L.I.G.H.T. House Is the B.E.S.T.

For me, the L.I.G.H.T. House has always been a welcoming place of comfort, acceptance, silliness and balance. I know when I come home, I will be greeted by people who are happy to see me, people who make me feel comfortable and appreciated. When I enter this home, I know I am in a safe space where I feel seen and heard. It is also the genuinely funniest and coolest group of people on campus. The L.I.G.H.T House prioritizes mindful and intentional living within its members and aims to extend this mindset into the greater campus community.  

The L.I.G.H.T. House is a theme house that stands to light a path to promoting a healthy lifestyle for individuals and the community, in both local and global arenas, centered around the ideas of balance and awareness of self. Through yoga classes, mindfulness meditations and workshops, we seek to provide a safe space for members of the community. Each week, we host one meditation, three yoga classes, and an average of five workshops.  

My relationship with the L.I.G.H.T. House has changed over my time here at St. Lawrence. It has gone from a safe space that hosts fun workshops that I like to attend and a place that promotes my mental health with weekly meditation to my home. A community of people that I not only feel lucky and excited to come home to, but I am proud to come home to.  

I walked home in the rain after a long day, my jacket soaked and water dripping down my back. I walk a little bit faster, holding my hood so the wind doesn’t pull it back. I know I’m almost there; I can see the front porch steps and a soft glow coming from the windows, just a little farther. Hurrying even more, I finally reached the door and pulled it open, almost falling into the entryway.  

Immediately, it hit me: the difference between the inside and the outside. Pulling off my jacket, I am greeted with soft, warm light and friendly faces lounging on couches; a beautiful chorus is softly playing in the background. I let out a breath; I’m home.  

I walk home in the sun, and before I even reach the house, my face breaks into a smile. I see two of my housemates lying on the grass on the front lawn, chatting and listening to music, soaking in the rays. One is drawing for pleasure, the other for homework.  

I stop to talk for a minute before heading inside; I plan to join them outside and do some homework after I get some water. As I head into the kitchen, I pass the window, looking out at the side porch, and I smile again. More people I love! Other housemates and friends are hanging on the porch, draped on chairs and the couch, talking and laughing and enjoying the half-shade/ half-sun moment. They pull me over – “How was your day? What are you up to now? Come join, come join! Do you want to get dinner later?”  

I am walking home late at night, and it’s snowing, large flakes floating lazily down around me like magic. My friends and housemates are with me, skipping through the street and marveling at all the beautiful snow. I stop and look around. The street lamps illuminate the snow and show how much is actually accumulating on the ground. I will make a mental note to bring up sled club at the next house meeting. I look up, and snowflakes get in my eyes. I blink and laugh because I should’ve expected it but didn’t. The air smells so good – fresh and cool and sharp.   

Suddenly, I felt an arm through mine, pulling me back to the moment and up the street. As we got closer, we stopped and took a picture of our beautiful L.I.G.H.T. House, the windows glowing in the snowy night.   

Once inside, we cozy up on the couch and eat snacks, talking and laughing about our evening. It’s good to be home.  

The bottom line is it’s more than a theme house: it’s a home. A home full of light and love.