The Shack That Almost Wasn't (Part 1)

In May of 2013, Scott and I called and made an appointment to see a house that was for sale in Volunteer Bay, Vermilion, Ohio. At this point, we had been visiting Volunteer Bay every summer for the last 7 years because Scott parents have a place there. We already knew we loved the community and had been discussing getting a place to call our own for a while. We were actually in Volunteer Bay the weekend before and did not even realize this house was for sale until we got home and started looking online. As you can see, it was quite forgettable.

Despite the fact that it was not the best looking house in the neighborhood, we decided to make an appointment to see it. I don't think either of us really thought we would actually buy it, we weren't ready. But the thing is, when a house goes up for sale in VB it doesn't last long. And it's not often a house will even hit the market in the first place because they are usually passed down through families or sold to friends. We let curiosity get the best of us and called the realtor.

Our appointment was Memorial Day weekend 2013. It was the end of May and a very uncomfortable 43 degrees out...all weekend. The cold was actually a blessing because the smell of the house wasn't as pungent as it would have been if it was a typical 80 degree day. See, this house was known as the "cat house"(hence, The Catty Shack. It's a nod to the past). The previous owners not only had a ton of their own cats but would feed all the strays as well. I'm not totally convinced any litter boxes were provided for these poor felines inside the home because the entire house smelled of one giant litter box. Before we saw the inside we were told by many people that this house should just be torn down (foreshadowing!). We took our chances.

We entered and both Scott and I immediately fell in love. After seeing the next few photos you might be thinking we are both crazy, you'd be right, but we like to see beyond the dirty and disgusting and see the potential of what we could make it. I saw how I would change this house to be exactly what I would want so clearly that I knew it had to be ours.

This falling apart, disgustingly dirty house mixed with an intense aroma of cat urine? Who wouldn't run home and make an offer? Normal people, sane people, that's who. Being that we are not normal or sane, we made an offer, an insultingly low offer. Of course the sellers declined but we were fairly confident no one in Volunteer Bay would purchase it so it would sit for a while. Then we would strike again after the seller's realized no one would buy this shack.

A couple weeks later, we got a telephone call that someone made an offer and the seller accepted. We were devastated. We missed our chance on having our own little piece of Lake Erie paradise. And then a miracle happened. Volunteer Bay is an association and to become a member and own a home you need to be approved by the Board. There is a whole interview process. After the wannabe buyer asked a few sketchy questions and presented a few shady scenarios, the Board declined to grant his membership. The shack was back on the market. We wasted no time putting in a more reasonable offer and the seller accepted almost immediately. Oh yeah, and the board granted us membership because even though we might be crazy enough to purchase such a run down house, we are upstanding and kind citizens, although sometimes one of us runs around in our pajamas.

Even though the ride gets really bumpy from this point on, the story of how lucky we were to have everything play out the way it did always reminds me that this was meant to be. This property was destined to be ours before we could even dream it. That makes all the hard work, the worrying, the fear, the sacrifice, all worth it. Because at the end of the day The Catty Shack has nothing to do with a collection of 2 x 4s and shingles. This is a place where my children will make their fondest memories, where their children will grow up playing and swinging and riding bikes, where our friends and family will gather to waste away those perfectly lovely warm summer days. This is the place our dreams reside and I still can't believe it is ours.

And this is where you expect the unexpected. To see the rollercoaster ride that is up next, check out part 2.