When we were married in 2004, my parents' gift to us was the choice between a nice big wedding, or a down payment on a house when we were ready. This was probably the quickest and easiest decision ever, and the money was saved for this future house for us. We moved our family of 4 to a small 2 bedroom apartment in Saskatoon while I went to school and Reno kept us afloat with a data entry job. During this time, the prices of houses began soaring around us and the debts began to swallow us whole. I was due to graduate in June of 2007, and we knew for us to have a hope of renting, let alone buying, we were going to have to go out of the city. Having both grown up in small towns and rural communities, this didn't scare us. We began our hunt for the house for us.
Disappointment after disappointment fell over our hearts after we looked at many places. We signed up for automatic emails and spent hours perusing the listings within a 1/2 hour vicinity of Saskatoon. One morning, the listing for our current house came up, and we knew it was for us. Before driving out to this house, I spoke with my Dad on the phone. I forwarded him pictures and he agreed... if we liked this place then put in an offer and he would provide the down payment and assist us in getting the mortgage.
And that's what happened... we made the drive, looked at the house and fell in love instantly. Huge kitchen and dining room, tons of bedrooms, loads of space, fenced backyard for the kids…This was it! By the next day, we had a signed offer in hand, and April 15th, the conditions were removed. In May we discovered we were expecting another little bundle of joy and our decision was reaffirmed. Yes - it was a bit of a longer drive, but this was OUR ticket to independence, freedom, and a place to call home.
We got possession of the house June 30, 2007. On that date we made a trip out with the kids, complete with sleeping bags, air mattresses and some food. We made up our beds in one of the bedrooms, and pretended we were already all moved in. I remember being in the backyard with the kids and telling them to run around. They literally ran around in circles, completely unaware of what "running around" was supposed to mean to child with a backyard. Barefoot they wriggled their toes in the rich green grass and lifted their eyes to the sunshine. Happiest day of their lives, they declared.
The community welcomed us with open arms, and we instantly became involved in everything Laird had to offer. Hockey, curling, Laird days, slo-pitch tournaments, hall suppers, Halloween parties, movie nights and dances. Reno became so passionate about serving this small community, he got involved in the school board, volunteer fire department, town council, and, now, Mayor. We've looked long and hard for places that satisfied our evolving needs and yet would still allow us to partake in all that is Laird, and finally we've found it.
This house was a key turning point for the Therrien family, and choosing to sell it is another turning point on more levels than can be conveyed. It's a departure from what we know, what's secure, and what has served us so well for so many years. While we always knew that a first house is rarely your "forever" house, we certainly could envision living here for the rest of our lives. As time goes on, however, you do learn that what you want and need change with time. We've now surpassed what this house can offer us in one single area - land. My heart pangs at the loss of this house... both the physical separation and what this house has signified to us.
This isn't just our house - it's our home, and I can only hope that someone will find and treasure this house and all it has to offer them.
Our MLS Listing
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