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There are certain moments in life when the word home changes its meaning. It becomes less about where we live and more about who we are becoming. A job title shifts, life redirects without our permission, or the world changes around us, and suddenly we are left redefining what stability, comfort, and purpose look like. For me, that moment happened when I stepped away from my federal career and into real estate.
For years, my identity was tied to my work in federal service. I was humbled by the work we did. I believed in it. I poured myself into being the person who could be counted on, who understood how to manage complex projects, who could guide departments through transitions and migrations. My world was structured, mission driven, measurable. I knew the rules. I understood the chain of command. I knew what success looked like at the end of the day.
But life has a way of shifting the ground beneath our feet. You can do everything right and still find yourself at a crossroads you never planned for. Career changes, family needs, finances, health, leadership changes, agency restructures. It all builds. Eventually, I had to ask myself a difficult question: Who am I without the title? The answer came slowly in the quiet spaces where I was chose to rebuild. Real estate entered my life during that time, not as a backup plan, but as a bridge. A bridge between who I had been and who I still wanted to be. It took everything I valued in my federal career and asked me to use it in a way that felt more human and more connected.
This time of year, the holidays bring that clarity back into focus. The lights, the music, the traditions, the way family gathers, and the way empty chairs or new chairs at the table change everything. We reflect. We measure our lives not in promotions or performance plans, but in moments. In belonging. In purpose.
Real estate has become the place where my skill and heart feel aligned. Helping someone find a home is not just a transaction. It is guiding them through a life change. It is being steady when things feel uncertain. It is taking everything I learned in federal service about structure, analysis, communication, and trust, and applying it to the most human of decisions: where a family will build their life.
I see it now more clearly than ever, especially during the holidays. Home is not where you escape to at night. It is where your future lives. It is where your identity grows and heals. It is where you are allowed to evolve. For some, that means downsizing and simplifying. For others, it means expanding and inviting family in. For some, it means a fresh start in Florida, a new chapter under palm trees and ocean light.
I understand that journey in a personal way. I have lived it. I have felt the fear of starting over and the relief of realizing you are stronger than the ending that pushed you forward. I know what it is like to walk into a showing and see a glimmer of not just a house but a future. A version of yourself you are ready to meet.
This holiday season, I am grateful for the path that led me here. Not because it was easy, but because it was real. It taught me that home is not defined by square footage or zip code. It is defined by how it supports who you are becoming.
If you are standing at your own crossroads, searching for a home that reflects where your life is heading, I would be honored to help. Whether you need a fresh start, a space for multigenerational living, a Florida relocation, or a place that finally feels like yours, reach out anytime. Together, we can build a path forward that feels like home. Ready to FindYourFlorida.com? Call or text me. I'm here. (321) 831-6932. ~Jess Kibbey, REALTOR®, Hunter Home Realty, PA.