NEIGHBORS

Vision Accomplished

With retirement on the horizon, New Jersey natives Stephan and Linda Kelly dreamed of relaxing in a beautiful home. But first they had to decide where to live. While Stephan was thinking of Florida, Linda wasn’t ready to move that far away from their children and grandchildren in New Jersey. After plenty of discussions—and a few compromises here and there—the couple set their sights on coastal Delaware and never looked back.

How did two kids from New Jersey who went to prom together end up finding their happily ever after at Peninsula Lakes? For Stephan and Linda Kelly, the answer to that question began as a middle school friendship and developed into a love story.

After meeting in middle school and dating in high school, Stephan and Linda married in 1979 and settled into life in the Garden State. When daughters Selena and Jasmine came along, family time was always a priority. Linda explained,

“I always admired how hard Stephan worked to provide for our family; he consistently had two jobs, and no matter what, he made sure our daughters had a wonderful Christmas and we went on a family vacation every summer.” Reflecting fondly on those summers together when the girls were young, Linda said, “We loved taking them to the Delaware beaches or to Ocean City, Maryland for vacation. It was a yearly tradition.”

Fast forward several years and the ultimate decision to move to Delaware wasn’t actually difficult at all. In fact, the couple discovered that they had grown to love the area. Through visits to the beach—year in and year out—the Delaware coast had been factoring into their story all along. Stephan explained, “After the girls grew up, we spent many weekends traveling from New Jersey to Delaware. We’d stay at the hotels on Route 1 in Rehoboth and tour different communities.”

When it became clear that coastal Delaware was where they wanted to live, Stephan and Linda were focused on finding the right builder and community to fulfill their vision. They searched online, visited countless communities, and talked with locals in the area. “Then we met a very wonderful, friendly community sales representative at Peninsula Lakes, and we knew it was right,” said Linda. “Jordan helped us find the perfect home.”

After listening to the couple’s dreams about room designs, lake views, and more, Jordan recommended the Bella, a Kincade home that checked all their boxes. In addition to the home’s location, some of the things Stephan and Linda love about their Bella are the open concept design, generous room sizes, and a first floor owner’s suite that overlooks the lake. In addition to these features, the couple fell in love with the second floor loft and huge bonus room with accompanying bathroom. “I chose to have the bonus room painted lavender in honor of my beloved mother,” Linda mentioned thoughtfully. “Lavender was one of her favorite colors.” While focused on the room, Linda shared two lessons her mother had taught her: to “treat others the way you want to be treated” and “if you work hard you can achieve anything you want in life.” No doubt,Linda’s kind, genuine demeanor is evidence of her mother’s influence.

After moving to Peninsula Lakes in February of 2017, the couple has been busy enjoying their surroundings in between visits from their children and grandchildren. In describing the community they fondly refer to as Pen Lakes, Linda highlighted the beautiful, peaceful backdrop with views of the lakes. “The whole atmosphere with a clubhouse and pool makes me feel likeI’m on a resort vacation every day,” Linda exclaimed. Stephan went on to say, “Before Covid, the model home staff would host special gatherings and events to bring the community together. It was always nice to meet new neighbors while we relaxed over appetizers and drinks. We look forward to getting together again soon.” Linda added,“Not only is this a great community with friendly neighbors, it’s also conveniently located near supermarkets, pharmacies, medical facilities, restaurants, outlets, the beaches, and so much more.”

As outdoor lovers, the two enjoy taking walks or hopping on their golf cart for a spin around the community, and Stephan’s outgoing personality ensures engaging conversations with neighbors along the way. When family and friends visit, of course they usually head to a nearby beach. As Linda explained, “If we just want to relax in the sand, take a walk on the boardwalk, or sit on a bench eating ice cream, it’s all just a short drive away.” Their coastal location also makes it easy for Stephan to participate in some of his favorite outdoor activities such as swimming, golfing, and jogging. In addition to her other interests, Linda loves decorating her home, inside and out. If she’s not tending her flower beds, you’re likely to find her shopping for new furniture or accessories at her favorite nearby store, HomeGoods.

For date nights, Stephan and Linda gravitate toward waterside restaurants, with two of their favorites being the Paradise Grill in Millsboro and Harpoon Hanna’s in Fenwick Island. Lately, they have discovered a special pleasure in cooking at home and enjoying their own waterside views.

When it comes to happily-ever-after stories, each one is unique. For these two middle school kids who fell in love, raised a family, and envisioned a relaxing retirement, Pen Lakes is a destination beyond compare. Linda summed it up, saying, “We are truly blessed.” Vision accomplished.