When I was younger and I imagined the home I would live in, I always envisioned a gorgeous backyard. The grass would always be freshly-mowed and the pool would be at the perfect temperature. We’d have our own pond (just like the neighbors down the street did- I just always wanted my own koi fish), and I’d teach my child everything to know about fish and flowers and the birds in the sky.

They say life happens when you’re too busy making other plans, and I couldn’t agree more with this quote.

I don’t have that backyard. I don’t know if I’ll ever have that picture-perfect, All-American backyard, the one that makes the neighbors jealous and the visitors excited.

Actually, to be completely honest, I don’t even have a backyard! Nope! I have a small condo porch that’s full of lovely succulents and flowers. There’s no yard. We share communal space in the front of our home, but that’s it.

I live in Southern California, which is easily one of the most unaffordable places to live in the country. I don’t pretend that I’m a victim to this financial situation. I choose to live here. This is where I grew up, and this is where I want to stay (at least for now).

With that said, the average home here costs upwards of a half a million dollars. And that’s for something rather insignificant. Your average tract home.

Needless to say, the backyard wasn’t a huge priority when buying our home. Not yet, anyway. Maybe when we have a bigger family, maybe when I feel like I’ve outgrown our place. Maybe when I really feel like I need to have lessons in the backyard with my children about the fish and the birds and the meaning of life.

For now, I’m content with what we have. The small two-bedroom, two-bath, the place we can safely and happily call the home we own.

There’s no pond (yet). There’s no jacuzzi (except for the one in our complex). And, there’s no backyard grilling. But it’s my home, and I’m proud of it, and it’s good enough.