The Best Bad Advice I Ever Gave

How I tried to talk Loren out of Browns Point… and how that turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened to us.

Back When We Were “Just Dating”

Long before we were married, Loren told me he wanted to buy a house in Browns Point.

And I, being young, practical, and absolutely certain of myself, said something like:

“Browns Point? Isn’t that… kind of far?”

I quickly saved myself with the classic not-married disclaimer: “We aren’t married so you do whatever you want.”

I genuinely thought I was being wise and reasonable.

Spoiler: I was not.

He Bought It Anyway… Thankfully

Loren didn’t listen (bless him), he bought his first house in ’99.

We didn’t get married until 2001, and that’s when I joined him.

It didn’t take long to realize Browns Point wasn’t “far.”

Federal Way? Three minutes away. That’s where I grocery shop and where a few of our favorite restaurants are. Downtown Tacoma? About 15 minutes.

So much for “remote wilderness living.”

Finding Our People

When we first moved in, our street leaned older. Quiet and predictable. Then came Gracie, our golden retriever. You could not walk that dog without meeting someone new. She was basically our social coordinator. Add two little boys building forts and riding bikes, and suddenly we knew everyone within a six-block radius.

When the boys were little, the Center at Norpoint became my second home. The kids club ran from 9 to 12, and that’s when I trained for my half marathons and marathons while surrounded by this amazing group of women doing the same thing. We’d swap stories about our training, our kids, our lives. Center at Norpoint was such a special place at that time in my life.

That small-town feel snuck up on me.

Running into people at the local grocery store? Honestly, most of the time I love it. There’s comfort in familiar faces, quick catch-ups, and that feeling of belonging.

Other times… well, you’re in leggings from 2008, your hair is doing something you did not approve, and suddenly you’re seeing half the PTA in aisle five.

But even then – it’s still community. And it’s still good.

Moving to Our “Dream Street”

We were casually looking at homes in 2013 – nothing serious, just keeping an eye on what was out there. But then we found this house, and everything stopped.

Staying in Browns Point wasn’t even a question. We loved the people, the community, the location… all of it. This place had become home. But finding a house that we actually wanted to move into? That was the hard part.

And then this one showed up.

Here’s the thing that still gives me chills: I used to run past this house for years. Every time I passed it, I’d admire it. The colonial style, the beautiful blue-gray color, those candles in every window – it was just beautiful. I had no idea I was literally running past our future home.

We weren’t looking for it. It found us.

And now… we do live here. Tell me that’s not a full-circle moment.

Raising Kids in a Community That Wraps Around You

The move to our dream house in 2013 did mean one big change: we needed to switch the boys’ schools.

I absolutely loved Browns Point Elementary. It was such a great fit. But when it came time to think about where Max and Cole would go to school, the decision became practical. Max was heading into 3rd grade, Cole was starting kindergarten, and our new house was literally across the street from the other elementary school in the community. I didn’t want to drive them every single day – especially with Cole just starting his elementary career.

So we made the move, and honestly? Change is hard, and I loved where they were.

But after talking to friends and meeting neighbors at the new school, I realized it was going to be great. Max already knew kids from sports and community activities, so he had some familiar faces. It was fun watching him spend time with kids he hadn’t been around as much, and he settled in quickly. Really quickly, actually.

It ended up being a gift – two different school communities, two sets of friendships, both rooted right here in Browns Point. And those connections lasted. That’s what real community does.

What Makes Browns Point Browns Point

Over the years, I’ve realized what makes this community so special.

Browns Point is surrounded by the Puget Sound. A quick drive or walk and you’re standing by the water – breathing in that salty air, watching the ferries, chasing sunsets.

And Mount Rainier. I arranged our furniture so we can see it from the house, and I absolutely love it. On clear days, I take a million pictures of that mountain. There’s something magical about living in a place where the mountain shows up like a postcard, and from your living room no less. After all these years, I still find myself stopping to stare.

That combination – water, mountain, small-town feel – it’s rare. And it’s ours.

The Big Realization

Who wants to admit when they’re wrong? Not me. But here we are:

I am so glad my then-boyfriend didn’t listen to me.

That decision I tried to talk him out of? It became the foundation of our family’s story.

This community gave our boys the best childhood, introduced us to lifelong friends, surrounded us with views and nature that never get old, and created a place that feels deeply like home.

Browns Point isn’t just where we live.

It’s where we were meant to be.