Scrappy House: Donde Estaba Destinado a Estar

Apr 15, 2024
9 min read

The universe works in beautiful ways. Every decision we make, every yes and every no, each spontaneous left turn and each planned right turn, the tearful goodbyes and the exciting hellos, all lead us to exactly where we are meant to be. In the months leading up to my move to Costa Rica, I was preparing myself for this journey to be one I took alone. I was ready for all of the excitement, adventure, and discovery to be something I experienced by myself. I moved here thinking this would be a time I would be on my own, figuring out how to navigate through life as a solo 20 something year old. I figured my mornings would be spent alone, my days alone, and most nights alone. Learning how to fill my time, how to sit with my own thoughts, how to build up the courage to explore new places alone, how to learn a new language, and how to make new friends.

Little did I know what a loving community I would become a part of. I never imagined that I would wake up in a house with a loving family every morning, hugs, kisses, a home cooked meal, and freshly brewed coffee. That I would spend every night sitting in a hammock, having conversations with someone I now called my brother, until I can’t keep my eyes open any longer. That I would even understand or speak enough Spanish to be able to have conversations for hours on end (Thank you, Leo, for the patience you had with me while I learned… those first few weeks were rough). I never knew I would be learning how to make handmade tortillas, the best gallo pinto, and all types of fried plantains with a woman I am lucky enough to consider my second mom, while I listen to stories of her beautiful life, family and their traditions. That I would be spending my evenings swimming beneath painted skies with new lifelong friends, laughing until my stomach hurts and happy tears fall off my cheeks to join the salty ocean. That I would spend my weekends dancing with my girl friends until 2 in the morning then jumping in the ocean beneath the glimmering moon and stars. I had no idea how much of a home Coco would become, or how hard it would be to leave.

I have stared at this blank page for long enough, out of fear that I’m not capable of writing the introduction these people deserve. This incomplete draft has been sitting in my computer for months, but we all know the one thing I’m learning how to do in Costa Rica is to not let fear stop me from new experiences. I suppose this has to include writing blog posts, even if they aren't perfect. And, considering I’ve already moved to a new town, it’s about damn time I finally write about the people who made my first six months a living dream.

So, finally, after a quick six months have come and gone in Playa del Coco, I am so happy to introduce… My second family, my Costa Rican family, the people who made Coco the warmest home, in such a short period of time, the people who made it nearly impossible to leave. The ones who welcomed me with open arms into their beautiful home and family, who taught me language, culture, traditions, and that love exists everywhere. I didn’t know how much I needed a family here, until I met these beautiful people, and they quickly became the biggest blessing on this new adventure of mine.

Sary, my Costa Rican mom, is the vibrant ray of sunshine in the house. She dances on chairs while cleaning the kitchen, sings her heart out to every song, whether she knows the words or not, decorates the empty walls of the house with her artwork, laughs loud enough for the whole town to feel the warmth of her smile, gives the warmest hugs with such intention, and fills the kitchen every morning and evening with the aroma of a lovingly homecooked, fulfilling meal. To know Sary is to love Sary, and I am so incredibly lucky to know and love her soul. Despite any language barrier, each and every single person who has walked into her home has been welcomed with open arms and a nurturing heart. Part of life in Coco is the revolving door of people, connections, and friends who come and go from this little town. Whether the friends I bring home speak Spanish, English, Portuguese, or French, every single one has left feeling the warmth of Sary’s love and light. Her love has no language barrier and has no bounds. It is universal. Her love never falters, no matter the day she’s having, no matter the circumstances, no matter the person, and for that, I will always admire her.

Although my social media and blog posts make life seem like it is sunshine and rainbows here all the time, that’s not to say life abroad hasn’t had its struggles. Even on the sunniest of days or under the brightest of rainbows, I still miss home. I miss my family, my mom, my dad, my sisters, and all my friends. The guilt of being the long-distance daughter constantly creeps in. The stress of finances that come with an unreliable job, wondering if I’ll afford rent for the month or if I can buy groceries this week looms over my head on the daily. The fear of uncertainty of what my life will look like in a year haunts me. The self-doubt, insecurities, worries, and uncertainties of your 20s don’t just go away because you’re living in Costa Rica. The hard days are still hard days. But having my little ray of sunshine in the bedroom next door to remind me that it is okay to struggle, the hard days will pass, and to practice gratitude even during the tough times, was exactly what I needed to figure out this adjustment as a 23 year old in a new country. How can you possibly feel down when you have this beautiful soul dancing in the kitchen ready to give you the tightest hug? Or when she brings out a frozen seahorse from the freezer?! (See photos below…) It’s impossible!

(Note: Don't stop scrolling -- there is more to read after each set of photos!!)

