Halfway to Heaven: The Story of Our Lake Chatuge Home. Our story began in 2014, when my wife, Katy, and I were exploring the North Georgia mountains with our dog, Ruby — a spirited German Shorthaired Pointer who lived for adventure. Most weekends, we’d load up the car in Atlanta, chasing hikes, waterfalls, and the best views we could find. One summer day, we wandered up to Lake Chatuge and found ourselves at the Clay County public park. Ruby dove straight into the water, retrieving stick after stick with the biggest smile only a dog can manage. We remember looking out across that clear blue water, surrounded by green ridges fading into the horizon, and thinking — this might be one of the most beautiful places in the Southeast. That’s where it started. Over the next few years, our connection to Lake Chatuge deepened. We rented boats, took our newborn son, Mak, on his first lake trip, watched Ruby swim until sunset, and spent slow mornings fishing, kayaking, and exploring hidden mountain trails. Eventually, we knew we had to make this place part of our life — our second home. By 2020, we had our hearts set on the Cedar Cliff area. We were patient, waiting for a fixer-upper with the kind of view you only find once in a lifetime. Then one day, we found the house — or so we thought. The old red house next door had been sitting on the market forever, and we finally made an offer… only to find out it had gone under contract hours earlier. We were crushed. Still, something about that spot wouldn’t let go. The house next door — this house — had always caught our eye. It had one of the best lots on the lake, a beautiful old seawall, and an unbelievable view. The only problem: it wasn’t for sale. For three years, we wrote letters, called, and sent emails — gently trying to connect with the family who owned it. Built in the early 1960s as a Florida family’s summer cottage, it had barely been touched since. Then, one day, we got the call we’d been hoping for: they were finally ready to sell. Within an hour, we had a full-price offer in, and that was it. When we walked through the old cottage, we could feel the memories held in those walls — but we also knew it was time for a new chapter. With my background shifting from technology back into real estate, construction, and design, we decided to rebuild the home from the ground up. We designed and built it ourselves, choosing every element — every tile, light fixture, floorboard, and paint color — with love and intention. The home you’re standing in now is the result of that journey — a dream years in the making. Our hope is that your time here gives you what it has given us: a chance to slow down, reconnect, and breathe in the beauty of this place. To sit on the porch at sunset and remember what truly matters. To feel a little more grounded, a little more grateful, and maybe even a little closer to heaven. Welcome to Lake Chatuge. Welcome home.