Tammy's Tidbits

Today, we listed our river house for sale. It feels surreal to be at this point, but it also feels right. When Patrick and I first met, we were two divorced people, raising kids and just trying to get by financially. The thought of ever owning a home seemed like a far-off dream. But Patrick worked tirelessly and made many sacrifices along the way, even selling his beloved truck, so that one day we could make that dream a reality. Eventually, we found ourselves in a riverfront community—a place that, at the time, felt like our future retirement home. And we made it our home, pouring our love and effort into it.

For years, we commuted together to work, driving two hours round-trip each day. We managed to navigate the hustle and bustle, but everything changed when I was offered a property management job that included an on-site manager residence. This opportunity shifted our living situation, transforming our river house from our primary home into a weekend getaway. For over a year now, the house has been a peaceful retreat, but we’ve come to realize that we and our kids don’t visit as often as we’d hoped. Life has pulled us in different directions, and we’ve learned that our retirement dreams now lie elsewhere.

It’s bittersweet. The river house has been a special place for us—a symbol of hard work, perseverance, and hope for the future. But the time has come to pass it on to someone who can truly make it their own. It’s not just the house itself, but the memories we’ve created there that we’ll carry with us forever.

This journey has been an overwhelming one. Patrick and I have spent countless hours going through every part of the house, sifting through our lifetime’s collection of things. The process of deciding what to hold on to and what to let go of has been surprisingly emotional. There were moments filled with laughter and moments where we shed a tear or two, realizing just how much we’ve accumulated over the years. But ultimately, we’ve made peace with the decisions we’ve made. The lightness we feel now—both physically and emotionally—is something we know will benefit us moving forward. (And hopefully, our kids will appreciate that we did this now, so they won’t have to go through the same process when we’re gone one day.)

With the sale of the house, we’re stepping into the future with a deep sense of relief. Our hard work is paying off, and we’re heading into an exciting new adventure, one that we’re ready to embrace with hopeful hearts. The river house will always be a part of our story, but it’s time to turn the page. Onward to the next chapter!