Happiness After Heartbreak And A New Home In Blackburn
Pam, who has lived in Manchester for most of her life, is preparing to relocate to her new home at Countryside’s Brookfield Vale, in Blackburn, Lancashire after meeting her new partner Pete and unexpectedly finding happiness again.
Following a short illness in May 2020, Pam was left heartbroken when her husband Steven passed away at the age of 56. Pam and Steven had raised their three children in the family home they had lived in for 23 years, and had dreamed of moving somewhere rural together once their children left home.
Pam, a registered care manager, says: “In 2020, as the first wave of covid hit, my husband Steven started complaining of stomach pains so I took him to hospital. I could tell from the look on the doctor's face that it wasn’t good news; he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and it had already spread to his liver. The hospital let Steven come home so the family could take care of him and just seven weeks later he passed away.”
Several months after losing Steven and encouraged by a close friend, Pam reluctantly joined an online dating site, where she began chatting to Pete. A friendship blossomed, and the pair started meeting for walks during lockdown restrictions. It was Pete who introduced Pam to his hometown of Blackburn, and she started to picture a new life for herself, living in the Lancashire countryside.
Pam, who shares three grown up sons with her late husband, continues: “After Steven died, I couldn’t sleep in our bedroom anymore, I found it too hard. We’d lived in our house together for 23 years so all our memories belonged there. I redecorated shortly after losing Steven, and spent a lot of money doing so, but it still didn’t feel right.
“The most important thing for me was that our three sons would be ok, they were all living at home when their dad passed away and I didn’t want to think about moving house unless I knew they had somewhere to go, and they’d support my decision.”
With her sons’ blessing, Pam started house-hunting and it wasn’t long before she found her dream home, a three-bedroom semi-detached Lea house at Brookfield Vale. After spending more time with Pete enjoying walks and meals out around the Blackburn area, Pam didn’t hesitate to snap up one of Countryside’s new homes when she came across them. After growing closer, Pam has invited Pete to move into her new home as they take the next step in their relationship.
Pam says: “Moving house does feel bittersweet but I’m looking forward to the next chapter with Pete, and I’d always wanted to move to the countryside after living in a town all my life. Pete was born and bred in Blackburn, and after he introduced me to the area I fell in love with it. It’s commutable to the motorway for work, and it has beautiful views of the Pennines on our doorstep. With two dogs between us, having a reservoir only a stone's throw away is going to be ideal for our daily walks. Although I am downsizing, the new house has plenty of space so it doesn’t feel like it.”
Mark Hadfield, managing director, Merseyside and Cheshire West, Countryside, says: "We’ve all been touched by Pam’s story and after everything she’s been through, it’s great to hear she’s found so much to smile about again. We’re happy that Countryside has played a small part in this and we look forward to welcoming Pam and Pete to their new home and life at Brookfield Vale.”
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