By Jené DeSpain, June 29, 2021
Kelsey, Phil, and I met on a sunny Spring day in 2019 when they were just beginning to explore the process of buying a home. Married for a few years, the two of them had been enjoying living in the heart of the Division corridor, and were wanting to find something with a spacious yard to surround themselves with a tranquil garden. Phil had a rare type of cancer, and they hoped to have as long as possible together in a place of their own to live out their dream of homeownership. I was so touched by their love and enjoyed the times we had together initiating the steps for them to achieve this goal.
As 2020 was a year full of loss for so many, Phil took his last breaths that June. My heart ached for Kelsey. Over the following months I thought of her often, every once in a while sending her a warm hello text. Cancer had deeply disrupted a significant relationship in my life in 2017, and the memory of that pain resonated every time I thought of Kelsey and Phil.
With immense strength and her intrinsic aptitude, Kelsey contacted me this Spring to share the news she was ready to fulfill her and Phil’s dream of buying a home. She wanted to capture the life they had worked to build for one another. I was so honored to have the delight of looking at places with her again. We set out all over the city, taking in sweet houses with big yards. On a gorgeous afternoon, we took in a number of market listings and decided to pop over to a place she and I hadn’t considered, as it had been on the market for a little while. We drove over to the SE home and immediately fell spellbound by the entire property. A charming home on a huge lot, with a grand barn-like garage, and a weeping willow with chickens running around the gardens. It was beyond what we could have hoped to find for her and so close in to central SE. After battling it out with some other buyers, Kelsey’s buying saavy empowered her to advance her offer to the winning position!
Today we had the beautiful experience of closing on her new place. We met there despite the heat (110* today!) and hugged as tears flowed down my cheeks. It has been a long journey for her to arrive home. A meaningful, heartfelt road that I have had the immense delight of traveling with her. The biggest of Congratulations to you Kelsey. Here’s to all the new memories and friendships and stories you will create there. 
