As the holiday lights adorned our house in early December, Saskatoon remained devoid of snow. Despite the absence of the white blanket, I couldn’t help but admire our home once again. The saying “Home is where the heart is” has always resonated with me, and after three years in Canada, it seems we have finally discovered our place of belonging.
Upon entering the house for the first time during our house hunt, my husband, teenager, and I were captivated by the abundance of windows. Natural light flooded in from all angles, casting a warm and welcoming aura throughout every room, including the basement. “Ma, this feels like home,” my child exclaimed, a sight that had been absent for a while. The usual teenage banter followed, with my child remarking, “And not a dentist’s office,” in reference to the other “perfect” houses we had viewed.
Our new home exuded beauty in its simplicity and coziness, featuring a gracefully stretching front lawn and a backyard adorned with swaying poplar trees. The defining feature, however, was the windows. It wasn’t extravagant, nor was it overly spacious or cramped—it was just perfect. It was truly love at first sight.
Reflecting on my childhood memories of home while surrounded by Christmas lights in our backyard, I was reminded of our home in India, which boasted a similar natural expanse. Recreating these nostalgic memories with my family filled me with deep gratitude.
The past few years following our move from Delhi to Saskatoon have been a whirlwind of uncertainty for my family. Our previous home in India, which we had invested in as a young couple, provided a sense of ownership and control—a canvas for our dreams. While it differed from my childhood home, characterized by vertical growth in Delhi, our apartment held a special place in our hearts. It was a space filled with cherished memories that expanded over the years to accommodate our growing family.
Leaving our home behind to embark on a new life in Saskatoon felt like leaving a part of ourselves behind, a sentiment amplified by the transient nature of renting. Our rental apartment lacked personalization and felt impersonal, with the cold seeping in and thin walls amplifying the sounds of the neighbors. The COVID-19 pandemic further heightened this impermanence, prompting us to purchase a house in September.
Now, nestled in the warmth of our new Saskatoon abode, I see more than just bricks and mortar—I see the foundation of a new chapter in our lives. Our house has played a crucial role in helping us find a sense of stability, where rooms are imbued with our laughter, arguments, and love. It is a place where we can create an environment that reflects our identity, build new memories, and lay down roots in a once unfamiliar but now unquestionably familiar place we proudly call home.
Saskatoon has transformed from a mere location on the map to a beacon of hope for our family, teaching us that home is not merely where you come from but where you choose to be.