Hi everyone, this is Paul & Amber and we are writing this through tears, shock, and a kind of heartbreak we never imagined we'd experience. On January 6th, 2026, our home caught fire. Within minutes, flames took over the upper floor, which then spread to the attic. The house was completely filled with thick smoke and we barely escaped. We lost our home, our sense of safety, and so many of the things that make up a life. We are incredibly grateful that we made it out safely as well as our friend and dogs! The Red Cross assisted with three days of emergency shelter, and we are currently safe in a hotel. We are devastated, shaken, and unsure what comes next. One of the most painful parts of this entire nightmare is our dogs. Many of you know how much they mean to us—they are our family. Due to emergency protocols, the state had to take custody of them while everything is processed. We were only allowed to keep one with us. The rest are gone from our arms and our hearts are shattered without them. We miss them more than we can possibly put into words. This fire didn’t just destroy a house. It took clothing, furniture, important documents, medications, daily necessities, and so much more. We're not good at asking for help. But we need it. If you are able, your donation will help with temporary housing and essential needs during the insurance claim process. Even $1 helps. A share helps. A prayer helps. A kind word helps. If you can’t give financially, please just keep us in your thoughts as we try to process and heal from this. Thank you for reading, thank you for caring, and thank you to the firefighters and Red Cross.

Love,

Paul & Amber

Photo by Frederick County (MD) Fire & Rescue's Facebook