I have always been intrigued by older homes. Maybe it was because I grew up in a very old home or maybe it’s just the southern girl in me. I had heard the story behind my sister-in-law (M)’s family home and while it’s an interesting story, it affected me deeply. Her father was a farmer, as was common in Alabama, and had a gorgeous antebellum type home. Through the years, her parents raised their three children in that home and they all knew it was a treasure to keep in the family.
Unfortunately, things change, family dynamics change, and this house and the many acres of property changed hands to someone outside of the family. She clearly did not appreciate the beauty and history and tradition, and let it deteriorate….badly. After the father’s death, the children knew they had to get that house back.
When I moved here, one of the first things I did was drive a few miles to see this house. I took a few pictures because the house just had a story and I wanted to tell it.
Families have a way of digging deep for the important things. Through many court battles, selling off land, and lots of prayer, the house and a few acres returned to the family. M’s brother and his wife sold their comfortable home in a gorgeous neighborhood to live in a trailer on the property so they could restore the home. I remember the day I was driving by and saw the American Flag flying from the upstairs balcony. I knew something exciting had happened FINALLY and this home would be returned to it’s former glory.
This past weekend, I had the honor and privilege to photograph the house. Leigh Ann has done an AMAZING job with the decorations and restoration.
In fact, it was the perfect setting for some special Christmas card photos.
These are various pictures from the S farmhouse.
The original house.
Family picture. The house is now back in their hands.
One of the original doors. Leigh Ann lives by these words which is why people are just drawn to her.
Patchy made the transition from previous home, to trailer, to new home rather well. He’s quite the king of this castle.
I can’t really express how it felt walking through the house when it was all decorated for the season and knowing the history. I’m so thankful that I got to spend some time in this space and within these walls. Call me crazy, but I promise I heard the walls sigh in contentment…..
Or maybe that was me.