Some people think it’s sweet; others find it weird. Regardless, I name my homes. Why not? People give names to their cars, boats, computers, and toys. They name their works of art, musical instruments, sports equipment, even their gardens. Psychologists have interesting reasons as to why we do this, but I personally think it signifies a strong fondness toward something. Names make objects more real, as if they have a life, and that life is linked to its owner. Unashamedly, I am fond of both my present home, Comfy Lane Cottage, and my first home, Little Blue Cottage. They’re more than just an address. Home is where a big part of my life happens… strengthening marriage bonds, loving unconditionally and forgiving…often, bearing children, learning “all things” about life and God, growing spiritually as individuals and together as a family, working and playing, crying and rejoicing, experiencing both health and sickness, even caring for a beloved as the body withers, and he departs to his heavenly home with God…the perfect home. Evidently, I’m not alone when it comes to naming a home. Beyond the large estates and manors, home naming is growing in popularity. For me personally, finding a good name to call home has brought deeper understanding to the true meaning of home.

Little Blue Cottage…part 1

I often tease my kids that I’m a trend setter, as they roll their eyes and laugh. I’ve jokingly tried to convince them that I got this name calling craze started, but more than likely, I really didn’t. Actually, for us, it kind of happened naturally. In the 90’s, I began homeschooling my oldest son, and his siblings joined us as they became of school age. We needed a name for our little school. I was a special education teacher before becoming a mother. I often described my classroom as a one room schoolhouse, with students of all different levels and ages. I had such a fondness for old schoolhouses, relating to what it must have been like for their teachers and students. Homeschooling also shared similarities to a one room schoolhouse. With a blue home, Little Blue Schoolhouse seemed to be the obvious choice for a school name.

A couple years later, my oldest son, who was eight years old, approached me with the desire to find a job and start earning his own money.  I looked into various types of jobs and discovered that small family businesses run from home were called cottage industries. Until that point, cottage to me was a warm cozy place with gardens everywhere.

Now, a cottage home meant so much more. It also represented a productive place, where hands were busy making things and serving others. That word “cottage” planted a little seed in my heart; I liked that word! We definitely shared an entrepreneurial spirit, and our house was a creative hub.  We eventually decided upon running a small family paper route, where my son and his younger siblings could deliver newspapers alongside me. We called ourselves Messengers, and for nine years served our neighbors and surrounding community, delivering grocery ads to families on a budget. As we diligently worked, created, and dreamed, the word “cottage” kept coming to mind, and in no time, it stuck.  Not only did we have a name for our school, we had a new name to call our home, Little Blue Cottage.

Little Blue Cottage was a cape cod style cottage that I sincerely hope was cozy and warm to all who entered. Over time, I realized that I wanted my home to be a reflection of my heart. It was important to me to have the type of home where family, friends, and strangers felt welcomed, safe, and loved. I tried to make it inviting, even from a distance, to draw others in. It was a humble home, not about impressing people, but rather blessing people. Inside those four walls was a strong family unit that grew closer and closer through life’s highs and lows, becoming a home filled with not just love, but laughter, creativity, resourcefulness, hard work, and so much more.

Little Blue Cottage with the symbols and meanings behind the name became a kind of mission statement for my family and home. Over the years, many were greeted with love and hospitality, including strangers…. a young traveling salesman trying to earn college money, a homeless woman who knocked on our door late one evening, a single mom and her son needing help, and even a “lady of the night” who was lost, scared, and didn’t have a phone. God had blessed us abundantly, and we desired to bless others. Loving relationship bonds formed within those blue four walls called home, grew within hearts, and spread far beyond.

I encourage you to join me in becoming a “home namer” and create a good name for your home, one that signifies who you are, what you stand for, or simply describes the place you call home.

Please join me again for part 2 of  A Good Name to Call Home, as I say goodbye to Little Blue Cottage and embark on a new journey of love, a new home together, and of course, finding just the right name for our home.