Life has changed dramatically over the past three years for many folks, I know. Mine is no exception. So many of those changes led to the next and then the next and then the next, as life does (I’ll endeavor to share what happened in another thread). Those cumulative changes led my wife and I to take a HUGE leap and finally start bringing to fruition a dream I’ve had for a little over thirty years - and the biggest personal project I’ve ever attempted. It’s also the greatest personal risk I’ve ever made, with the potential for the greatest reward. My wife busts my ass on the regular because I document near everything that I do, but never share it. With anyone. Ever. So, let’s see if I can start by putting it down here.
On October 19, 2021, after a exhausting year of searching all over the west coast, and a bit more in the Midwest, we bought a 56 acre property in upstate New York, at the very northern county of the Hudson Valley. This property will be a family home, as well as an arts retreat.
I’m also curious about all the different structures I’ve heard about at the new property. You’ve been working on the main house, I know, but isn’t there a haunted stable or demonic lawn tractor?
It’s called Älskar House. That’s what we named it. My suggestion, actually. A mashup and partial nod to my wife’s heritage - she’s half Hungarian and half Swedish. The first bit of Swedish she’d said to me was “jag älskar dig.” I learned that for bilingual Swedes, saying I love you in Swedish means something more. Because I’d suggested this name to my wife, it’s become all the more personal and truly something we’ve been building from the heart.
To be honest, I’ve been loathe to write anything about life these past five years or so, as 1) I don’t seem to be able to write short little updates, and 2) how we got here and how things have changed along the way have been incredibly painful and some of the most trying parts of my entire life.
Going back to the name. I can safely say that things are better for my wife and I today and going forward. We are incredibly fortunate to be where we are and to have gone through all that we have gone through to get here. She chooses to say that things had to happen exactly as they happened in order for each of us to get to where we are now.
We are grateful beyond words to have this place and for it to be the home we continue to build together.
Speaking as one who struggles with brevity, and is familiar with some of these trials and tribulations, I am reminded of a Stick Figure lyric–Don’t look back, but never forget.
Not entirely the sentiment I want to convey, here, but I know the shit you’ve been through stands to make the next chapter’s goodness all the more powerful.
Welcome to Spring, brother. I hope it’s bright and uplifting.
Is that waterfront view on your property? Because get yourself a dinghy if so!
Also, Fall is so awesome, I get excited thinking about it even today, while I’m so done with Winter that I feel like I’m cheating on Spring just thinking about fall colors. Haha.
