In early December, as we decorated our Saskatoon home with holiday lights under a snowless sky, I couldn’t help but admire our house once again. Having spent three years in Canada, we had finally discovered a place we could truly call home.
Upon first entering the house with my husband and teenager during our house hunt, we were captivated by the abundance of windows that filled every room with a warm, welcoming glow. Even the basement was awash with sunlight, prompting my child to exclaim, “Ma, this feels like home,” a sentiment I hadn’t seen on their face in a long time.
The simplicity and coziness of our new home, with its graceful front lawn and swaying poplar trees in the backyard, along with the abundance of windows, made it feel just right. It may not have been extravagant or spacious, but it was perfect and love at first sight.
Reflecting on my childhood home in India, surrounded by Christmas lights and greenery, I felt grateful for the opportunity to recreate similar memories with my family. The move from Delhi to Saskatoon had been a roller-coaster ride of uncertainty for us, leaving behind a space filled with cherished memories and a sense of ownership.
Leaving behind our Indian home to relocate to Saskatoon felt like leaving a piece of our hearts behind, especially with the transient nature of renting. Our rental apartment lacked personal touch, with thin walls and basic furniture, making it a place to live, not a true home. Amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, transitioning to a new country was daunting, but it led us to purchase a house in September, marking a new chapter in our lives.
Our new home in Saskatoon has provided us with a sense of stability and belonging, allowing us to personalize it and create an environment that reflects our identity. It is where we will build new memories, celebrate milestones, and anchor ourselves in a place that has become our undeniable home. Saskatoon has transformed from a mere location on the map to a beacon of hope, teaching us that home is not just where you come from, but where you choose to be.