Before becoming Habitat homeowners, Ariana and Jeremy were squeezed into one bedroom at her parents' house with their young son. When Ariana lost her nannying job, the family was down to a single income — trying to figure out how to cover basic needs, pay rent, and somehow save for a home, all at once. Homeownership felt like a distant dream, especially without a down payment.
The path to Habitat began through an unexpected connection. Ariana's grandmother was in the same weavers guild as Marilyn Cook and mentioned there was a home without a family. At first, Ariana and Jeremy decided not to even try. "There was probably a family with greater need than ours," she thought. So they prayed — asking God to provide a home — and let the deadline pass.
Then everything shifted. It was late December 2021, the home still had no family, and Ariana had just lost her job. They took it as a sign. "We decided we would just take the process one step at a time," she says, "and if this is what God had for us, we would be approved." Excitement, uncertainty, and thankfulness — that's how she describes the moment they found out they were selected.
Working alongside Habitat volunteers and staff turned out to be one of the most joyful parts of the journey.
"They were really graceful and helpful with allowing us to come in and work alongside them even when we did not know what we were doing," Ariana says. "They take the time to show us what to do and help find things we are capable of doing."
Participating in building their own home — learning to build a countertop and cabinets — was something she never expected.
"To know we had so much responsibility in building our own home and to see the outcome of all that work was a really unique experience."
Homeownership has changed their daily lives in ways both practical and profound. They are more intentional with their money, able to save for emergencies, and have even been able to fly to visit family. But the deeper shift is emotional.
"There is definitely just more peace," Ariana says, "in knowing we do not need to worry about the intensity of the market right now. I don't need to worry about missing out on my children's lives because I have no choice but to work."
Their relationships with their boys and with each other have grown closer and healthier too.
One of the most meaningful connections through the program has been with Marilyn. "She is someone I know I can reach out to for help or for questions if I need," Ariana says. And looking ahead, the Browns are excited to fill their home with people — hosting family, building relationships with neighbors, and dreaming about what it will look like to watch their boys grow up in a home that is truly theirs.
For their children, Ariana hopes the experience teaches something lasting.
"I hope they will learn what it is to be faithful in the little things — like paying a mortgage and taking care of a home day after day — so that they can be faithful with much and the greater call of God on their lives."
When she looks at their home now, the feeling is clear:
"I feel proud and so loved, taken care of, and seen by God. I feel like he has provided this safe place for us to grow, learn, and change with our children."
To the volunteers, donors, and supporters who made it possible, Ariana and Jeremy have one thing to say: "Thank you for choosing us and saying yes to us and to the task of building a home from the ground up. It is no small feat — all of the things that you all do — and it allows people the opportunity to have a home."
