This weekend, I waited in line for two hours at the Heath Ceramics store in Sausalito for a rare factory sale. Products that were not quite up to store standards were discounted, making the set of four coffee mugs I purchased slightly more reasonably priced.
Three weeks ago, my partner and I moved in together. For her, it meant a cross-country move; for me, just a 20-minute walk to the next neighborhood over in San Francisco. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how to thoughtfully furnish a home. We’re still without living room furniture (among other things), and what I thought would be a quick process of finding pieces we liked has turned into a much longer road ahead (to be clear, this is all me – I am particular!).
When I first moved to San Francisco, I lived in the Mission, just down the street from the Heath Ceramics store. I used to walk there most weekends, back when I had fewer friends or no plans. I’d grab a coffee from Tartine Manufactory and browse the home goods and magazine stand. I’d dream about filling my home with Heath plates and bowls and one day having a community to invite over.
Almost without realizing it, five years in San Francisco went by before I bought anything from Heath. We may still be couch-less, but closing the year of long distance between my partner and I and sipping coffee from my new mug is a sweet reminder that time adds a deeper appreciation for the things we have.
