SHAWN TWEED

In my 40s, divorced and a full-time single dad, embarking on a brand-new career, I found myself completely starting over. The previous two decades were dedicated to chasing my dreams and adhering to the plan I had crafted for a life of singular success and adventure. Career advancement was my sole focus, with happiness and adventure promised as the ultimate rewards. Marriage and fatherhood were never part of the plan – concepts I felt ill-prepared to navigate, having grown up in a deeply dysfunctional household devoid of positive marital or parental role models.

My upbringing instilled in me the early conviction to survive, escape, and create a life vastly different from the one I was born into. With the guidance of mentors who emphasized the value of hard work and self-worth, I pursued higher education, working multiple jobs to finance my studies. Upon graduation, I left my childhood home behind, determined to forge my own path.

My post-college journey was initially uncertain, marked by a search for direction and a desire to distance myself from my past. Eventually, I found my footing in a fulfilling career within the infrastructure and energy sectors, where I thrived in roles involving large-scale project acquisition. Despite the demanding nature of my work, I made room for adventure, indulging in pursuits like racing cars and international travel.

Though I believed I had constructed a fulfilling existence, I now realize I was merely fleeing from my past, avoiding emotional entanglements and commitments. Marriage and parenthood remained steadfastly off-limits in my mind – until a chance encounter on St. Patrick's Day in 2010 altered my trajectory. Meeting a woman, falling in love, and learning of impending fatherhood upended my carefully constructed plans.

Terrified yet unexpectedly joyful at the prospect of fatherhood, I grappled with feelings of inadequacy and fear of repeating the cycles of dysfunction from my own upbringing. Initially, I coped by throwing myself into work, maintaining physical distance from my growing family. However, the heart-wrenching realization that my absence was hurting my daughter compelled me to reassess my priorities.

Recognizing the need for a radical shift, I made the difficult decision to leave behind my lucrative career and prioritize presence over prosperity. Though this choice came too late to salvage my marriage, it enabled me to cultivate a deeply meaningful relationship with my daughter, breaking the cycle of familial dysfunction that had plagued generations before me.

Now, as a single dad navigating the complexities of parenthood and entrepreneurship, I am committed to helping families find not just houses, but homes. Drawing from my own experiences of seeking refuge in a place of love and safety, my House2HOME Method centers on understanding clients' needs and aspirations, transforming properties into spaces where lasting memories are made and cherished.