Defining Home

December 28th, 2023 | by Madison Stone

Pete & Co. – Defining Home

 

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a house is “a building that serves as living quarters for one or a few families.” In our opinion, this is a sorely lacking definition. But then, what to replace it with? How does one describe a place that is both a physical and a metaphorical one? We’re not sure, but we wanted to give it a go.

So, to cap off our theme of Home and the Holidays, we asked Pete his thoughts on home as a concept and what he thinks makes having one so special.

.

.

One evening about a year ago, I worked late finishing up some last-minute details in one of our high-end, luxury homes. This particular house was entered in a showcase of homes, and we had partnered with a local furniture store to decorate it, so it was loaded with expensive furniture and decor alongside all its custom amenities.

From the upstairs window, I could see over the fence into the backyard of a home in the adjoining neighborhood. It was a much smaller house, probably a fourth of the value of the one I was standing in. I noticed that, hanging from the back porch, was a little plastic baby swing. And it struck me—that little house had the potential to be every bit the home that I hoped our showcase house would become.

It was a place where a little child would be able to enjoy swinging on his swing set, sing “Happy Birthday” at his mom’s birthday party, wake up early to see if Santa had come, hug dad when he comes home from work—all the things someone can experience in a happy home.

.

“Home is that place you want to be.”

.

Houses come in all different shapes and sizes, and in America many are privileged to live in some very nice ones! Our company specializes in custom-built homes, so we’re in the business of tailoring and customizing places to live.

While I am a big fan of these types of details and love building people’s dream homes, that day reminded me that none of these fancy details and expensive finishes matter when it comes to making a beautiful house into a home. The people inside of those four walls are who really make the difference.

Home is that place you want to be. You want to gather all your family and have them at home, tucked away with walls and a roof and a door that locks. With a heater and a warm bed. Home means we have shelter from the weather, security from things that would harm us, warmth and protection.

.

“The people inside of those four walls are who really make the difference.”

.

While I enjoy quality, crafted workmanship as much as the next guy, I don’t want to forget that what we provide through our business is so much more than well-built houses. We provide a place for people to live their most intimate and personal moments and the opportunity to create a home that people love and want to return to.

I don’t want it to sound like I think homes will solve all our problems. Even the best built house cannot withstand an F5 tornado! Our most tightly locked doors cannot keep out diseases, and our quality features don’t prevent troubles. Only the Lord can provide our ultimate security, and it is He who grants us the opportunity and ability to build and live in beautiful places.

But, that being said, a home is a great blessing, and I hope to be able to continue to be a part of providing that blessing to many families for years to come.

More Posts