Pierre Proves the Emotional Value of a Home

I learned so much about people through our recent work with Dr. Robi Ludwig, the noted psychotherapist who helped us understand what makes homeownership a part of who we are. Among other things, Dr. Robi described the human need to put down roots and our desire to be viable parts of a community. Our home provides emotional and psychological benefits that go far beyond financial returns. I couldn’t agree more.

My boys with their buddy, Pierre

Our home provides emotional and psychological benefits that go far beyond financial returns. I couldn’t agree more.

My wife and I are HUGE roots people. And ours run deep. By buying our home we came to love our neighborhood and have benefitted greatly as our neighbors have become much more than people who live close by. It’s been described as the Coolidge Street Gang. One family is the Sulmonts (Greg, Adeline and their kids Marguerite, Elisabeth and Pierre). But they are moving. Not around the corner, not to another state. But to Singapore. It has broken our hearts. And they leave tomorrow.

You see, Pierre is our 10-year-old son Matthew’s best friend in a big brother sort-of-way. You know the type. A caring kid who has been around our family forever – since before preschool – and is essentially a part of us. He’s gone so many places with us, shared so many fun times. And as the youngest of three, he had the maturity to serve as a role model to Matthew and our youngest, Michael.

Pierre was the one who gave Matthew the confidence to ride his bike for the first time and to get through his first sleepover. He is the one who showed up each morning to walk with Matthew to school. Always happy. And a joy to be around.

And so as our tears flow (my wife and Adeline had a good cry today), Pierre leaves for Singapore. We will have a “last lunch” with him tomorrow (his choice) and I’m sure we will cry like babies as they pull away for Kennedy airport.

Of course they are not gone forever. The boys already have plans to Skype. Marguerite is staying for college and Elisabeth plans to return to the U.S. for college in 2013. But clearly being half-a-world-away is a friendship test.

As I write this, I am admittedly tearing up. But I’m also smiling. Our home and where we chose to live allowed us to enjoy these great friends and spend 10 years with a kid named Pierre who changed our lives. He is living proof of the benefits of roots and commitment to the neighborhood. As we say goodbye to Pierre, it’s living proof that a home leads to much more in our lives than just a place to sleep.

Good luck Pierre. We will miss you

 

Senior Manager, Public Relations & Giving for Coldwell Banker. Grew up in Sarasota and attended college at Western Carolina University. Athena wanted to wake up in that city that doesn’t sleep so headed to Madison Avenue to start her marketing career. She has been with this awesome brand for more than 15 years and can be found generating buzz about CB in every way possible. Athena helps to grow the brand’s position as the most storied real estate company within the industry and has led many high-profile endeavors; she was at the forefront of the brand’s pioneering smart home campaign, raised $6 million in two years to build 130 Habitat for Humanity homes, and led the Homes for Dogs program in partnership with Adopt-a-Pet.com that resulted in tens-of-thousands of dogs finding their furever home. She currently leads the CB Supports St. Jude program, which encourages the Coldwell Banker network’s 96,000+ real estate agents to make donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital for every real estate transaction they represent. In her spare time, you can find her either digging up a new area in her yard for another flower bed or planning her next travel adventure. She's the proud mom of three cats Jolene, Ziggy and Lucy.

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3 Comments

  1. Elizabeth Castelda
    June 15, 2012

    Wow! I love stories like this because they are rarely heard these days. What a powerful impact your families have made on each other, especially the positive influence the kids have had on each other.  Here’s to Neighbors!

    Reply
  2. Rob Siltanen
    June 15, 2012

    Great story.  Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  3. Diann Patton
    June 15, 2012

    Thanks for sharing David.  It’s wonderful to have amazing people like this in our lives.  And now you’ve a place to stay in Singapore!!

    Reply

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