Cowboy threw a leg over my four wheeler and pointed me down the back road. As we came to a slow an abandoned little ranch home came into view. He shared his dream of finding a place like that to call home someday. It was a little window into his ever hopeful soul. Although from the little smile on his face, he probably had something more romantic in mind, right there, in a house we probably weren’t supposed to be in with a terrible odor in the air, we made our first commitment to each other. Although we didn’t know when, where or how…we promised that if we were ever given the chance, we would bring a place like that back to life and share it with others in whatever way we could.
That was just the beginning of us looking for the unexpected in what might seem lost or forgotten. From homes and rental apartments to chicken feeders and porch rails, we like to walk into a mess and imagine what it could be. Some days that looks like repurposing projects and other days it’s a simple reminder of how we are committed to viewing our messy, beautiful sometimes complicated life.
This is our first year of letting the barn sleep through February rather than hosting our “I HEART JUNK SALE.” Although we miss it, we are taking time to remember the importance of all that we do and have in our reclaimed family. These three words are ones to remember: Love. Purpose. Story.
Love. Each piece we choose to haul home is because I love it. I can never predict what I love about something. I might love its angles and lines or maybe its curves or odd shape. I may even fall for its dents and scratches, but there must be an attraction. The same is true when we look at each other. We can focus on the flaws (we all surely have them) or we can look at all there is to love about each unique person!
Purpose. We can enjoy the treasures we bring home every single day if we find a purpose for them. Rather than how can this add to my collection, ask how can this add to my home? To my life? Where can it inspire me or help me in some way? If we choose to look at each other intentionally in this same mindset — the rest just falls into place.
Story. Each season serves its purpose and leaves its marks behind. The lines and the dents show wear and tear on our treasures (just like on us sometimes – can I get an amen??); but, each mark is a reminder of where it has been and how it was used.
So although it is true that “I Love Junk,” the truth is I really love surrounding myself with people and things that make me believe in the unexpected. Things that remind me that I too, am loved, have a purpose and am part of a bigger story.
That’s a love story that makes Valentine’s Day, shopping and all of the rest a little less important and getting to see your face and share this journey the most important part of what we do.
