Our Story

“The only constant in life is change.” — Heraclitus of Ephesus (c. 535–475 BCE)

That wise Greek philosopher is credited with saying those words over 2,000 years ago. As a science teacher, it became a bit of a mantra in the classroom. Life changes constantly. Sometimes slowly, sometimes in ways we don’t want, and sometimes in ways we choose. But change keeps moving whether we’re ready or not.

When we look back on our lives, we see it everywhere — in the mirror, in our growing children, in our aging pets, and even in the celebrities we grew up watching. School years, careers, marriage, raising a family, and eventually retirement. Through most of those seasons, we walked side by side, supporting each other along the way.

Then we reached a point where we could see a new chapter coming. And for once, we had the chance to shape it on purpose.

The House and the Seed of an Idea

We raised our children in a home with property that served us well for many years. But once the kids moved into their own adult lives, the house began to feel larger than we needed.

When we first bought the house, the previous owner was 85 years old. He told us, “The last 10 years here have been miserable. Too much work. We should have sold when we were younger.”

Those words stayed with us for 25 years.

As we got closer to that same stage of life, his comment echoed louder. We were healthy. We had dreams of travel. We wanted more time with family and a more affordable place to live. The question slowly shifted from why would we move? to why wouldn’t we?

So we decided to sell the house.

Priorities and Planning

Our first priority was our children — making sure they were launched and doing well. As they began building their own lives internationally, it gave us even more reason to stay flexible. Visiting them would be easier without the responsibilities of maintaining a large home.

Next came retirement. Thankfully, our pensions provided stability, and the house would help supplement our future. Staying in California long-term, though, would stretch things financially.

The decision wasn’t rushed. It was layered, thoughtful, and practical.

The Work Behind the Decision

Our house wasn’t market-ready. Years of deferred maintenance had stacked up. After meeting with real estate professionals, we rolled up our sleeves.

Weekdays, weekends, holidays — we worked on projects. Some jobs we hired out, but many we tackled ourselves. It took a full year after retiring to prepare the house.

During that time, I reconnected with my sister. She generously offered us a “base” at her place in another state. That gave us an address and a place to transition toward. We rented a storage unit and began sorting through 40 years of married life.

That process was both emotional and exhausting. Every box held memories. We kept what truly mattered, donated what could bless someone else, and slowly let go of the rest.

We rehomed our farm animals — goats, chickens, ducks — to loving families. Our cats came with us, of course. They’re family.

We made four road trips and three plane trips to manage the move. It wasn’t simple, but it felt purposeful.

Selling the House

When the house finally hit the market, it was a cooling market. We stayed realistic but fair. We weren’t willing to be taken advantage of, and several early buyers walked away when negotiations didn’t go their way.

That was discouraging.

At one point we even told ourselves, “If it doesn’t sell, we’ll stay.” Even though many of our belongings and animals were already relocated, we refused to make desperate decisions.

Interestingly, once we stopped feeling rushed, things shifted. Previous buyers returned. One couple felt like the right match for the home and the property.

Nearly a year after listing, we had a closing date.

They were excited. We were at peace. Waiting for the right buyers turned out to be the right decision.

We packed our final items, said our goodbyes, and handed over the keys with full hearts and no regrets.

Where We Are Now

The future ahead is a bit like muddy water — not perfectly clear, but moving in the right direction.

This change wasn’t impulsive. It was intentional, planned, and guided by our priorities. It also reminded us how many people play a role in big life transitions — family, friends, neighbors, handymen, realtors. We’re grateful for all of them.

Could we have done it alone? Probably.
Would it have been harder and slower? Absolutely.

Why We Share

We share this journey because change can feel overwhelming, especially later in life. But it’s also where growth, freedom, and new experiences live.

We’re not experts. We’re simply two people willing to step into a new season with open eyes and open hearts.

And if you’re sitting at your own kitchen table wondering about your next chapter, you’re not alone.