Gabriel and his soon-to-be-neighbour James became fast friends shovelling dirt at the site of their future homes in Barrie.
The two-year-old boys were at the groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday morning for their families' new Habitat for Humanity Huronia homes to be built on Centre St.
Gabriel, his 9-month-old baby brother Josiah and parents Terry and Chelsea will be moving into a semi-detached home with the other new Habitat family James and his parents Farrah and Jon.
"When we asked our son Gabriel what he's most looking forward to in our new home he said 'To getup in the winter and shovel the driveway with Daddy,'" said Terry as the family thanked everyone who made home ownership possible.
Both families expressed their gratitude at the chance to escape high rents and have a secure, safe home to raise their children.
"We're very excited to have a first family dinner together. First family Christmas and everything in our own home. We're looking to build a lot of memories in our new house," said Farrah.
This latest build is borrowing a new look from a B.C. design that officials say will fit right into the neighbourhood.
From the street, the beautiful Victorian-looking home will appear to be a detached, single family home with one front door.
But the entrance for the second part of the semi-detached is at an angle so you can't see it.
Habitat purchased the land but did not have to 'fight through that Toronto craziness' to bid for it.
"The lot came as a result of a clever developer who took these two lots, severed it into four and saw us as a nice way for them to give back to the community as well," said Habitat Huronia CEO Ken Kirk.
Representatives from Bayfield Ford Lincoln attended the groundbreaking ceremony as the first sponsor of the project.
Three co-sponsors are still being sought.
The long-time Barrie business has committed to helping with Habitat builds for the next five years.
"It's a unique opportunity," said the dealership's Jeff Ball. "It's incredible to see two families say how much this means to them. We've been in the community a long time so it means a lot to us to actually give back to them."
Mayor Jeff Lehman was also on hand to bring congratulations and thanks on behalf of city council.
"The Habitat model is one that city council loves," said the Mayor. "You're doing clever things in a very difficult real estate market."
Barrie-Innisfil MP John Brassard sent well-wishes through his Chief of Staff Shawn Bubel.
"Habitat for Humanity is making dreams come true right here on Centre St." Bubel said. "That's an amazing thing."
By year's end Habitat Huronia will have provided homes for eight families.
The foundation for the Centre St. semis will be laid in August and the families can expect to move in by February.
Each Habitat family contributes 500 hours of volunteer labour or 'sweat equity' towards building their homes, as well as accepting an interest-free mortgage capped at 25% of their income.
Terry called it a 'surreal opportunity.'
"We're looking forward to our first night in our home as a family together. We ca wake up, enjoy breakfast together having our own privacy. a place for our family to grow together," Terry said.
