The house with the red door

When I graduated from PA school and was looking for employment, I never thought I would be coming back to New Jersey. I really thought I would be starting my new career and life in Florida; especially having a brother in the medical field living a couple of hours north. The family would have been somewhat reunited, with my parents and sister in Haiti; it would make it easier for everyone to see each other. I kept applying in Florida, but the offers were down right disrespectful. My current place of employment, which was my last job before I left for school, offered me a position and the rest is history. Your girl has been back since July 2019.

I have been staying with a friend, my boobie Kelly – which I have met at said workplace; SMG has been so good to me, since I have moved back. This allowed me to save. My “want” a lot of times crept up and had me looking at apartments; but my “need” kept whispering stay and save. And I did just that. I declined many invites; I refrained from buying the expansive shoes and outfits because I had a goal. Fashion Nova would not let me live, sending me reminder e-mails of what I left in my cart; even then, the most affordable option was just not on my current budget. There is nothing wrong with people wanting these material things; it just that at that time, getting them would prolonged the timing of my goal. Many times, I would take breaks from social media because Instagram can make you desire things you have no business acquiring. It took discipline and thank God, that is one thing I do not lack.

I remember reaching out to my real estate agent a few months after moving back up north; the plan was to look at apartments. Then I refrained, since the rent was almost looking like a mortgage. I told her I would get back to her in a few months; it took more than that but around October 2020, I reached back out to Sandy. I was ready to start something. To start looking at homes. I didn’t know how much I could afford, did not know anything really, but just that I wanted a home in a safe area, as I would be doing this alone. My real estate agent, Sandy gathered the best team from lender to lawyer to help me in this journey. And when she said, I got you; I believed her.

I looked at maybe 10 houses. I almost made an offer on one just because I loved the private backyard, it was an oasis back there. It was in Union, but oh lawdddd, the inside had tiny bedrooms with 1 ½ bathroom asking an arm and a leg. I had left the affording housing back in Florida - Welcome back to the north's reality! Sandy looked at me and asked: “you sure this is the one?” Like how do you know? Like how do you decide this is the property you want to risk your credit score and financial freedom on?

Guess what? That house sure was not it. To people who ask if love at first sight exists; I will respond yes. I mean I have not experienced it with a person but when I walked into my home – it feels so weird and nice to say it – but when I walked into my home, from the front door to the tiny body of water in the back, this house was it and was ALL MINE.

Sandy said “Steph, if you want it, you will need to write a letter to appeal to the buyers because this house has multiple offers”. This is an excerpt of the letter I wrote to the buyers: “The red front door caught my attention; spoke to the boldness and confidence I have to possess to navigate the field of work I am in. Opening the door and walking in felt like walking in to my new chapter. I was able to envision my future family in each room; the love, laughter and memories we will build gave me chills. I have worked so hard to have a career I feel confident in and would love the opportunity to build the same on a personal level. This home is the cherry on top of my journey."

But they did not accept my offer!

This was the week before my birthday. I had prayed about it but mostly prayed about strength to accept whatever would have been the outcome. But let me tell you, strength I did not have when I got the call. I felt heartbroken. You don’t know how much you want something, until you cannot have it! Called the parentals and literally sounded like a wet puppy!

Went on vacation for my birthday and the day of my return, Sandy rang my phone around 9pm. Like she never calls me that late. “Are you sitting down” she said; “No”, I answered. “Well, girl, you have the house if you want it; they came back and accepted your offer”.

Like hold on, wait a minute??!! Ok, ok!

The lender called me the day after and told me the amount I would need at closing. Coincidentally, my job asked me to work overtime to help with COVID testing. Everything was aligning. I had wrote a quote on my white board mid 2020, "The rain is coming in due time, but have you sowed" and the year 2021. Like I kept dreaming about 2021. Things were moving around in my favor; I just had to buckle down and do my part. I was tired, mentally drained; there were days I could not think straight. My body felt rested as I would sleep but my mind, my brain hurt. I worked 7 days a week, for 2 months, and 6 days a week for the 3rd month. I don’t know how I did it but I got it done.

On February 9th, 2021, I closed on my first home. ALL BY MY DAMN SELF!!!

It has not hit yet! My parents, my friends have congratulated me, explained and highlighted how big of an accomplishment this is. But I think I am still on a high from it all, or just so amazed at it that I’m still in shock.

But it is possible. I deserve it all. I packed up and left Haiti at 16 to live with my aunt in Union, NJ because my home country looked grim – still does. When I felt cornered and stagnant being an assistant branch manager at Enterprise Rent-a-Car, I took an inventory and decided for the medical field, which deep down was always my path. Again, packed up all my belongings and drove miles away to Florida. I put in the work every single day at my job to be the best provider for my patients, conquered my childhood trauma and started a blog to empower females. If this is another way to show you ladies, you can make it happen, then yes, let me be an example. This is not so much of I did it “without a man”, but more so, I did it “on my own”. The distinction exists.

I am blessed to have a great, encouraging team around me. I will keep making them proud but most of all, keep striving to make myself proud. We are all capable, I truly believe it. Some circumstances can delay your harvest, but it is possible. What have you been shorting yourself of? I thank the Lord for showing me all He has in store for me and daring me to make it happen.

Challenge accepted!