The first sign she notices was a man she passed, drinking a bottle of her son’s favorite beer Modelo Especial. Then, Venus Stuart saw a member of the Air Force in the Riverside Homebuilders office when she went to close on her new home. 

The address itself -- with numbers matching those of her son’s platoon -- was the final sign that convinced her she had made the right decision. One that would honor his lasting legacy. 

Venus lost her son, Jhonus Gonzalez, in December. He was 26 and working in Tucson, Ariz. for the Air Force. 

Although his loss is still tremendous, Venus found a way to stay connected through this new home in Sherman, which was funded through his life insurance policy. 

“I decided, you know what, I am going to use this money for something positive. To get a house as a gift from him that honors his memory,” Venus said. 

Once the memorial services were complete, she returned to Texas and started looking in January. She and her aunt Jacqueline Stuart toured just two homes before landing on this one the same morning. Jacqueline’s daughter Megan Lopez tagged along too. It was Megan’s shadow box from the memorial which revealed the third detail from above with the home’s new address mirroring the numbers from Jhonus’ badge. 

“All the hints were there,” Jacqueline said. “He was saying, ‘This is the house, mom.’”

It seems fitting that the son who never missed a phone call home -- even when he was stationed halfway across the world -- would continue to have a profound influence on their lives today. Jacqueline describes him as an “amazing kid, very family-oriented” who “always had a big smile.” He would have been 27 this Monday, June 28.

Since the home was still in the final stages of construction when it was purchased, Venus and her family had an opportunity to add another special touch of their own. This time, it was messages of love and gratitude scrawled across the framework before the paint and final finishes. A cathartic way to open this new chapter of their lives.

The home is complete now and Venus is settled in, enjoying the space and the new memories they are making. Jacqueline lives there with her and Megan is a frequent visitor. She took charge decorating the new home.

“Words cannot express the gratitude I have and blessings I have experienced with my family through this time,” Venus said. “It is a bittersweet moment.”

Riverside Homebuilders builds new homes throughout the DFW area. For more information, contact us online, call (817) 601-6230 or text (254) 735-3033.