Much of my childhood was spent walking the river valley with my family, always with dogs by our side. Today, I have a family of my own: my husband, three children, and, of course, a couple of dogs who keep us grounded.
Our first home together was a 1961 gem in Rio Terrace, purchased in 2009. We fell in love with the neighbourhood before we even stepped inside. The tree-lined boulevards and proximity to the river checked every box for us. The home itself was full of charm and quirks: white shag carpet, metal kitchen cabinets, and kiwi-green bathroom vanities. I believed it would be our forever home, the place where our future children would grow up and make lasting memories.
What I did not expect was how much work we would pour into it. One renovation led to another, and soon we were deep in upgrades. As our family grew, the unfinished projects became overwhelming. I made the difficult decision to move to the suburbs, where we found more space but lost the sense of connection we had built. I grieved that loss for years.
Then something incredible happened. One day, after telling my husband I believed we would someday return to Rio Terrace, I received a text from a former neighbour: our old house was up for sale.
The news was bittersweet. The wonderful man who had purchased our home had passed away after a battle with cancer. While our hearts were heavy for his family, we also felt an unexpected opportunity to return to a place we had never truly stopped loving.
We saw the house the very next day. The moment I walked through the front door, I hugged the wall. In that instant, I realized I might be just a little crazy, but I also knew we were coming home. No inspection. No hesitation. We knew that house better than anyone.
That experience reminded me how powerful it is to truly love where you live; to feel rooted in a home, a neighbourhood, and a community. I have felt both the joy and the heartbreak that can come with buying and selling a home, and that has deeply shaped how I support my clients today.
Although my career began in education, real estate had always been quietly calling me. Even in high school, I wanted to learn more about it, but I was encouraged to pursue a university degree first. Looking back, I have no regrets. Teaching was an incredible journey that shaped who I am, allowing me to guide, encourage, and advocate for others through every stage of growth. Now, I’m excited to bring those same qualities into this next chapter.
With a thoughtful, thorough approach and the support of a knowledgeable team, I aim to make every journey clear, empowering, and personal. My mission is simple: to make sure no one feels left behind.
With every home I help buy or sell, I also give back by supporting HART (Humane Animal Rescue Team) and Kids Kottage because helping people, children, and animals have always been at the heart of who I am.
