It was a year ago this Tuesday that the tiny house on Bellaire became mine. I remain in awe of what a wonderful investment and what a sweet little home this old, dilapidated shotgun has become.
On November 1st, we welcomed our first guest, and since, we’ve stayed almost completely booked, including visitors coming back multiple times from other cities, a several-day stay over Kentucky Derby weekend, and- next week- a guest from Paris (that’s Paris, France, not Paris, Kentucky). Thanks to my partnership with Orange Court Management, we’ve garnered nothing less than five-star reviews and kind words.
I can’t believe that I’ve accomplished such a feat without my dad… I think, so much, about what his opinion of such a project would be. I know he’d tell me that I spent too much money and too much time on kitchen cabinets, hardwood floors, and pretty furniture, but I’d like to think, too, that he’d be approving and impressed over the amount of income from such a teeny little property, as well as with the sheer saving of the structure before it toppled over.
A year into this ownership, this project, and all I can do is think of Daddy. I still see him everywhere, and feel his guidance, but with every anniversary that passes- whether it’s one more year in my career, one more year living in our home- I have to think that it’s one more year without his living influence.
This post did not go the way I expected it to.
A year later, and I remain in love with this sweet little house. I still see his influence reflected around every turn, and still have a moment of sadness when I walk in, knowing that this is just the first of many projects that will go on without him. Still, I can’t help but have that little sense of price when I drive by, when I log on to Airbnb and see how full the calendar is. A year later, and finally, I think, I succeeded in building something he’d be proud of.
** photos by Dragonfly Visual **
