Touching Story Amid a Bathroom Remodel

on April 9, 2009 at 6:00 AM

bathroom

Had to share this heartwarming story that unfolded during a bathroom remodel.

Kathleen70 and her husband were tearing up their bathroom for renovation. When her husband tore out the old tub surround, he found a note left there 20 years earlier by Kathy's first husband, who died in an accident 5 years after that tub surround was put in.

Here's the message they found:

Photo by Kathleen70

"I had no idea it was there," says Kathy. "I think everyone in the house had a tear in their eye."

Read Kathy's Cool find post yourself over in the Design on a Dime Moms group.

(Thanks, jennmarie77)

+++ What about you? Do you write messages or let your kids write messages on wall board or floorboard when you're renovating? Have you ever found a hidden message?

About the author Sheri Reed

is a writer and the Entertainment, News & Sports editor for The Stir. She loves a good film, watches lots of good TV and follows Ryan Gosling's every move because she has to -- for work.

Filed Under: bathroom, renovating

Comments (20)

Mina2904

on Apr 9, 2009 at 7:49 AM

I think its sweet that her first husband left that for her without her knowledge. Although he's gone, he still left his love for her behind... even if it was under the tub the whole time. LOL

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kat1116

on Apr 9, 2009 at 8:10 AM

My name being Kathy and having lost a fiance several years ago that made my heart stop a little. I have tears in my eyes for her. What a sweet little reminder that even after we die we have an impact on the ones we love.

jennmarie77

on Apr 9, 2009 at 9:05 AM

Thanks for blogging on this. I think if we all take something from this, take a moment when doing a remodel to leave a note whether it's under a tub or under flooring you are laying. You never know who may see it.

phyll

on Apr 9, 2009 at 9:40 AM

Very touching, indeed. I've got goosebumps!

Answering the question of whether anyone or their kids have left messages, I distinctly remember doing that as a kid. My parents would also let us put our names in the concrete when they poured driveway or sidewalk slabs. So far my children haven't had the opportunity to do such.

Thanks for sharing this story!

Cafe MicheleZ

on Apr 9, 2009 at 10:37 AM

Ditto on the goosebumps. What a lovely story!
I once painted the tippy top of my kitchen cabinets with my and my ex's initials. I've since moved out of that house, but I wonder if it's still there.

mckenzy

on Apr 9, 2009 at 11:34 AM

How Romantic!

LuminousMom

on Apr 9, 2009 at 1:10 PM

Aww thats sweet... my hubby hid a few messages like that in our house while we remodeled.. the kitchen floor (under our new wood) is a giant heart that says "I <3 Kristin"

Just_Clowning

on Apr 9, 2009 at 3:14 PM

That is so sweet. We have only ever put our names in concrete areas. My daughter works in construction and leaves silly notes all over the place when they are doing a new gas station.

angelicmssngr

on Apr 10, 2009 at 5:00 AM

Never have done it but I think I will have to start!! Wonder how the recent hubby feels?

Nonmember comment from Rita

on Jul 19, 2010 at 9:41 AM

We were remodeling the attic bedrooms of our home. This is the home I grew up in. When my husband removed the paneling he found my handprints that my mother had traced when I was two years old. She had traced my hands, written my name and date.