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In his 2007 Billboard hit single “Home,” by the album of the same name, Chris Daughtry stirs in all of us the longing to go home…”to the place where we belong.” Regardless of where life or travels take us, there’s no better feeling in the world than the sense of home and belonging when we arrive. Daughtry goes on to assure us that “home” is that “place where love and feeling good don’t ever cost a thing.” In most cases, it’s the people who have prepared for our arrival as much as the place itself that make us feel right at home.
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My husband and I were offered a rare opportunity to be “welcomed home” last week…to a place we’d never been before – Big Sky, Montana. The place immediately took our breath away (literally initially as the altitude caught us off guard). The majestic peaks of the Madison Mountains and Spanish Peaks, along with the singular awe-inspiring beauty of snow-capped Lone Peak. The babbling brooks, stunning golf course and of course the star of the show – the big sky – all had us mesmerized. But it was the effort and generosity of our hosts that truly made us feel at home. We were welcomed with personalized gift bags, soft robes in our rooms and the open arms of friends who meant it when they said “make yourself at home.” Daughtry was right – the love and feeling good didn’t cost a thing.
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Nantucket has that same effect on people. As we pulled back into the channel after our short time away, I had the exact same sense of being welcomed home. It’s a strange phenomenon, a harbor filled with someone else’s boats…a shoreline dotted with the homes of friends, acquaintances and perfect strangers…a “skyline” dotted with buildings dating back to the 1800’s…all uniting in perfect harmony to serve as the welcome committee.
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Ultimately, beyond the stunning landscape and historical charm, it’s the people of the island who truly make us feel we’re home. The little mason jar filled with flowers from our friend at Ventuno that sends the message “I’m so glad you’re here.” A big smile and friendly greeting at Holdgates Laundry where quickly they know you by name. The countless service providers from landscapers to cleaning companies, nail salons and hairstylists, who go the extra mile in the personal attention they give residents and visitors of Nantucket. At Lee Real Estate, we pride ourselves in our “higher level of service” as we welcome both first time visitors and multi-year repeat tenants with personalized notes, gifts and detailed pre-arrival assistance with all elements of their Nantucket experience. The message is simple…please make yourself at home.
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There are a number of ways you can experience a sense of home on Nantucket. Stop into The Bean for your favorite cup of joe, slide onto a barstool at the Nantucket Pharmacy for an egg salad sandwich with a chocolate cone chaser or simply slip quietly onto the bench outside the Pacific National Bank where the birds eye view down Main Street allows you to soak in the cobblestone streets, historic storefronts and wide variety of people who have discovered a place where they belong.
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Welcome Home!
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