At 30, I became friends with my 78 year-old Airbnb host. She's taught me key life lessons that help me feel less anxious about the world.
My husband and I met Judy and Evan after booking their adorably blue Airbnb home in Ontario.
What we thought would be a typical Airbnb stay has blossomed into a long-lasting friendship.
They've taught us that we can build a family away from home and not to take life too seriously.
Imagine entering a beautiful, suburban home where everything is blue. From the rugs to the teapots to the dishes, paintings, and chair cushions. That's what happened to me and my husband last summer, when we booked an Airbnb for a weekend getaway in Prince Edward County, Ontario.
Not only were we greeted by this omni-blue house, we were welcomed by Judy and Evan, a couple, both 78, with infectiously positive and friendly energy.
Judy instantly made us feel at home, letting us know that we could use any space in the house. After our first night out, we came back, planning to tiptoe to the bedroom like courteous guests, but Judy and Evan were still up and invited us to join them in their living room.
Before we knew it, we were chatting away for hours until midnight about everything from our families to our wedding to politics, food, and travel. It felt like we were around family.
Fast-forward a year. Judy and I text often, exchange recipes, and she calls her and Evan our "Canadian grandparents" since my husband and I are immigrants from India with no family in Canada.
We spontaneously visited them last month while in the area. Judy made us lentil buns and we all sat munching on them in their sun room chatting and, once again, losing track of time.
It was during this visit that I realized how much their presence means to me, even in the short time I've known them.
During that last visit, I asked Judy about whether she always knew she wanted children, and how I, as a 30-year-old woman, sometimes feel the pressure to decide.
She joked, "You're so young, and you know it takes only nine months right?" She's helped me see life from a remarkably different perspective and feel more relaxed, something I have a hard time doing as a millennial.
I always feel like I'm on a clock, competing against some unknown entity, and going after the next thing. Living in a big city like Toronto has only amplified these feelings.
Judy and Evan's wisdom and attitude toward life, however, have helped me understand that we should remember to enjoy the moments we have and not take life so seriously.
As an immigrant, homesickness is just a reality I've learned to deal with. However, meeting Judy and Evan showed me that I can build a family in a different country.
Their generosity ensures that we never feel out of place. They invited us to their home for a stay this summer and offered to book our park passes in advance.
We're always cautious not to overstay our welcome. Like when Judy invited us to their Father's Day barbecue, I tried to politely turn it down, saying we didn't want to intrude on their family gathering. She said, "Come on, you know me better than this by now."
Living in big cities, my husband and I somehow lost the art of talking to strangers. Being open to sitting with Judy and Evan for an after-dinner conversation and spontaneously showing up has led to a beautiful friendship and taught us how to be more social.
We're taking more short trips outside Ontario to experience the small-town charm. On almost all of these getaways, we've met people sitting next to us at restaurants, while walking, in a shop, or at Airbnbs.
By simply making a small first gesture such as smiling or giving a compliment or asking someone seated at the next table what's good to order, we've been able to meet wonderful people.
Not only did Judy and Evan teach me how to connect with people, I hope I can pass on this friendship and warmth to others.
As we get ready to see them again, I am already excited about all the things I'll tell Judy, how loudly she'll laugh, and how insignificant all worries about my millennial life will feel.
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