Hey guys!

I guess it is time for me to do my first post.  Later on I’ll detail the history of the house, but I’ll start with how Rachel’s and my dream of Edge Hill got started.

As little boys, Daniel and I would often discuss who was going to live where when we grew up.  For some reason (likely beaten submission) I didn’t put up much of a fight when Daniel unequivocally said he wanted mom and dad’s house.  That left me on the hunt.  I had always liked my grandparent’s limestone house on Lee Street in Woodstock, but one day when I about 12 years old we went to dinner at house that dad was buying as a part of a new farm.  The previous owners were good friends of the family, and we got a tour of the house with all of the architectural details highlighted.  I fell in love.

In my fourth year at Virginia I took a class with Architectural Historian Richard Guy Wilson focusing on early american architecture, and for my final paper in the class I did a study on the property, and I think that was when I made my decision; one day I would live at Edge Hill.  But who would want to live there with me?  As you have seen, the house isn’t quite move in ready.  What young woman would want a life in the country in a run down house where what doesn’t work far outnumbers what does?
Enter Rachie.  As most of you well know, Rachel and I met my first year of law school, and a little over a year later we were engaged.  What you may not know is that as a little girl Rachel also had an interest in historical homes.  Well maybe more than an interest.  She would full on dress the part in colonial garb while volunteering at Sully Plantation.  JACKPOT!

I don’t remember the exact first time I took Rachel, but I remember two reactions: Shock and Awe.  The place was in such a rough state that it was hard to believe it could be livable, but the potential was also shining though the cracks in the plaster.  At that point, I began experimenting with a 3D design program called google sketch up.  Though the design process, Rachel and I began to envision a home where we could grow old together.  Literally.  We are using ADA standards for the bathrooms so we can wheel each other around if that ever becomes necessary.

The only loose end with our dream was the timing.  When Rachel and I got married, we weren’t sure what we would be doing three months later, she was deciding on law schools and I was job hunting for after the bar.  Well, two years down the road it seems that fate took control and here we are, both working in Harrisonburg and jumping head first into life at Edge Hill.  It seems that the only one who has no worries about this whole process is Afton, who spent a hour this morning harassing the cattle and sprinting in her new yard.  Now if only mom would get here already!