What started as a simple DIY project during the pandemic ended up creating a heartwarming neighborhood moment no one expected.
In Royal Oak, Michigan, a couple decided to breathe new life into their home — and the result has captured the hearts of strangers and neighbors alike.
A Pandemic Project Becomes a Passion
Maureen Clemons, 35, and her husband Mike Peck, 36, like many people during the COVID lockdowns, were looking for something to lift their spirits.
That something turned out to be their house — specifically, painting it.
“We just wanted something fun, something that made us smile,” Maureen said.
And that’s exactly what they created.
Over the course of a week, they transformed their modest three-bedroom bungalow from a typical blue-green into a bright, lavender purple cottage.
“It felt joyful. Like something out of a fairytale,” Maureen added.
“We wanted it to feel like a cute little storybook home.”
Unexpected Cheers from Passing Strangers
With a color that bold, attention came naturally — and the reactions were mostly wonderful.
“One day, this couple rode by on bikes and started chanting, ‘Go purple! Go lavender!’” Maureen laughed. “It was random, but so sweet.”
Another neighbor stopped just to say how much joy the house brought her. “She said it completely brightened her day,” Maureen recalled. “That made us feel really good.”
A Note from a Stranger and a Gift from the Past
But the biggest surprise came one day when they found a handwritten note tucked by their door, along with a gently used book.
The sender signed it only as “Chris.”
The note explained that watching them paint their house had reminded Chris of a childhood favorite — a storybook called Mr. Pine’s Purple House by Leonard Kessler.
In the book, Mr. Pine lives on a street where every house looks the same… until he paints his own purple to stand out.
Chris wrote:
“I could not remember the exact name, but after some searching I was able to find it.
I hope you enjoy the story.
Hopefully, you won’t mind that it’s well-read.
Happy Holidays.”
Maureen said she and Mike were speechless.
“We were overwhelmed — in the best way. And we never did figure out who Chris was.”
Sharing the Sweet Moment with the World
Touched by the gesture, Maureen decided to share the story on TikTok.
She posted a video showing the purple house, the book, the note — and later, something even more personal: a tattoo.
Yes, Maureen got a tattoo of their beloved purple cottage.
The tiny piece of art was drawn by an artist who, by coincidence, had previously photographed the house.
It features every detail — the bushes out front, the heart-shaped smoke puffing from the chimney, and a heart on the door.
Beneath it, the words: “I want to go home.”
A Tattoo to Remember a Feeling, Not Just a House
“The tattoo is a memory of how the house — and that moment — made us feel,” she explained.
“It’s home, and it’s joy.”
Since she shared the story, her TikTok video has gone viral, gaining over two million views.
The emotional responses have flooded in.
One viewer commented, “He gave you HIS copy of his favorite childhood book?? I’m sobbing.”
Another added, “The joy you brought your neighbor by simply following your own bliss… that’s beautiful.”
The Internet Agrees: Sometimes People Really Are Wonderful
Thousands of comments poured in from people touched by the small, powerful exchange between the couple and their mystery neighbor.
“Your actions for your own joy encouraged someone to reconnect with their childhood,” one person wrote.
Another said simply, “Human connection is the meaning of life.”
That Purple Paint Paid Off in More Ways Than One
Aside from the emotional impact, the purple house also turned out to be a good investment.
According to Zillow, the home is now valued at $337,764 — a $62,000 increase from the $275,000 they paid.
Built in 1939, the 1,058-square-foot cottage includes a spacious living and dining room, a bonus room, a charming patio, and even a two-car garage.
Upstairs, it features a half-bath and a private balcony overlooking quieter, more neutral-toned homes.
So What’s Next for the Couple?
While Maureen and Mike are just enjoying the ride for now, the experience has reminded them — and thousands of others — that joy is contagious.
And that even a bold choice like purple paint can ripple out in beautiful, unexpected ways.
“We did it for us,” Maureen said.
“But it ended up meaning something to someone else too. That’s kind of amazing, isn’t it?”
