A Note From Me from March 2025

There’s something profoundly satisfying about transforming forgotten spaces with intention—creating beauty where it may have been overlooked. I’ve experienced this firsthand, especially with our side yard renovation, which was once nothing more than a forgotten corner, hidden behind a wall to reduce landscaping costs when we transformed our front yard.

For a while, I dreamed of having a garden in this house. Growing up, our garden was more than just a space for plants; it was where my family and I shared labor, love, and memories. Yes, sometimes it felt like "child labor," but looking back, I can’t help but smile at the images of my siblings and me planting, tending, and harvesting with our parents. I remember the vine-ripened tomatoes we picked which my mom would cook into homemade red sauce for the holidays, and my dad letting us use his mini ax to chop down the towering sunflower trees before winter. The garden was a place where we grew as a family.

As a Realtor, it was only natural to want to develop every inch of our land. Real estate can sometimes be about quick fixes, but I wanted more. I wanted to create a garden to share with my children—a space where we could plant and watch it grow, just like I did when I was younger. In the fall of 2023, Ben encouraged me to take the leap and create what we now call our “secret garden.” With the help of trusted contractors, the space has slowly blossomed into a sanctuary for me and my family.

Yes, we have a sandbox, plenty of toys to dig with, and a thoughtful patio for enjoying the mountain views and afternoon shade. We can gather around a fire pit, project movies on the wall, and make s'mores. But, most of all, we have a beautiful garden that evolves with each season, alongside the people who help plant it.

I’ll never forget the joy on my children's faces when they picked their first carrot or discovered one of the watermelons that had ripened during our Indian summer. And, I still giggle thinking about the artichoke that came back from seed after a year. It’s a reminder of how patience, care, and nurturing can lead to something truly beautiful.

A garden is a metaphor for so much in life. It’s a reminder that what you sow is often what you reap—whether in friendships, family, or in business. I’m still planting in all of those aspects of my life, and I hope you are, too.

I’d love to hear how you’re developing and nurturing the spaces in your life, whether it's your home, your relationships, or your business. Sometimes, the most rewarding things come from spaces we thought were forgotten or overlooked.