Relationship

re·la·tion·ship

rəˈlāSH(ə)nˌSHip

noun

1. the way in which two or more concepts, objects, or people are connected, or the state of being connected.

In the beginning, we started WildWood Restoration to maintain our family relationship. At the time my husband's work called us to move at least three times a year and it was never in the state of Texas so our travels never brought us back to Ennis. I was eager to travel the world with him and my parents (whether they felt to or not) never told me not to go. During this time of constant travel, I was blessed enough to not have to work for anyone. I still wanted something for myself, something that I loved to do but could do remotely since we were constantly on the move. My mom came up with the idea for us to start buying property, restore it and sell it. This way I would still feel like I was home and I could have a project of my own to be in charge of. "Flipping houses" had just become a household coined term so we felt like the timing was perfect. 

My mom and dad were pro's at making old things new again and had taught me and my sister the process while growing up. You see, WildWood Restoration's story did not just start three years ago. This has been something that has been in the making since John and Amelia Valdez brought home this chunky, onyx haired baby in 1987. 

My parents started our family's journey as teenagers. Not even graduates of High School, they had found out that they would soon be parents. With nothing of their own, they began their lives together. Living with my grandparents for a short time but then moving on to their own place once they had enough money. It all sounds very cliche in the realm of love stories, but to them it wasn't. 

Everything my parents had they worked very hard for-(as do many people in this world); but I think what has made a difference is how they maintained a relationship. A relationship with each other and a relationship with me and my sister. Restoration started with our family long before we intended it for a business. From the Vintage Iron beds me and my sister slept on to the Lester Antique Upright Piano we still bang on to annoy my parents, a lot of our furnishings were and are always restored. When my sister was diagnosed with Asthma at three years old, my parents immediately pulled up the carpet in every room of the house we lived in at the time and restored the floors. My parents did not always have the money to buy new or pay for our house to have a updated room, so they taught themselves how to do what they wanted done. From painting and staining to building and molding; my parents did it all. I think that is why I thought every family redid old furniture or "DIY'd" something they wanted done to their house.

So while we have grown this business to accomplish more goals every year, we are able to look back at our past as a victorious journey that led us right where we are today. What we thought started as a way for us to stay in touch and bonded really began in our tiny house on Decatur Street in Ennis, Texas all those years ago. And that is what sets us apart from all other restoration companies. We love what we do, we respect each other's craft and want to make a home for our clients like we did for ourselves. 

Love and light,

Erica