According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of a house is; “a building that serves as living quarters for one or a few families”. But to me, a house is much more than just a building. A house is more than just a structure or a shelter. To me, a house becomes a home because of the family inside of that structure, and the unconditional love that comes from that family. A house is a home because of the love inside of the house.
Ever since I was little my family would have traditions for every holiday, and even every dinner. Before every dinner, we would sit down and before anyone takes a bite we say grace. Every Christmas we make the same Polish dinner and eat the same desserts. Every Easter morning we would all stop by the same place for breakfast while mom pretends to be the Easter Bunny and hides the eggs. Because of this, I learned that home is more than just the roof over your head, but it’s the things that happen under the roof that truly make it a home.
I have also learned that you don’t even have to have a roof over your head for you to be at home. For me, the soccer field was a second home for me. It has been a place where as soon as I step on the turf I can feel the stress come off my shoulders. Night after night I would put my boots on and hang out with my second family. It is a place to make each other laugh, share our stresses, and cheer each other up. A home is more than just a building, it is a place where you feel comfortable.
I have also found that home doesn’t have to be a place, but it can be people too. Every year my family travels across the country to meet with another family that we’ve known ever since I was litter. Every time we meet it’s like we never left each other. We constantly throw jokes at each other, laughter flies around the room, and we can always sense the feeling of love between all of us. And after that week goes by and we sadly have to part ways again we always say the same thing, “This isn’t a goodbye, it’s a see you later.”
I believe the point in trying to make is that a house can always be home, but a home is not always a house. It takes more than a few walls and doors to make something feel like home. It’s the traditions and emotions that make you feel at home.