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💕The Enduring Post From 16 Years Ago!💕

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Beam & Branch Realty TREC #547752

Today I received the sweetest email through Active Rain. The woman I had written a post about from 2010 reached out to say, "thank you" for this post. She missed seeing the post from all those years ago and just saw it today as she was searching for something else.

Here is the message that I received from her today:

I had forgotton all about this post. I immediately remembered being moved by her story and then wrote the post. This is the perfect example that what we put out there here on this Active Rain platform as well as elsewhere is that you never know who will see it. This 16-year old post was seen by the right person today.

I wrote her back and told her how glad I was that she reached out. So remember when you are putting in the effort to post here in the Rain that your words and your content impact others. This was such a sweet little reminder for me today and I wanted to share it with you.

MAY YOU FULLY LIV2DAY!

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Comments(12)

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Jeff Masich-Scottsdale AZ Associate Broker,MBA,GRI
HomeSmart Real Estate - Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona Homes and Land Group/ Buy or Sell

Congratulations Paula. One of your "Blasts from the Past" came back home. I like it.

May 04, 2026 07:21 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Well, thank you, Jeff. It was a special surprise today.

May 04, 2026 07:26 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Paula... this is indeed a wonderful and special surprise. And your story underscores why I'm always telling agents to be very mindful of what and how they post on the web... once it's there it never goes away.

May 05, 2026 04:10 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald

You are right to remind agents of this fact. 

May 05, 2026 07:14 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

That's wonderful to know she found your post all these years later and sent you a thank you. 

May 05, 2026 05:25 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald

It really was a sweet surprise! I am so glad that she reached out.

May 05, 2026 07:14 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Paula. What you post today is there for eternity. If you post is well written and thought out it can bring joy and surprise year's later. You nailed it. Kudios to you. Enjoy your day.

May 05, 2026 05:26 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Thank you so much, Wayne. It was a wonderful surprise.

May 05, 2026 07:15 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

That is wonderful, and I look forward to seeing the heart that is drawn for you, so I hope that you will share it with us.

May 05, 2026 05:26 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Me too. I will certainly write a post about this special heart.

May 05, 2026 07:15 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Paula, that would have made me cry....great job.   It is nice she found your post.

May 05, 2026 05:50 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald

I know, Joan. The whole thing was so unexpected and special.

May 05, 2026 07:16 AM
Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc - Walhalla, SC
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc.

That’s a powerful reminder of how lasting our words can be. You never know when something you’ve written will reach the right person at exactly the right time.

Sixteen years later and still making an impact says a lot about the value of thoughtful, genuine content. It’s easy to focus on immediate engagement, but moments like this show the long-term reach matters just as much.

A meaningful example of why consistency and authenticity always pay off.

May 05, 2026 05:51 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald

You are correct, Gwen. We never know how our words might impact another.

May 05, 2026 07:16 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Paula - ActiveRain can bring together many sorts of connections.  This example underscores that.  

May 05, 2026 06:11 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Exactly, Michael. Now I have a new connection with this precious woman.

May 05, 2026 07:17 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Paula,

I love this! Isn't it amazing how the posts you put out there even get read years later. So glad the lady read it and reached out to you!

May 06, 2026 10:07 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald

I know, Dorie. Such a sweet surprise and so unexpected!

May 06, 2026 11:47 AM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

 It’s incredible how a message can travel through time and still make an impact. Nice story!

May 06, 2026 01:34 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald

It really is how long and impactful different messages can be. Thank you for stopping by.

May 06, 2026 02:17 PM
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home again, home again...

That is such a nice story.

May 07, 2026 07:22 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald

It really was a cool surprise, Alan. 

May 07, 2026 08:04 AM
Kelly McGovern
Realty Concierge International - Bellingham, MA
Working with Kelly is a good move

Blog posts last!  How wonderful for her to reach out!  

May 07, 2026 03:04 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald

It was so nice. I loved getting this special surprise all of these years later.

May 07, 2026 05:45 PM