This post is in partnership with Kathy Davis, an artist, author and lifestyle brand.
HHello, friends! A year ago, before we actually moved here, we dreamed of creating a room just like this. We imagined a welcoming space where friends and family could stay to enjoy the city or simply catch up. This guest room is more than a bedroom—it’s a symbol of why we wanted a place for visitors and how family ties brought us to this point.
It was over eight years ago that our family began to turn in an unexpected direction. In 2009 my husband lost his job, and after a stressful year of unemployment and uncertainty we moved with our son Luke from Portland, Oregon to Washington so my husband could start a new church.
2009
We relocated to a peninsula in the Puget Sound region, about three hours from Portland and from extended family. Courtney was finishing her senior year of high school, Kylee had recently married and begun college, and Luke was in second grade. The move fulfilled a dream for my husband and brought meaningful changes, but it was difficult in many ways.
One of the hardest parts was that our three children no longer lived in the same city. The separation broke my heart, and it was painful for our daughters as well. Within six months, however, they made a surprising and selfless choice. Along with our oldest daughter’s husband, they left their lives, friends and plans to move to Seattle to be closer to us and, most importantly, to Luke.
Living in Seattle put them just over 1.5 hours away, and for years they crossed the water every weekend to spend time with their brother and attend church with us. Their willingness to adjust their lives to keep sibling relationships strong taught me so much about devotion, sacrifice and family maturity.
As the years passed and the kids graduated and started careers, our lives grew busier. Two years ago Courtney began working with me full time at The Inspired Room. As our business evolved, the inconvenience of living in separate cities sometimes made collaboration difficult.
Last spring, as Luke finished eighth grade, we felt another change approaching. With only a few years left before he might head to college, we looked for ways to shape a life that would keep our family close. After prayer and careful thought, we chose to move again—this time across the water to Seattle.
Ten months ago we settled in Seattle to be nearer our children. Leaving our previous home and the life we built there was not easy, but the move has been worth it for bringing our family together.
Being closer has changed everything. What used to be a 1.5 hour trip is now a ten-minute drive. Spontaneous family dinners, shared work time, quick help when it’s needed, and more sibling hangouts for movies and dog play have all become part of our daily life. Those everyday moments have enriched our relationships in ways we couldn’t have anticipated.
We can’t predict life’s ups and downs, and change often brings challenges. But change also gives us a chance to refine how we live and to create a life we love in whatever season we’re in. This guest room has become a meaningful part of that life—both a practical space for visitors and a tangible reminder of our family’s journey and priorities.
We look forward to more family adventures this summer and have already welcomed relatives from Portland to stay in this pretty guest room. It stands as a connection between where we came from and where we are now—a reminder to pursue relationships, find joy in the journey, and keep the door open for the people we love.
The Kathy Davis brand believes everyone has a right to “Create a Life They Love.” Through expressive painting and hand-lettered messages, their products—from greeting cards to gifts and home and fashion items—encourage connections and heartfelt moments.
How are you creating a life you love? I’d love to hear your story in the comments!