This is the strange tale of the house that waited for our family.
Mon mari and I have had many different addresses. In several different countries. When I was expecting our first baby we were in a lovely sunny flat in Paris. Great, I hear you say, and it was, but we wanted trees, we wanted countryside, we wanted more… So by the time number 2 was on the way we found ourselves renting a beautiful orangery in Normandy. This was lovely too, in the middle of an oak forest, but when I was expecting number 3, we were ready to buy, and things got serious.
Finally an agent called and I was invited to look at the details of a horrible ugly little house, “MAIS NON !!! I cried, this is not what we had in mind.” Luckily, he was called away for a long phone call and I was left with his pile of forbidden property files! Obviously I started going through and, lo and behold, found a picture I liked. “VOILA!” I exclaimed to the harassed agent when he came back into the office. He looked worried, left the office and returned with Monsieur le Directer. They explained that it was not possible for me to see the house because it belonged to a big local family, and because my husband wasn’t with me that day, and because and because…..
I persuaded them that I was capable of visiting a house without mon mari being present, so against their better judgement off we went.
What can I say? that evening I told mon mari I had found the place we needed to raise our children, and that night was filled with sweet dreams.
The estate agent hadn’t finished surprising us; he wouldn’t take our calls, let alone inform the owners of our offer!
Weeks passed, and by chance a friend introduced us directly to the owner of the house. A large and complicated family, who wanted to sell one day, but not necessarily the next. Mon mari handled everything brilliantly, but it took a long long time, and our fourth baby en route. Yes, a very long time – two whole years with nobody else interested!
Some things are just meant to be. We may now be here forever and see our children married in the garden, or we may pick up sticks and live another adventure in a far off land. We will always be glad that the family has grown up here. It may sound foolish but I believe that this house has loved looking after us as much as we’ve loved looking after it.
43 comments
Oh I did love this story.
I always say that our cottage is the fifth member of our family. Just after my husband, myself, Edward and Apple! A most happy family indeed.
what a wonderful story. you are so gracious to share it. you may have many readers (me included) who say, 'please e-mail me if you EVER decide to sell your beautiful home.'
What a great story! I guess you can say persistence paid off for you. Your home is lovey and jaw dropping.
I just found your blog and will be following along now. I look forward to seeing more about you, your family and your incredible home!
XoXo
Gail
I loved hearing how you stayed with her until she was yours. Perseverance paid off for you!
Your home is lovely-surrounded by gorgeous gardens. I can tell that your home is well loved.
Sharon !
Belle vue de votre propriété de ce côté aussi !
Les agents immobiliers font exprès de nous monter des maisons horribles, pour qu'après on se décide pour une autre qui veulent vendre !
Bonne soirée,
Céline.
Beautiful home! What a great gift to your children to grow up there. I can see many weddings and other events in that gorgeous garden.
Oh, your home is so beautiful! I really enjoyed hearing your story about how different the real estate market is over there. I would have been so discouraged. I am very happy for you that your perservance won out! I'm adding you to follow and cannot wait to come back to see more of your beautiful home.
You are lucky! Such a great home – worth waiting for 🙂
Hi Sharon. Wow…you brazen hussy! I'm impressed! Will make mental note to be very assertive and patient if ever looking to buy real estate in France! It is absolutely gorgeous. Though I would prefer gray stucco/French, my husband came home soon after our youngest was born and said…"I saw this big white house on a hill…" The views and tall ceiling sold us, so we put up with its numerous idiosyncrasies. Thank you for you story! Trish
That is a fantastic story, and such patience! I've only read in books about the hassles of buying in France and Italy, but it's lovely to hear the real deal in bloggyland and know that it really is true! Thanks for sharing that Sharon, and I really do believe that houses choose their owners…yours clearly got lucky!
what woman wants….je ne sais ce qui est le plus beau,la maison ou le jardin?biz.val.
Your home is a wonderful house and I have liked very much to read your history.
Hugs,
Cecilia
Sharon, This is such a wonderful story and I can just imagine that your heart jumped out that day you saw the photograph on his desk.
Mine did too, when we found a beautiful old home in the country. Unfortunately, we are not there anymore. Oh I wish we were.
But my memories are still very clear when I walk around the misty gardens in my mind.
Have a wonderful, wonderful week.
xxx Coty
It is a beautiful home in a beautiful setting.No wonder you fell in love with it!
Carolyn
A great story! And a great house!
Oh Sharon
What a wonderful story… perseverance! It's so funny to hear that they actually did't want to advertise…how do they ever expect to sell??? Glad you snuck a look at the 'Forbidden Files' as she is a beauty…. Almost brings a tear to my eye.. to think of life in a beautiful country home surrounded by nature….[I say this as I look out onto a concrete carpark]. the overriding feeling I get looking at your photos is peace and beauty…. wonderful… Have a lovely weekend Sharon and thanks for sharing both the photos and your story… xxx Julie
What a wonderful story! It is the most perfect property, just gorgeous!
