I was born through Pacific Yurts. Which is wonderful, really... their attention to detail and craftsmanship is some of the best in the world. They ship all over the place because of it.
But the family that wanted me, was based right here, in the Eugene area. Still a bit of a travel, as the company and workshop is actually located in Cottage Grove, where I'd eventually come back to... but that's not where this story begins. I'm going to take you back to the moment my life started. After all... that is where life really begins... wouldn't you agree?
It was a bright, late summer day. Nestled deep in the 3rd week of August when the sun kisses your skin as soon as you step beyond the shadow you were in.
August is a time for dreaming up the days to come, the life and home bright and aired out with the summer's breeze.
That's exactly what the family that walked into the lobby at Pacific yurts had been doing.... dreaming. Dreaming of a super sweet and perfect place for their family. They were expecting, you know... their first. Not just one, but two! Twins!
That's right... when they walked up to the counter and were asked "how can I help you?" ... that's what they were after.
"We're wanting to build a place that feels amazing, that we can have on our parent's property so when can be close when the babies come. We're looking for the home we'll bring our family into this world in."
And that's when I was ordered.
Now, it still took about 5 months for the whole birthing process before they could pick me up and move me to what would be my new home... at least for a while.
It was so sweet! Getting to house this new family within my walls. Getting to support and nourish these growing young ones as they learned to see the world.
But before too long, they realized that with the twins, they would need more space than the 454 ft I could provide.
They loved me, I knew that... I also knew they needed to move on.. Find that land and the house they could raise those baby girls to be energetic kids running around and eventually, young women. And I was the perfect starting point.
But it was time for all of us to move on.
I was only up on the Marketplace for a few days before Jasmine found me.
She was hooked. Excited. Dreams and visions flooded her vision as she called to set up an appointment for us to meet for the first time.
I knew when she got there, that this was it. I would go home with her.
Not only that, but I would be made into something that could be shared and make even a grumpy person appreciate being under my roof.
I could feel the potential flooding me as she walked through, walked around, and examined every exceedingly wonderful trait (if I do say so myself...) and every flaw (I'll be honest.. It's rather intimate to have your skirt flaps up and inspected).
By the time she left, she knew every growing pain I'd been through... Every scar I'd gotten and all the stories I've lived.
But I knew her too.
I knew the hopes she carried. The love she shared. The visions she created. And I knew... that being home with her, I would become something I'd never before been.... And I wanted it.
Oh how I wanted to see what she'd do with me. What kinds of life she'd create for me. The aliveness she'd instill within me.
I knew I'd go home with her. But oh how I hoped she knew it too.
It was days before the call came in... 3 long, cold, relatively impatient days.
It was the beginning of march and I was left in the backyard. Not forgotten but not visited, lived in, or even really tended to. I missed life.
You know, the kind of life that when you're a part of it all the energy in the room seems to brighten and lift? Or if it's a cloudy day there's a coziness to life that just begs for cuddles and comfort. It's a life of connection.
Jasmine finally called, beaming, and said YES.
She was there a week later with a crew of people that began stripping me and taking me down piece by piece.
It was a bit uncomfortable... At least it wasn't raining. That would have kind of sucked. But it would have been fine... I was going *home*.
When I saw where I'd be standing from then on, It was already so prepared for me. The ground leveled and set. The materials present to plant me into the hillside. I was to have my own little nook on this land she'd been tending to for just over 10 years.
I was home.
It was a process. To get me standing in place. Luckily, it was a fun one. There were about 5 people to help raise me.
and finally, my roof was on. I was back to the blueprint from which Jasmine found me.
But she didn't start there.
Oh, no. She had plans.
Piece by piece they came together.
A bathtub dropped into the floor that came from this sweet elder man who's wife passed away and it was her dream to have the big tub. He just wanted it to be appreciated. He's lucky he found Jasmine. I can attest to how very much she appreciates this bathtub that is now a part of me.
The heated floors were a bit tricky... fine-tuning and testing each foot of the way.
But she knew there would be trees within me and she wanted their roots to be warm and not freeze during the winter.. not to mention her or her guest's feet (you!)
When the basics were done, she had an old friend come in and custom-fit my brand-new kitchen! Gosh, I felt like royalty. Getting all these hand-picked and custom-built specialty attributes to make me AMAZING! (Eh hem.. sorry, but you know it's true.)
The trees moved in from my cousin, the house down the hill. They no longer fit in there because the ceiling was too short. And since I've got a much taller roof, and a skylight, they were going to come to me!
I love them! They're each now my friends. Unfortunately, one didn't make it. It had a hard time adjusting. Ficus can be a bit picky, you know. We moved him out to the front porch, so he's still with us... just in another phase of his life. The one where he supports life on him rather than the life coming from within.
Jasmine's creative like that, you know. She would sit and talk with us. Moving from tree to tree making sure they each had what they needed to optimize happiness. We feel so cared for.
That's also why I was happy when she asked Christy to care for us too. She also pays such good attention.
I feel like you can feel it as soon as you walk up. The beautiful deck I've got out there to shade both the rain and harsh sun. Oh, and those branch railings? They came from the forest behind the house!
I love that I have my own yard and patio up here. That was Jasmine and Dan. Dan's really the person that helped a lot with putting all of me together. He's so good. And cares so much. You may have noticed that one of the pieces of flagstone just before the stairs looks like Oregon. :) Dan thought that was fun. He pays attention to those little things, you know?
And really... It's the little things that make all the difference.
Jasmine and Dan made sure that I was set up for all the seasons.
At first... I was meant to just be Jasmine's She Shed. A luxury space where she could dance and write her book and create and take long relaxing baths. And during the summer, be in her own little yard complete with a patio.
But she soon realized that it was just such a wonderful experience, she wanted to share me!
That's when she first put me up on airbnb.
I was super excited for this idea since I LOVE that feeling where someone walks in and says: wow. This *feels* good.
It's nourishing, you know? For both of us. And I agreed with her. I wanted more people to get to enjoy me too.
And turns out, I've been a big hit! People love me!
I get that I have some quirks... like the camping potty. But people don't seem to mind. Which makes me happy.
I just love getting to support and nourish and help inspired people.
Plus all the plants get to feed off everyone's breath and warmth! I think they like it when people appreciate them too.
So if this is what I do for the rest of my life, I'll be happy.
It feels like I've found my place.. my purpose in this world.
And it's to be right here, with you.
Thanks for being here!
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or compliments, please don't hesitate to reach out! Jasmine is responsive and takes great care to ensure we are all having the best time of our lives and have everything we desire.
I hope I see you again! But until then, enjoy your journey.
With love,
The Yurt.
