Recently, I purchased my very first appliance since I’ve been living alone. This doesn’t seem to be a big accomplishment in life — but for me perhaps, it’s symbolic.

I remember buying my first refrigerator with my then husband. We bought it from a local company in the scratch-and-dent section. We were young and didn’t have much money. But, I think that fridge outlasted our marriage of 16-ish years.

The next set of appliances I purchased were for a home that I shared with someone I was living with. We had been living in a place with appliances; however, with a raise in rent it was decided we move to something more practical. The only problem was that appliances weren’t included. We went together and picked out a refrigerator, dishwasher and stove. Mind you, I was a single mom who made a fraction of what my partner did at the time, and I said I would purchase the appliances. There was no argument — just a simple ok, and I had a credit card of debt while still paying half the rent and utilities. I wanted a gas stove, but since there was no hookup, I was forced to have an electric stove for the first time in my life! I hated it at first but learned to live with it — again, maybe this was perhaps symbolic.

The stove I bought for us many, many years ago began to fail around the same time as our relationship. We tried to repair the stove several times — the most recent in 2018. This stove, even on its last leg, would still outlive our relationship.

So fast forward…and all men are gone. I’m currently living in the house I bought on my own and recently replaced that electric stove that I was never really happy with. And I bought a gas stove!!! It is my first appliance purchase without having to consider anyone but myself. I never thought I’d find myself alone at this point, and it can be somewhat sad at times, but at this point, it’s rather liberating!