North.
My first time home.
I sit in the passenger seat of Mum’s Mazda as we wind through the Brynderwyn Hills, heading north for the first time in years. The drive seems short but the journey has been long, the anticipation of seeing “home” keeps me going. Mum and I chit chat and catch up, talking about our life, love, and loss. But as we draw closer, the conversation starts to die down, and I find myself lost in thought.
We round a bend in the road, the speed limit drops, the landscape changes, and my heart skips a beat. The beauty of the land before me is breathtaking. The bay stretch out as far as the eye can see, the rugged coastline meets the ocean with a ferocity that is both intimidating and awe-inspiring.
The air whipping through the car is crisp and fresh, and the scent of peace and rest fills my nostrils. Anticipation and excitement are building inside me as we approach the small town of Waipu.
After pulling into the driveway, I step out of the car and take a deep breath. This is it, the new life my parents have made. The house is modern with the warmth of a thousand hugs, nestled among their neighbours, with a view of the river flowing in the distance. I can feel my face grinning as I take it all in.
Mum walks up beside me, and we stand there in silence for a moment, just taking it all in. I feel a sense of ease wash over me, a feeling of being at home that I haven't felt in a long time. But mum can’t stay still for Ling as the excitement to show me round bubbles up and pops. She puts her arm around me, and we walk towards the front door.
As we step inside, I am greeted with the familiar warmth of the family and the smell of home-cooked food. The furniture is simple but cozy, and the walls are adorned with pictures of family and friends. Home is where the heart is, and it has already kicked up it’s feet and settled in here.
Dad comes in from the garden and we embrace in a hug that would put a bears to shame. The stories start flowing and the laughter echoes down the hallways. The sense of belonging once more washes over me and the weight of the world is left by the door.
Over the next few days, we’ll explore the surrounding area, taking in all the sights and sounds of their life in the north. My time here will be short, but Waipu has already become home, and will now be a part of me I take back across the sea.