Sammamish View Apartments

Washington State has some very fun-to-say place names like Snoqualmie, Issaquah and Sammamish. Much like Maryland, many of the place names in and around Seattle are Native American in origin, it’s just more challenging to try and pronounce them.

Part of moving, of course, is finding a place to live. Microsoft’s relocation package included 30-days of temporary housing and a 10-day car rental upon arrival so Calvin and Vicki began their apartment search in advance of moving. They had the car covered since Vicki’s Honda was being shipped from Maryland. They decided that they would try living with just one car as Calvin planned to use public transportation to get to work.

About a week before departure, I came home from work and Calvin said he had news. He and Vicki had rented an apartment. It was one he had showed me about a week prior, a garden apartment community with a view of Lake Sammamish, two bedrooms, two baths and less than a mile to work—he could walk. Now this was one of those classic Mom moments, when I SHOULD have said, “That’s great news! I’m so happy you got the apartment you wanted.” BUT instead I said, “You did what? Rented an apartment without seeing it first? What if it’s not nice? What if all the furniture doesn’t fit? Did you get the dimensions of the rooms? I would never rent an apartment without seeing it first!”

The look on his face was wounded puppy. He said, “Gee mom, I was proactive and made an adult decision on my own. And it’s not like Vicki and I didn’t do our research. It’s the largest apartment we could find within our budget and there was only one two bedroom unit available for August, which is what we need. I thought you’d be happy for me.”

I WAS happy for him. I’ve actually never rented an apartment in my life so how would I know whether or not I’d rent one without seeing it first, given the same circumstances. It’s just that the “Mom knows best” urge erupted before I could think about it. Well, sometimes the Mom just has to remember to butt out. And apologize.

After all, the apartment is nice and all of the furniture fits. Thanks to laptop cameras and the power of the Internet, I’ve had the grand tour. It has a great kitchen, an amazing balcony and there really is a view of Lake Sammamish. Plus, I get to say Sammamish.