling picture of your new home and every time I do I feel so glad for you. It looks so welcoming and I am so, so happy for you.
[…] The last you heard from me, I had just closed on a little dream house in Nashville. I signed the title and drove straight to a coffee shop where I pecked out some words about my new home, and then I disappeared into the ether. Of course, this isn’t entirely true — if we’re friends on any of the socials, you’ve seen signs of life. But once I had secured a house, logistics took over. Between a move (September), a new job (September), and building a new life (ongoing), I just haven’t had the space to process and crystalize any thoughts or stories for myself, let alone for anyone else. I’m not so self-important to believe that anyone has noticed my absence here, but I’ve certainly felt my own lack of creative output, even if just to string a few words together. […]