Homeowners shocked by neighbor’s handwritten note after painting their house

In a small Michigan neighborhood, a simple splash of paint sparked something far bigger than curb appeal — it stirred hearts and kindled human connection.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Maureen Clemons and her husband, Mike Peck, wanted to brighten their lives, so they picked up their paint brushes and covered their house in a coat of lavender stain.

“We wanted something to distract ourselves and make us happy,” Clemons, 35, told Newsweek.

“We picked purple because it felt bright and joyful.”

The creative couple, both 35, thought a “cute cottage vibe” would lift their spirits during the dark times — they didn’t think how it would affect others.

As the couple painted, neighbors walked by, offering waves, smiles, and even cheers.

“A couple biking by started chanting ‘Go purple! Go lavender!’” Clemons recalled. “Someone even stopped to tell us how happy the color made her — it brightened her day.”

But the most touching moment came in December, when a mysterious neighbor named Chris dropped a surprise into their mailbox: a worn copy of the children’s book “Mr. Pine’s Purple House” by Leonard Kessler, along with a heartfelt handwritten note.

“Hi, a while ago I was walking by your house when you were painting. It reminded me of one of my favorite books from childhood, that celebrates individuality,” the note reads.

“I could not remember the exact name, but after some searching I was able to find it. I hope you enjoy the story.”

“Hopefully you won’t mind that it’s well read.”

The couple “were overwhelmed” by the sweet gesture.

Sadly, they never learned who Chris was. But his sweet note and the memory of the impact their will be with them forever — literally.

Clemons got a tattoo of their beloved purple home on her leg, inked by a local artist in Ferndale who, in a twist of fate, had unknowingly taken a photo of the house months earlier.

When Clemons shared the story via a TikTok video on her account @moreangrim, the response was immediate and emotional.

“Sobbing,” a person commented.

“You never know your impact. I’m so glad they shared this,” another said.

“This is the type of whimsy I want to see every day in our world,” someone else wrote.

Clemons captioned the video: “Sometimes humans are so cute.”