Stephens Success Story: A First Home Full of Love, Memories, and the Next Chapter

When Sydney Stone and Adam Taylor bought their East Lawrence bungalow 11 years ago, they were just starting out, newly engaged, full of plans, and ready to put down roots. With longtime Stephens agent Jane May (now retired) by their side and a little help from Sydney’s parents, they decided to skip the big wedding and invest in their future with a home instead.

At the time, Sydney was working weekends at the Stephens Real Estate front desk. Her connection to the company was already strong and would only grow. Today, her mom, Joan Stone, is a Stephens agent too, and in January, Joan had the honor of helping Sydney, Adam, and their two daughters, Rowan and Demory, sell that very first home and find a new one with more space.

Affectionately known as “The Bungalow,” the house was lovingly updated over the years. Adam’s father, Glen, used his woodworking skills to match the original trim around the doors and windows. Architectural salvage became part of the home’s story, reimagined as a built-in bookcase, a medicine cabinet, and even a bookshelf made from an original window. Of course, the home had more typical upgrades too, like a refreshed kitchen and bathroom, new lighting, and updated ceilings.

But it was the memories that mattered most: wedding planning, babies, birthdays, holidays, blooming trees, and backyard gardens. First homes carry all of that and more.

So, while saying goodbye was bittersweet, the move marked a happy next step for a growing family. And in a special full-circle moment, Jane May reached out when she saw the listing to reconnect and reminisce.

At Stephens, we know a house is never just a house. It’s part of your story. And we’re honored to be part of it, every step of the way.