May 2020 we celebrated 2 years at our little 100 year old farm house. It’s the first house that we didn’t slap a “for sale” sign on after a year of occupancy. This is a pretty big deal for us, this farm is the 3rd house we purchased in a 5 year span. We moved A LOT!
Our little home was a disaster when we purchased it, to say it needed work was a understatement. We eagerly got to busy with renovations both inside and out. But these renovations were different than any other renovations you may see on HGTV. Not only were we working on creating a home together, we were also working on us together.
Much like this old house, Zach and I go WAAAYYYY back, like all the way to cooties on the playground days. We have a rich history with many stories both great and not so great. Just like I imagine the stories that live in the walls of our 100 year old home.
Prior to purchasing our little farm, we were living out of state. In all our years together this was our first time living together full time. Zach had always worked on the road and was only home on occasional weekends for many years.
It was in that short move out of state that I discovered the love of my life, the man who I thought I knew inside and out was struggling with addiction.
Of all the things we have went through this was by far the most challenging moment in our relationship.
It almost broke us
But, because of our faith, love and close family and friends we made it through the roughest storm we’ve ever experienced.
When we purchased this little old place, it was so much like us. It was old, broken, and in need of some sturdy repairs. It needed us to see the gem that was hidden under all the rubble. It needed care, love, creativity, gallons of Lysol (ok that our relationship didn’t need) and a lot of elbow grease.
We knew it wasn’t going to be easy. But nothing wonderful in life ever is.
Restoring the beauty back to this old place has helped restore and heal the wounds in us. We love creatively coming together and working as a team to build the life for our family that we prayed for years ago.
When I look at these old rusty flower pots I found hidden in the barn I see us. I see beauty growing out of something that could have easily been thrown aside and forgotten about.
It’s a simple life we have created together.
Every foundation can be rebuilt no matter how terrible the damage. You just have to care enough, focus on the beauty in the progress and have faith the outcome will be worth all the hard work you put in.
love and peace
xo- Ashley
Simply Grace 