I grew up in Arlington, Texas — a city that proudly brands itself as the American Dream City. Positioned almost exactly between Dallas and Fort Worth, Arlington has long lived in the shadows of its better-known neighbors. But over time, it’s built a reputation all its own. Today it is the 50th largest city in the United States and 7th most populous in Texas. It’s home to two iconic sports franchises: Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers. And it is home to a R1 University: University of Texas at Arlington
From the day I was born until I reached young adulthood, I lived with my parents in our modest three-bedroom, two-bathroom brick house in the heart of Central Arlington.
10 Homes
Since getting married, my experience of home has evolved from stability and permanence to something more fluid and ever-changing. We’ve lived in 10 different houses over the years with each offering a unique experience in our larger journey together. And that number doesn’t include the short-term stops we made during some of our bigger transitions.
The ten places we’ve owned, considered our primary residence for a season, and called home appear below.
Variety
Throughout our marriage, we’ve called a diverse collection of homes our own ranging from brand-new builds to houses that were many decades old, and everything in between. We’ve settled in neighborhoods across Texas, Florida, and Oklahoma with each of our 10 homes offering something different. Together, they form a mosaic of the places we’ve lived, loved, served, and grown.
The following statistics showcase the variety of our homes:
Geography
- Texas: 7
- Florida: 2
- Oklahoma: 1
Size
- 1,000-1,999 square feet: 4
- 2,000-2,999 square feet: 4
- 3,000 or more square feet: 2
Unique Features
- View: 4 (2 with lake views, 1 golf course view, and 1 downtown view)
- HOA: 4 (2 gated communities and 2 without gates)
So What?
Throughout my life home has been a central and grounding place. It is at once both the place I retreat to and the place I welcome others. It’s always available, offering safe space to become the person I understand that I was created to be. Above everything else, home is where love lives, beginning with the love my wife and I share.
As my understanding of what home is and what home can be has expanded the possibilities for where and how we live have also grown. Today, we call two very different houses in two states home, reminding me that home isn’t confined to a single place and that it’s possible to have more than one primary residence. (Notably, one of them is located in Arlington, Texas.)
I’m grateful for all eleven houses I’ve mentioned and for the friends and family who have transformed each into a place I could truly call home.
Finally, I wonder about your story. What does home mean to you and how has your perspective changed over time?