‘Notes of Love’ decorate walls of family’s home
Bridgeland community leaves heartwarming housewarming gift
Construction isn’t complete on the new personalized, mortgagefree home in Bridgeland for U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Stephen Netzley, and there’s already been an argument in the house.
Netzley’s daughter, 4-year-old Mrazy, is claiming the “big room” — her dad’s room — as her own.
When they arrived at the site, Netzley was surprised at how much work had been done by partners The Howard Hughes Corporation, Perry Homes, Houston Texans, and Greater Houston Builders Association since he last visited.
“I will say it’s the only time Mrazy will be able to run through the walls,” he laughed and smiled as he watched his daughter weave from one room to another inspecting all the new construction.
Excited by what she saw, she couldn’t stop.
“She was trying to figure out which room was hers,” he said.
When she saw the big bathtub in the primary bedroom, she began talking about how much fun taking a bath was going to be.
She was also telling her daddy that it was going to be her bath, not his.
“That’s something we’ll settle down the road,” he smiled.
The preschooler has already planned a trampoline for the backyard, he said.
As she slowed down, for a moment, they began to look at notes of love that had been left for them.
“The notes came from our residents and employees, Houston Texans, Perry Homes, donors of Operation Finally Home, students at our onsite elementary schools, and students from an elementary school in Austin where two team members with Operation Finally Home live,” said Lona Shipp, director of residential marketing for The Howard Hughes Corporation.
The notes were attached to the studs in the home intending to provide inspirational words of support and encouragement for Netzley and his daughter.
“The notes were a little overwhelming,” he said. “All the thought and work that went into this, I really appreciate,” the soldier said.
“A lot of them were so heartwarming,” he said. His family wasn’t able to be there at the signing ceremony, but on Easter, they took a trip over to take a look and Netzley could show them his new living quarters.
“They were all touched by them as well,” he said humbly.
The house wasn’t the only thing they toured. Netzley took Mrazy and the family to some of the local parks and showed them where she will be attending school.
It was the first time he had returned to the site since the groundbreaking.
“It was absolutely amazing!” he said. “The house is coming together.”
It’s been torture for him not to be able to drive out and see the progress but he’s busy working on his master’s degree at the University of Houston and it’s crunch time for Netzley and other students as the semester draws to a close.
To remind him it’s not a dream, the soldier has photos of the notes left for him and his daughter on his phone. A big Houston Texans fan, he’s able to brag a little to his friends that he has a note of love from the Houston Texans in his home.
“That one really touched me,” he said.
Mrazy has a favorite too. “Dear Staff Sgt. Stephen Netzley, Happy Valentine’s Day and this is a picture of your daughter,” it read.
“The funny thing is my daughter ran up to it and said, ‘That’s a picture of me!’ without being able to read it,” he said amazed at her.
At the ‘Notes of Love’ ceremony, Netzley said he was told the contractors were approximately 80-90 days out from completion of the home.
Netzley is counting down the days and he’s sure his dad is too.
“I think he’s ready for some space,” he laughs, “but it’s been great to be there for him.” Netzley has been there helping while his mother fought and lost her battle to cancer.
He hasn’t started packing just yet and hasn’t picked up the change of address cards, but it’s on his agenda in the next few weeks. It’s all still surreal.
Till then, he knows he’s been hugged by the community and appreciates all that has been done for him. It’s reciprocal from a patriotic Bridgeland community stepping up to say thanks for his sacrifice.