One of our favorite posts in the archive is the story about hearing from the original owners of our first house. It was a joy to see photographs of their family in the home back in the 1960s. We examined every photo, delighted in each detail, and treasured the memories they shared in their letter.
We were also on friendly terms with the people who sold us our second house, so while we never connected with that home’s original owners, it felt special to know the couple who lived there for 22 years. Naturally, we hoped to meet the original owners of our current house as well. For a long time there was no word — and then, unexpectedly, we did hear from them. A few months ago at an event in Richmond we met their daughter-in-law, Chris, and it turned into a warm reunion. Hearing how meaningful a house is to a previous family is such a gift. Chris kindly allowed us to share excerpts from a letter she sent along with several old photographs, and we’re thrilled to pass some of her memories along.
The house you now live in holds a long history of family moments. My husband’s parents bought it more than 30 years ago when his father was transferred to Richmond from Cleveland, Ohio. They had recently become empty nesters and wanted a home in the perfect location where future grandchildren could visit. In fact, the first grandchild was on the way while they were moving in. It was a hectic time: they bought the house while it was still under construction and relocated from 500 miles away. Despite the chaos, they managed to travel to Texas for the first grandson’s birth and later welcomed nine more grandchildren and one great-grandchild during the years they lived there. They were devoted dog lovers and brought their English Foxhound, Chelsea, to Richmond. After Chelsea once disappeared into the woods, another dog, Lady, wandered home with my mother-in-law and stayed for a long time, much loved by the family.
My husband and I lived nearby during the births of our four children. Even before our first child arrived, we adopted a dog from the Richmond SPCA and took her straight to visit “grandma and grandpa” in the new house before bringing her to our own home.
All of our children remember this house as the place where we celebrated Christmas Eve each year and gathered for birthdays and other holidays. In one photograph, taken about 20 years ago on the back porch — the space you now call the converted sunroom — you can see the warmth of those gatherings.
My father-in-law used to set up a Christmas tree in almost every room, each one carefully decorated. He invented a game called “find the ornament,” where he would point out an ornament and the children competed to be the first to spot it. Some trees had hundreds of ornaments, so it could be quite a challenge!
My mother-in-law was an extraordinary cook who hosted not only for celebrations but anytime she felt like preparing a meal. The kitchen was the heart of their home — well used, well loved, and filled with the smells of baking. She often spent days making cookies to bring to Virginia Beach, where sometimes all three of her children and ten grandchildren would gather.
There used to be an antique chandelier in the kitchen that was especially precious to my mother-in-law; it belonged to her grandmother. Although she adored it, it hung low enough that most visitors bumped their heads on it at least once. That fixture was removed before the house was sold.
The deck and back porch were additions they made after moving in. They used the porch daily — he would read the newspaper while she worked on needlepoint pillows. One photo shows my mother-in-law presenting one of those pillows to my daughter in the living room.
The tree that once stood in the middle of the deck — the one you later removed — was tiny when they first built the deck around it. They kept it for shade, and over the years it grew surprisingly large.
It’s wonderful to watch how you’ve made the house your own. I love the hardwood floors you installed upstairs and the stenciled pattern you added to the bathroom floor. The room you decorated for your daughter is where my mother-in-law slept in her later years; she would be delighted to see it filled with new life and playful touches. I also admire the transformation of the downstairs half bath — it looks brighter and much cleaner now. I look forward to seeing the future improvements you make. Wishing you many happy years in your home — Chris
We’re so grateful to Chris for reaching out and sharing those memories and photos. It was surprising and touching to learn that the deck tree was once tiny — do you remember how large it had become by the time we had it removed?
We realize this letter might not move everyone the same way it moved us, but for our family it felt deeply heartwarming. Learning about the life the house has hosted — full of grandchildren, home-cooked meals, and countless decorated Christmas trees — makes us appreciate our time here even more. As an added bonus, we also received a note from Erin, one of the grandchildren who grew up visiting the house. Here’s what she wrote:
I’m one of the ten grandchildren of the original owners of your house. My mom shared your blog and I’m blown away — the house looks wonderful. I have so many fond memories there and I’m grateful you’ve moved in and shared photos of your updates. Thank you for helping me stay connected to the house and for bringing new life to its foundation. — Erin
Isn’t that lovely? It’s astounding to form connections with people who are essentially strangers, yet who feel a shared affection for the same place. Have you ever been contacted by a home’s original owners, or discovered anything unexpected while renovating — like the hidden treasures we found under the old kitchen cabinets in our first house? We’re eager to see what turns up when we open walls and tackle the kitchen here. So far, the most surprising find has been an old water bill tucked into the bottom of the trash compactor.