The blush-pink home, constructed in 1860, is a living monument to love, memory, and the strength of stewardship, nestled in a peaceful area of New Jersey. Its story, which was shared with the r/centuryhomes community, is profoundly personal and goes beyond architecture. Although a young couple now resides there, they have a deeper bond with the house than just chance. It’s tied to childhood memories, a fateful sale, and a friendship that blossomed into family.
A Childhood Memory Comes Full Circle
The husband’s bond with the house began when he was just a boy mowing its lawn while growing up on a nearby farm. Decades later, amid waves of overdevelopment in the area, the pink house went on the market. Out of curiosity and nostalgia, he attended the open house—never expecting what came next.
The longtime owners, Lynne and her husband, recognized his name on the sign-in sheet and reached out. They weren’t looking for just any buyer—they wanted stewards who would love the home as they had. When they asked the young couple what they could afford and heard the number, they accepted it immediately, moved more by heart than market value.
From Neighbors to Family
That sale sparked a bond that quickly deepened. With no children of their own, Lynne and her husband warmly “adopted” the couple, sharing stories, laughter, and memories—including tales of their own wedding held in the backyard, where a rose bush still blooms each year.
In September 2024, the young couple followed in their footsteps, marrying in the same backyard with Lynne and her husband as honored guests. But joy turned to sorrow when Lynne passed away just two months later after a battle with ovarian cancer. Her memory now lives on in every corner of the house—and in the roses that still bloom where she once said “I do.”
A Promise Painted in Pink
The couple now works patiently to restore their 165-year-old home on 1.1 acres, including an 1840 barn. The house, a rare blend of Greek Revival and Italianate design, still has its original wide-plank floors and charming wraparound porch, both needing care and attention.
For this couple, the pink house isn’t just a place to live—it’s a living promise. It carries the spirit of Lynne and her husband, the history of generations, and the hope of a future shaped by care. As they restore each corner, they remind the r/centuryhomes community that a house becomes a home when it’s built not just with wood and nails, but with love.