One of our favorite posts in the archive is this one, where we heard from the original owners of our first house. Seeing photos of their family in the house back in the 1960s was unforgettable. We pored over each picture and treasured every detail they shared in their letter.

We were also close to the sellers of our second house, and although we never met its original owners, it was comforting to know the family who lived there for 22 years. So we always hoped to hear from the original owners of our current home. For a while nothing happened… and then it did. We met Chris, the daughter-in-law of the original owners, at an event in Richmond a few months ago. Hugs were exchanged and stories shared. Hearing how much another family loved our house was deeply moving. Chris generously allowed us to share excerpts from a letter she sent along with some old photos, and here are some of her memories.

The house you live in has a long history filled with family memories. My husband’s parents bought it when his father was transferred to Richmond from Cleveland over 30 years ago. They had just become empty nesters and were looking for the right house in the perfect location—somewhere grandchildren could easily visit. One of their grandchildren was even on the way during the move! They bought the house while it was under construction and moved 500 miles. In the midst of that whirlwind they managed to travel to Texas for the birth of their first grandson and later witnessed the births of nine more grandchildren and one great-grandchild while living there. They loved dogs and brought Chelsea, an English Foxhound, with them. After Chelsea disappeared into the woods one day, another dog named Lady turned up and stayed with them for many years.

My husband and I lived in Richmond during the births of our four children. Before our first child was born we adopted a dog from the Richmond SPCA and took her to visit “grandma and grandpa” at the new house before bringing her home.

All of our children remember celebrating Christmas Eve there every year, along with birthdays and other holidays (this photo was taken on the back porch, which you call the converted sunroom, about 20 years ago).

My father-in-law used to place a Christmas tree in nearly every room and decorate them meticulously. He played a game with the kids called “find the ornament” where he would point out an ornament and the children would race to be the first to spot it. He had hundreds of ornaments on some trees. My mother-in-law was an exceptional cook and often invited us over just because she felt like cooking. The kitchen was the heart of the home—used, loved, and full of activity. She spent days baking cookies to take to Virginia Beach, where sometimes all three of her children and ten grandchildren would gather.

There was a cherished antique chandelier in the kitchen that belonged to my mother-in-law’s grandmother. It hung low and many visitors bumped their heads on it at least once. It was removed before the house was sold.

The deck and back porch were additions they made after moving in. They used the porch every day—he would read the newspaper and she worked on needlepoint pillows (this photo shows my mother-in-law presenting one of her pillows to my daughter in the living room).

The tree that once grew through the middle of the deck (the one you removed) was tiny when they built the deck around it. They wanted to keep it for shade, and it eventually became enormous.

It’s wonderful to see how you’ve made the house your own. I love the hardwood floors you installed upstairs and the stenciling you did on the bathroom floor. The room you made for your daughter is where my mother-in-law slept in her later years—she would be delighted to see it brought back to life with such a bright, playful design. The downstairs half bath looks so much brighter and cleaner now. I’m excited to see future updates. Wishing you many happy years in your home! – Chris

We’re so grateful to Chris for reaching out and sharing these memories and photos. It was especially surprising to learn the tree on the deck started as a small sapling. Do you remember how big it was when wehad it removed?

Chris’s note warmed our hearts because it gave us a deeper sense of the life this house has seen—full of grandchildren, home-cooked meals, and holiday traditions. As a bonus, we also heard from Erin, one of the grandchildren who grew up visiting the house. 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 by how beautiful the house looks. I have so many fond memories there and I’m grateful you’ve moved in and posted updates. Thank you for helping me still feel connected to the home and for bringing new life to its foundation. – Erin

It’s amazing how a house can connect people across generations. Have you ever heard from your home’s original owners or found anything unexpected in your walls—like the little treasures we uncovered in our first house’s original kitchen? We haven’t found much here yet—just an old water bill in the bottom of the trash compactor—so we’re curious to see what turns up when we open the walls and redo the kitchen.