Deal-Breaker

Most people have a future dream home that they like to fantasize about, down to every detail. At this stage of life I find no point in spending time towards thinking about it; however I have arrived at one non-negotiable....a front porch.

The reason for this is two-fold.

1) In my mind it is the perfect space--exposure to the outside elements with the comforts of your home. The front porch at the Church's is my happy place. No matter the season, I'm out there. Curled up in a blanket reading a book. On the phone as the rain hits the roof. Sipping wine with a dear friend as the summer sun fades into the horizon. People watching. It's a breath of fresh air, it's your watch tower, and it's a piece of the neighborhood entirely yours.

2) It may seem obvious, but a porch is a extension of your home that anyone can enter. It is that middle ground, that neutral space, that suddenly makes you interact with the neighborhood and people who inhabit it. Want to feel connected to where you live? Just sit out there and wait. There have been so many moments this year of seeing people I wouldn't normally because they are walking by. It may seem trivial, but to unexpectedly see and wave to a friend or  acquaintance or even share a smile with a stranger makes you feel like you're a part of something bigger.

A porch, when used properly, is the biggest outreach tool you may ever have with the people around you--physically in your environment. To sit on a porch and be present means you are welcoming others into your life. Whether it's eating a meal together or sharing stories over beer and cigarettes, it's such a special way to bring neighbors--often the most overlooked but impactful relationships of your daily life--together, with a practice most of us have long forgotten.