My parents finally paid off their home after 30 years.
Over those years, they had made several renovations to the point that I barely recognize my childhood home.
As I returned to visit them, my sense of nostalgia began to fade as the house changed. I still question their most recent renovation, which was to replace their central air conditioning device with a multi split air conditioning unit. From what I can see, a multi split air conditioning device involves multiple small units that are spread throughout the house, which provide cool air in the same way that a window A/C device might. In contrast, a central air conditioning unit has air vents spread throughout the house that push out air that comes from a central air conditioning unit, usually stored in some sort of closet or other such closed-off space. The house has made due with a central air conditioning device for all its existence, so I was shocked that they decided to downgrade it to an inferior approach. Their rationale was that they don’t often go upstairs, because their family room is on the first floor, so having a central air conditioning device providing air for up there was a waste. I still feel that making the switch to a multi split air conditioning device likely decreased the value of the home. I remain unconvinced it was a sound long-term decision. I wish they had consulted me before making such a significant decision like this, but maybe they knew I would disapprove.