Blowing kisses and saying see you later before I head home to the U.S. for Christmas

Learning how to make patacones!

Happy girls when we're together

Watching sunset together

Sary's birthday celebration! We were walking to the beach with our wine for a bonfire dance

This was my last few days in Coco. I learned a new card game, 'Ron', and became a pro FAST!

The iconic frozen seahorse... LOL

Left my mark on Scrappy House at the famous mural!

Scrappy House is an entire community, with Sary at the heart of it all. The magnet that brings everyone together, and the glue that holds the memories near and dear, imprinted in the walls of our house, even when we travel far. Each person has their own little part in this story -- Wilson, Leo, Esteban, all of the abuelos, tíos, primos, hijos, vecinos and amigos. Whether they were here for a day, a week, months, or a year, memories were made, connections were built, and love was shared.

Leo, my first and only brother, taught a girl who has always lived in a house full of girls, what it’s like to have a brother. To the naked eye, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that we aren’t related, but anyone who spent time with us would even say, “Y’all even fight like siblings.” The brother-sister bond was never something I understood until now, being the middle child between two sisters. While I don’t have to worry about him raiding my closet, he still knows exactly how to get on my last nerve. But he never failed to make sure I, and all the girls, got home safe after a late night… even on Halloween (Erin… Lego… Flippers…iykyk). He never said no when I needed a ride, or someone to talk to, or a shoulder to cry on. And he never, ever said no to tea time. Before he moved away back to Heredia, we spent hours upon hours every night talking, laughing, and plenty of Google Translating in our designated hammock spots for tea time. I can’t imagine how many hours of sleep I lost in those months, but I would never trade a single one of those nights or the relationship we grew together. I have to credit him for a significant amount of my Spanish improvement… although he ditched me as my private teacher when he moved back to the city (*eye roll*).

Brother sister day at Ocotal beach

Ran into this loser at sunset!

Our designated tea time spots

Siblings in the kitchen prepping for Sary's birthday celebration. Her one request - elote!

Leo and Diana eating our famous elote (they were a hit!)

What are little sisters for, if not to make fun of you?

Tic tac toe on the beach (lots of brother sister arguments this day... we're competitive) Featuring Delaney and Sophia love graffiti

Then, we have Wilson. The serious one of the house. The quiet soul who loves Sary’s loud personality and crazy hair. The handyman who fixes the sink and air conditioning, even after exhaustingly long days at work. The one Scrappy eagerly waits for outside the gate at 3:30pm every day, like clockwork, awaiting his scheduled belly scratches. Wilson reminds us, in a house of loud, vibrant love that could shake the world awake, the small, silent love is just as great.

You can always count on Will to flip off the camera

And of course, Scrappy House wouldn’t be complete without our precious upstairs family. Esteban, our sweet adventurer who treats us with fresh fruit plates, warm hugs, and thoughtful words. He has a way of making everyone feel so loved, special, and important. The sincerity of his love for life, this world, and his people is admirable. Yet another friend who became family, in this beautiful community I’m blessed to have been a part of.

Esteban came to support me at my show-stopping karaoke performance

Last moments before I got in the car to leave for Uvita... tears were shed.

Celebratory goodbye boat ride with the best of the best!

This new chapter of my life has been filled with unbelievably beautiful experiences… sunsets, rainstorms, brutally hot days, ocean swims, boat rides, fulfilling meals, a few near-death experiences, deep conversations, late nights, early mornings, lots of work, and life lessons. But the best part of it all, the part that makes these experiences so unbelievably, beautifully special, is the people I have met, the people who I shared these moments with.

I wonder how I got so lucky to find so many genuine friendships in every walk of life. From childhood, to school, to volleyball and university, from Texas to Oklahoma to Costa Rica. How I am so blessed to be able to build lifelong connections with people of all ages, backgrounds, cultures, and stories. How each new friendship still manages to find a way into my heart and into my life like it was meant to be. I suppose when you walk through life with an open heart and an open mind, you receive the love you put out into the world. To me, human connection is the meaning of life. No breathtaking sunset is nearly as awe-inspiring as the ones you watch alongside a loved one. No spontaneous ocean dip is as invigorating as the ones flooded with your friend’s laughter. No fulfilling meal is as delicious as the ones eaten at a table full of family. Life blooms with love when you experience it alongside other people. Life is so much better with people in it. Life is so much better with you in it. While knowing people and loving people fully makes saying goodbye so much harder, oh is the love so worth it. Allow yourself to love, and allow yourself to be loved. The world is full of so many special souls. And I am so lucky to know so many.

Coco, I promise this is just a 'see you later'. Thank you for welcoming me and loving me as I am. Thank you for giving me a second home. And thank you for being such a special place in this journey of finding myself. You will have a piece of my heart forever.