The article discussed the process that would be taking place in order to salvage as many items as possible from the home. As soon as I read that Southern Accents would be selling the items, I called the manager, Kolby, and told him who I was. He was fantastic. He sent pictures that they had taken of the home to me, and I was able to share those with Charles and his mother and brothers. My mother-in-law told us about visiting the home in the 70's and how beautiful it was. It was neat to learn about the history of both the home and Charles' family. If it weren't for the article in the newspaper and my subsequent phone call to Kolby, we probably would never have had the opportunity to discuss the family's past because we would never have thought to ask!

I wanted to make sure that we were able to get a piece of the house for our home in Mobile. We live in a small, midtown house and don't have a lot of room for extras, so Kolby helped me decide that a small window would be a great showpiece. We plan to hang it on one of the walls in our house.

Neither Charles nor I have been to the Gay home in Montgomery or have even laid eyes on it in person. So why do we want a piece of this home? That's easy – because it's part of my husband's history. Most of the Gay family has passed on, but this house and the things in it represent his great-grandfather and all of the family that came after him. This window will help us to remember those who came before us, those who helped make my husband who he is today, and share our history with those who come after us. When you think about it, a window really makes perfect sense. In it, we can look back at the past and look forward to the future.

We appreciate the extra time you take with us. You have gone beyond just selling and taken the personal time to share the origin and history of the things we've bought. There is a satisfaction in knowing the architectural history behind something and being able to make it part of your home. You have also saved us from disastrous mistakes that we would have made as a result of things we overlooked or didn't know about.

I also want to thank you for your attention to the smallest details. When I brought in a very old hinge needing three more like it and you didn't have any (after you thoroughly searched the store), you told me that you would try to find them for me. I know that you are a very busy man, I didn't think you would have time to look for them. I was so pleased when you called and told me that you had found them on one of your trips. Something that may have seemed like a trivial item to you has made my antique cupboard perfect. Thank you again.

Garlan, the way that you, Heather, your father, Chris and Kolby have treated us from the beginning has made coming to Southern Accents something that we look forward to and we feel as comfortable as friends every time we come through the door.