Today I’m switching gears to share news about my new workspace and the big life change of moving in with Mark. Mark—known on Instagram as @DaFunkShow—officially moves to Minnesota tomorrow, and I couldn’t be more excited. After more than nine years apart since high school, we’ve finally decided to end the long-distance chapter of our relationship and live in the same place. For anyone who has been in a long-distance relationship, you know it takes real effort: planning visits, packing and unpacking, and the many hard goodbyes. It’s been challenging, emotional, and ultimately worth it.
Long distance required constant communication and adjustments. At first it was rough—there were nights I cried several times a week—but over time we learned how to keep things honest and consistent with video calls and daily check-ins. Communication was the key. After about a year of managing long distance, we both agreed we were ready to live together and sleep in the same bed every night. That decision lifted a huge weight off my chest, and after six months of planning, the day is finally here: I get to welcome Mark into our home in Minnesota.
We’re both excited to share a home and resume the simple pleasures of being together day to day. For me, it also means adjusting to having a roommate again after two years of living solo. I’ve grown used to arranging my space just the way I like it, but I’m ready to compromise and make room for both of our needs. Our apartment is about 1,300 square feet with an open layout, so we have plenty of wall space and room to create distinct areas—one of the things I love about this place.
For my home office, I chose a ladder desk I spotted during a West Elm sale. The ladder-style desk fits perfectly in a compact area and adds height and storage options without overwhelming the room. Even full price, it’s a reasonable desk compared with many options, and the fact that West Elm offers in-home assembly made the purchase even more appealing. I’m planning a full home tour once we’re settled, but for now my desk sits adjacent to the kitchen, which is ideal for balancing work and life at home.
Plants and greenery are a must for my workspace—adding fresh life and color makes the area feel calm and productive. I already own a chair from West Elm that I’m moving from the second bedroom to the desk area. While Mark jokes that it’s not the most ergonomic option, I find it comfortable and stylistically perfect. One of my shopping habits is waiting for sales; I rarely buy things full price, and I happily snagged this chair during a promotion.
One of the first compromises we made was assigning the second bedroom as Mark’s office since he’ll be working remotely. That works well for both of us: he has a dedicated, quiet workspace, and I get to design my desk nook near the kitchen. We’ll continue to refine our layout and share furniture so the apartment feels like home for both of us.
I’ve received many messages about my setup on Instagram, so I’ll post product details and alternatives once everything is in place. If you’re shopping for a compact home office, ladder desks, small-profile chairs, and strategic greenery are all great choices. Keep an eye out for seasonal sales—I’ll probably pick up a few finishing touches when West Elm runs promotions around major holidays.
Thank you for sharing this milestone with me. I’m looking forward to creating a comfortable, functional home and sharing more photos and a full tour soon. Wishing you a happy weekend—and if you’ve ever navigated long-distance love, I hope your reunion is as joyful and rewarding as ours feels right now.