Weddingbee Blog

Like most newlyweds, Mr. Parasol and I are excited about building a home together after we get married.

Image via Laure Larsen Photographers

For us, though, this step is particularly exciting because Mr. Parasol and I have never lived together before, so our newlywed home will be our first home. The decision to not live together before marriage was a very personal one, and one that we made after a lot of careful discussion. But even though this was the right decision for us, we are beyond thrilled that, in just over a month, we finally get to start making our first home together. After three years and nine months, we are so ready.

Anyway, Mr. Parasol headed to Los Angeles a few weeks ago in the hopes of finding the perfect newlywed apartment for us. We’ve both had a lot of experience with apartment hunting in the past, and so we know that it is never easy. It always takes much longer to find that perfect place, and the whole process is usually pretty riddled with stress. For any of you who’ve lived in the Bay Area or New York City, I’m sure you know exactly what I’m talking about.

Given our experiences in the past, as well as the fact that we are moving to another populous city, Mr. Parasol and I assumed that this particular trip would be the first of many. Imagine my surprise when he called me in the middle of the afternoon and said, “I think I found us an apartment.” I was pretty apprehensive at first. Maybe he found us an apartment, but did he actually find us the apartment?

Well, let’s see how this apartment stacks up against our requirements. Here are our apartment must-haves:

• Parking space
• Garbage disposal
• Second bedroom OR extra space for Mr. Parasol to have a study nook
• Plenty of closet space (I basically told Mr. Parasol that I wanted a full closet to myself.)
• Full shower with bathtub
• Lots of natural light
• Decent sized kitchen
• A living area that is big enough to serve as a living room and dining room
• No more than $1,500/month total
• Close to UCLA campus
• Safe, nice, and relatively quiet neighborhood

We were also crossing our fingers for a dishwasher and a washer and dryer, but those weren’t actual requirements for us.

Here’s what the apartment has:

• Garage parking space
• Garbage disposal (I’ve never lived in an apartment with one! Score!)
• Den
• Kitchen closet, linen closet, and huge walk-in closet in the bedroom that has more than enough space for both of us
• Shower and tub with a glass shower door (No more shower curtains!)
• Lots of natural light and a patio
• Large kitchen with lots of counter space and cabinets
• Gigantic living area
• In the $1,300/month range
• About a five-minute walk to UCLA
• Gorgeous neighborhood that is right across the street from a large cemetery, so our neighbors are very quiet
• A dishwasher!
• Laundry facilities on every floor

I heard all of this, and like Mr. Parasol, I was pretty much sold. Then he told me that there is an In-N-Out Burger two blocks away, and I knew this apartment was destined to be our first home. A few hours later, Mr. Parasol filled out all the paperwork and dropped off the security deposit and first month’s rent, and the apartment was ours.

Thankfully, I was able to make a trip to Southern California to see Mr. Parasol and attend another friend’s wedding recently and, while down there, I visited our apartment. I forgot to take pictures when we actually moved Mr. Parasol’s things into the apartment, so it’s very sparse, but still full of possibilities.

And so, hive, I welcome you to Casa Parasol!

Yes, that is a counter where we can put bar stools or set up a buffet when our friends come over to watch the Superbowl with us. / Personal photo

Sorry for the terrible light. The living room doesn’t have overhead lighting, but we’ve secured some much-needed floor laps. / Personal photo

Mr. Parasol welcomes you to our master, er, only bedroom! / Personal photo

I think I’ll be able to get used to waking up to this view. / Personal photo

Now we just need to get Mr. Parasol a BBQ for our patio! / Personal photo

Our beautiful and (mostly) quiet street / Personal photo

First side of the walk-in closet… / Personal photo

…second side of the walk-in closet! / Personal photo

Mr. Parasol’s study nook / Personal photo

Practicing my 1950s housewife look for some reason / Personal photo

Two thumbs up for finally having a dishwasher! / Personal photo

As you can see, I’m already settling into our bathroom. / Personal photo

Silly Mr. Parasol!/ Personal photo

Mr. Parasol and I know that this is far from the nicest or fanciest apartment ever, and it’s certainly not where we want to stay long term. But right now, none of that matters. This apartment is all ours, and we can’t wait to make it into our very first home. And some awesome wedding pictures would really jazz this place up, don’t you think?

Now it’s your turn, hive! Tell me about the first home you shared with your significant other!