A Michigan couple who transformed their home into a vibrant purple cottage were left speechless when an anonymous neighbor sent them a handwritten note.
Maureen Clemons, 35, and her husband, 36-year-old Mike Peck, began painting their three-bedroom, one-bathroom bungalow in the vibrant city of Royal Oak during the COVID pandemic.
‘We wanted something to distract ourselves and make us happy,’ Clemons told Newsweek.
Over the course of a week, the couple committed to their final design choice – unique lavender purple paint, replacing the home’s former blue-green exterior.
‘We picked purple because it felt bright and joyful,’ Clemons added. ‘We were going for a cute cottage vibe.’
With such a one-of-a-kind home, attention was inevitable – often arriving as spontaneous compliments from those passing by.
‘A couple biking by started chanting, “Go purple! Go lavender!”‘ Clemons said.
‘Someone even stopped to tell us how happy the color made her – it brightened her day,’ she added.
A Michigan couple who transformed their home into a vibrant purple cottage (pictured) were left speechless after receiving a mysterious handwritten letter – and a gift – from a neighbor, clearly moved by their color choice
Maureen Clemons (right), 35, and her husband, 36-year-old Mike Peck (left), began painting their three-bedroom, one-bathroom bungalow in the vibrant city of Royal Oak during the COVID pandemic, inspired by a shared vision of creating a ‘cute cottage vibe’
But the most unforgettable reaction came when the couple opened their door to find an unexpected note and a nostalgic gift from a neighbor known only as ‘Chris’ – a worn copy of the nostalgic children’s book Mr. Pine’s Purple House.
The fictional book by Leonard Kessler is about a man on Vine Street determined to make his house stand out from the 49 others lining the block.
The note read: ‘Hi, a while ago I was walking by your house when you were painting.
‘It reminded me of one of my favorite books from childhood, that celebrates individuality.
‘I could not remember the exact name, but after some searching I was able to find it. I hope you enjoy the story,’ it continued. ‘Hopefully you won’t mind that it’s well read.
‘Happy Holidays. Your neighbor, Chris.’
‘We were overwhelmed,’ Clemons told Newsweek but added: ‘We never figured out who Chris was.’
Clemons recently shared the heartfelt story in TikTok video writing: ‘We painted our house purple and our neighbor left us this book and note. Sometimes humans are so cute!!’
For one neighbor, the home was more than just unique and pretty – it seemed to serve as a reminder of childhood and the enduring freedom of the inner child to be authentic (pictured: handwritten letter that came with the worn-out children’s book)
The most unexpected reaction to their purple house came when the couple opened their door to find an unexpected note and gift from a neighbor known only as ‘Chris’ – a worn copy of the nostalgic children’s book Mr. Pine’s Purple House (pictured)
Clemons explained how the gift made them ‘overwhelmed’, emphasizing how deeply moved they were by the gesture
Clemons’ tattoo lovingly captures the three bushes lining the home, a heart on the door and siding, the deck framed by small black railings – just like the real thing – and a puff of smoke shaped like a heart rising from the chimney, all etched forever onto her arm (pictured)
She shared photos of the house, book, note and tattoo and wrote in the on-screen text: ‘I cried.’
It has now racked up over two million views.
And Clemons has gone one step further to cement her love for her purple home – she has gotten a tattoo of it.
The tattoo – inked by an artist who, unbeknownst to her, had previously snapped a photo of the home – features nothing but the cozy purple cottage itself.
It lovingly captures the three bushes lining the home, a heart on the door and siding, the deck framed by small black railings – just like the real thing – and a puff of smoke shaped like a heart rising from the chimney, all etched forever onto her arm.
To complete the artwork, the words ‘I want to go home’ are inscribed just beneath the house.
‘I just got a tattoo to remember the house and moment,’ she added, accompanied with a smiley-face emoji.
The viral response on TikTok took Clemons by surprise – she described the engagement as ‘crazy’.
Mr. Pine’s Purple House, by Leonard Kessler, is a fictional chapter book about a man on Vine Street determined to make his house stand out from the 49 others lining the block (pictured: Clemons and Peck)
With over 3,000 comments, viewers shared how deeply the story made them feel connected to those around them.
‘He gave you HIS copy of his favorite childhood book?? sobbing,’ one user wrote under the post.
A second added: ‘Human connection is the meaning of life.’
‘The joy you brought to your neighbor by simply following your own bliss,’ another wrote. ‘You never know your impact. I’m so glad they shared this.’
Chiming in, a user said: ‘Your actions for your own joy encouraged someone to look into a picture book from their youth.’
‘Sometimes I forget that this is the whole point. I’m literally crying. This is so sweet,’ wrote another.
The purple home – now valued at a staggering $337,764, according to Zillow – was last sold for $275,000, marking a $62,764 increase in value.
At 1,058 square feet, the couple’s cozy 1939-built cottage features a sought-after floor plan with a spacious living room, dining room, bonus room, backyard patio, and a two-car garage.
The purple home – now valued at a staggering $337,764, according to Zillow – was last sold for $275,000, marking a $62,764 increase in value
Reflecting on the overwhelming response to her neighbor’s surprise gift on TikTok, Clemons (pictured) said: ‘It made me feel emotional and re-appreciate the kindness of our neighbor and how cute it is that they shared the book’
The home includes a full bathroom downstairs, while upstairs offers a half-bath and arguably its best feature – a private top-floor balcony overlooking the more muted neighboring homes.
Both Clemons and Peck didn’t immediately respond to Daily Mail for comment.
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