What a great story…I love hearing romantic tales like these, although I'm sure it was far from romantic during those two long years! We actually swapped houses with the then-owner, and it took six months of finacial woes (on her part), stress and uncertainty before it was ours. But I knew all along it was meant to be, so it was worth the wait. Thanks for sharing the beautiful story of your absolutely beautiful house! K xx
What a wonderful story! Your home is absolutely beautiful – it sounds like it really was meant to be.
Dearest Sharon,
this is such a wonderful story! I have avidly read it. The house is just THE PERFECT HOME, I do love the climbing ivy, the white shutters, I must admit I love everything about your house! And you, 4 children, a house like that, horses,dog…do you ever seat down and have time to relax? I think there's always something to look after (inside and outside). I really esteem you deeply Sharon. Fra
Oh sharon – i feel like i have opened a wonderful novel….'you will see' your children married in that gorgeously, beautiful garden because i do believe that the house chose you & would want to be part of your families life forever…what travels you've had & how wonderful for you children- all having little different 'parts' of france in their make-up….it's soo lovely to hear how aware you are of its 'perfect-ness' -2 years was so worth the wait- and i'm sure the moments of anguish & frustrated tears….may pop past for a wine on those ivy covered back steps one day…
melissa x
so beautiful! thank you for sharing your story with us. Came to you via Our Suburban Cottage:)
I am LOVING your house! I am going to follow you so I can see more of it when I have time. I love all things French & I live in an American version of a French Country house. I plan to write about mine & join the party at Our Suburban Cottage. My husband & I will be visiting France for the first time in just a few weeks. Can't wait!
What a nice story and you told it in such abeautiful way!!! You have been patient, but now…you truly can enjoy your dreams home!
It's enchanting!!!
Happy week end!
Vale
Sharon, what a great post. I love that you love your house and you feel that it looks upon your family the same way. When you love a house that much it is meant to be!!! I hope you live a good long time in your special place and that your children's children will be able to visit you there as well. What a special place indeed!!
Jeanne:)
Sharon, great, beautiful, family home. I was browsing your blog and you have to go look at mine and how it got it's name. My heart with pleasure fills. You are only the second post that has had the poem quoted. A Canadian and now you! …. and dances with the daffodils. Bonne Nuit.
I just enjoyed your blog for the last 15 minutes…..and I'm sure I will for some time…..I'm following instantly.
Sharon,
This is a very nice story! I do believe that some things are meant to be happen and this house was waiting for your family!
Sharon the house is just stunning! It is also my dream of one day coming to live in France!
xx
Greet
PS I posted the picture you asked for!
French estate agents are unbelievable, in more ways than one, we had a very similar scenario when we bought our house.
So glad you got the house, I am sure you will have many beautiful years in it.
XX
Fab story Sharon, although quite the opposite to us. We were actually drugged & abducted in the dead of night by dodgy Real Estate Agents. They forced us to sign a contract I have no recollection reading!!! You & your beautiful house were meant to be together, it was written in the stars.
Millie ^_^
Every time I see a photo of your house I feel I am about to enter a wonderful story or film. I loved this story. Please please tell us some more.
Sharon what a fab post and I laughed about the real estate agents. I must write another post for my other blog which is about the house we bought in Provence… What a nightmare but it was still a house that was meant to be. You have inspired me – I shall have a go. Hope I make it up to Normandy one day to see it in person.
A 🙂
Bonjour! Very glad to discover your blog. A bientôt, @nne
Oh my, these wonderful pictures make me daydream of vacation. Gorgeous place!
Hope your weekend is great so far. A big hug for a wonderful new week! xo
Sharon,
Please share more stories of the house…hurry please please?
Those of us not so fortunate to live in such a place are peeking in the windows.
Suzan
Oh Sharon, I love this post! You have such a beautiful house, I do hope you decide to post more photos of it.
What a story! The French are so quirky… but in a good way. You were meant to find that house. You really are living the dream that so many of us dream of! One day I will come and stay and the piece de resistance will be meeting you!!!!
What a charming story. Absolutely love it.
Best,
Gloria
Sharon
I really love your story, for few seconds it`s like a little book. Wonderful story, wonderful home.Enjoy all your dreams!
Wonderful written,beautiful home indeed.
Some things are just meant to be. I think. You are very lucky
Very interesting story. In the descripotion, the first person or rather refer to yourselves 31 times in that short passage of 325 words. Such a shame in an otherwise interesting journey.
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