While I was in college I moved six times. The longest I ever stayed in one place was a little over a year and the shortest was 3 months, with the others being somewhere in between. I liked my apartments for the most part and they were great while I was in school. But I think I moved a lot because I was looking for something. I didn’t find that something until I moved in May to the place I live now. The thing I was looking for was a safe place I could call home. What I am thankful for today is my apartment.

This is the first place I’ve lived by myself, and I think that’s a huge part of why I love it here. I had good roommates, but I felt like I always had to be “turned on” everywhere I went. I couldn’t come home after school or work and just relax because my roommates would have friends over or leave dirty dishes all over the kitchen or be watching a movie so loudly I couldn’t sleep. I wanted a space where I didn’t have to put on a mask. As an introvert, going 6 years without a safe place was extremely tiring. But now I don’t need to wear a mask in my apartment because it is all mine. I don’t have to worry about unexpected guests or dirty dishes taking up space on my kitchen counters. My kitchen, my bathroom, my space to do whatever I want. I can be fully relaxed surrounded by everything me.

But not having roommates isn’t the only thing that makes my apartment home. It’s the perfect size for one person, giving me plenty of room to do everything I need to while still being cozy. The neighbors are quiet, but friendly, and I’ve never had a problem with anyone being disrespectful or loud. I have a covered carport so I get some shade in the summer and don’t have to brush snow off my car in the winter. There’s a loop just a block over from my building that’s the perfect place for me to walk everyday. It’s about a mile long and gives me a gorgeous, unobstructed view of the mountains and three temples. I could go on and on about things I love here. It was very stressful getting this apartment because I had trouble selling my last contract and was afraid I wouldn’t do it in time to get this place. I wondered at times if I should just give up trying to move here and find something different. Thankfully, Heavenly Father knew this was a place that could be my home so He helped me get here. I’m grateful for that every single day.