The moment that changed everything for her was a mid-century modern front door. It was painted glossy blue accompanied by a blue pot overflowing with pink flowers. The door creaked open. Sunlight pushed in sideways through big casement windows, touching the refinished oak floors illuminating them as if intentionally. It all felt familiar. A dream she once had. Maybe a memory from her childhood. She didn't expect it to happen, but she fell in love right there in the living room looking out onto the flat backyard. Sunshine for days. Three bedrooms. One bonus den that she could easily turn into her library and fill with books, plants and thrift shop treasures. The carpet made it cozy, but she considered maybe replacing it with some terrazzo tile one day. She would put candles in the fireplace and pour wine in tall stemmed glasses and invite her friends over for long evenings of laughter and gossip. It was the kind of space that was always happy even when rain streamed down the windows. She'd never even heard of Briarmoor Manor before. They all told her to look for a house in Grant Park or Decatur. But the lots were so much smaller and the taxes were almost double. This felt like the perfect combination of space, yard and sunshine. Fenced. Ready. A patio. A garden. A pool someday, maybe... She definitely had space to add all the bird feeders she wanted and a fire pit for summer night marshmallow roasting. The crawlspace had already been encapsulated and the roof was practically new. Everything was painted and fresh. The dove grey was elegant and subtle with quartz countertops, stainless appliances and a 36" gas stove perfect for slow Sunday evening dinners and late night snacks. Useful. Warm. She could see herself leaning against the counter, pouring a cup of coffee and reconsidering her to-do list. Is it possible to time the market perfectly? Probably not, but this wasn't a 6 month investment. This was a long term play that would provide her peace, security and all the happiness she'd ever dreamed of. In twenty years, she'd look back at this moment and know: THIS was the smartest decision she ever made. Not because of equity. Not because of tax write-offs. Those were just the spoils. What mattered most was the life she built between those walls. The years well-lived. The rooms well-loved. She didn't see it coming. That moment. The way it slipped in. Quiet. Certain. Like a key turning until it clicked. Like home.