Our First Harlingen Gate Frame
Harlingen is full of great people. We don’t venture to McAllen, Brownsville or even the island too much, so we can’t speak for them. We mostly stay between Harlingen and Weslaco. In our first year living here, I can say this place has so many wonderful people and there’s never a shortage of stuff to do — as long as the stuff you enjoy involves eating (so much eating), shopping, dancing and relaxing.
Besides the fun stuff, there’s also a great deal of work happening around here, too. It is so gratifying to see a place like the Valley absolutely booming. Not long ago, this entire area, even the land our house sits on, was mostly farm ground and not a lot of industry or opportunity. Now, you don’t have to look far to see new construction. It’s everywhere! They can’t build subdivisions fast enough and new businesses are popping up around nearly every corner.
Including Valley Custom!
Not long after we put the sign up in the yard, we had a visitor. We’ll call him Mr. A.
Mr. A and his wife had talked about installing a gate across their driveway for more than 20 years. It seemed, as it so often does, that there were always other priorities and projects to do first.
He told us that when his wife mentioned the gate project, he would say to her, with a wave of his hand, “Mañana.” For nearly three decades the gate was always a project he’d get to tomorrow.
Mr. A doesn’t live far from us and one of our business cards made its way into his hands. (Thanks to his daughter!) He stopped by one day, as people often do, to just check out the shop and see what’s doin’. Impressed by what he saw, he commissioned us. He described what was in his head and drove Aaron over to his house to show him exactly what he wanted. After a few measurements, Aaron came back to the shop and got to work.
Mr. A was so excited and popped in from time to time to just chat and witness the building process for himself. His excitement was contagious. We were so excited for him but it left Aaron nervous too. He’s always doubting his work and afraid it won’t be good enough. He is meticulous with every detail because he prides himself on quality and wants so badly for the client to be happy with the final product.
The day came and we loaded the massive 22’ gate into the cargo trailer. Our truck and trailer scarcely fit in the little back alley where Mr. A’s driveway is located. Taking up the entire narrow street, we unloaded the gate.
Mr. A invited a few neighbors over to help maneuver and mount the gate. We all chipped in and made short work of it. A wiggle here, a smack with a mallet there and the gate was hung. The guys celebrated with a beer. It was such a great day.
He has since attached the pickets to the gate from the old fence he dismantled for a seamless finish. We are so honored he trusted us with such an important and meaningful project. After waiting so long, he and his wife finally got the gate they’d been talking about for years and years.
Thank you, Mr. A. We’re so proud to now call you a friend.
See the full slide show on our Project page.
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