Finding "the one" had double meaning for Auckland, New Zealand, native Nick Shaw. After relocating to Vancouver, he came across a heritage home in the Grandview-Woodland neighborhood with lots of charming historical details. "Finding beautiful moldings that hadn't been painted was a rarity. And the large, open space upstairs really appealed," he says.

During a housewarming party, Nick met his future wife, Connie. "We are a love-at-first-sight tale. It truly does exist," says Connie. "When people ask how we met, Nick jokes, 'She just walked into my house.'"

The two married, and 13 months of renovations gave them what they consider their forever home. Connie says, "We wanted to do it right the first time."

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