Meet Our Idea House Winner

Back to Her Roots

MyHomeIdeas (MHI): We understand you grew up in the Florida Panhandle, near the location of the house. What does that area mean to you and your family?

Leisa Tobler (LT): I moved to Fort Walton Beach, Florida, with my family when I was 12. All of my family―my parents, brother, sister, and their families -- still live there.

At the age of 23, I met a young Air Force lieutenant named Rob who was stationed at a base nearby. One year later, we married and started moving all over the country (and the world) with the military. We try to return to the Panhandle as often as we can, and we really hope our children will create many of their own Gulf Coast memories.

Our dream has always been to return to the Northwest Florida once my husband retires, but we weren’t quite sure how we would make that happen. Now, 15 years later, Rob’s retirement is only a few short years away, and winning this wonderful home will make that dream come true!