At 17, on a college ski trip to Vail, I made a decision that quietly shaped the rest of my life. Standing at the base of the mountain, I confidently announced to my friends that one day I was going to live here. I had no plan, no timeline, and certainly no idea how I’d make it happen. I just knew.
Years later, I met the man who would become my husband, and we spent the next decade living in San Diego. But that promise I made to myself never went away. After we got married, I casually suggested we move to Vail “just to try it.” To my surprise, he didn’t hesitate. In 1992, we drove through a snowstorm to rent a house we’d never even seen.
Looking back, that was probably excellent preparation for a career in real estate.
More than 30 years later, Vail still hasn’t disappointed me. I love it as much today as I did on that first trip. There’s something about this place that captures people. They come for a vacation and leave wondering how they can make it home. I understand that feeling because I did exactly the same thing.
That’s why my very first home sale meant so much. My clients were moving to Vail to fulfill a lifelong dream of their own. We connected immediately because I’d been in their shoes. Helping them feel at home wasn’t just my job — it felt personal.
Then real estate reminded me that no transaction is ever completely normal.
Everything was ready for the showing until I realized the family dog had somehow locked himself in one of the bedrooms. As I tried to give a polished tour, a frantic Labrador repeatedly body-slammed the door from the inside. Every loud thud was met with my best professional smile and a cheerful, “This room gets wonderful natural light.”
The buyers laughed, the dog was eventually rescued, and they bought the house anyway.
That first sale taught me something I’ve never forgotten: every home has a story. Some are emotional, some are unforgettable, and every once in a while, they’re punctuated by a Labrador having what appears to be a complete emotional breakdown behind a locked bedroom door. And, after all of these years and all of my experiences, I am proud to call myself a true Vail local.