A coffee-fuelled drive through Hamilton’s midsection changed the lives of Julia and Doug Veenstra. “Let’s see what feels right,” Julia recalled Doug saying about their meander through old central neighbourhoods.

They were looking to move, and Doug had a favourite street. “He just loved St. Clair, and he wanted a garage,” Julia said.

On the stretch between Main and King streets they saw what they wanted: a big house with a big porch, a garage and listed for sale at $179,000. Julia and Doug put in a bid with nine others, and included a letter with their offer. “We said we wanted this to be a family home,” Julia recalled.

The executor looking after the sale liked the idea that Julia, Doug and their five kids would call this house home.

The Veenstra family spent five years in Africa doing missionary work. They came home six years ago happy and fulfilled, but poor.

To read more, visit thespec.com.