When a Day Care Owner Retired, These Parents Did an Amazing Thing

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When a Day Care Owner Retired, These Parents Did an Amazing Thing

Dina Saari spent more than two decades lovingly looking after children at the day care she ran at her home in Mountain View, California. Her warm, caring demeanor — she’d always greet the kids every morning on her knees with open arms — made her seem like a family member to the parents of the children she watched. “It’s like sending them to grandma’s house,” says Jennifer Friedman, who had two of her five kids attend Saari’s Kids for Tomorrow day care.

So when Saari recently announced that she was retiring and downsizing from her home to a two-bedroom condo, a community of about 35 parents who’d sent their kids to Saari over the years got together to surprise her with a renovation of the kitchen, living room and main bedroom, and updates to her master bathroom.
“We wanted to make sure her retirement goes smoothly and she’s actually in a home as special to her as her home was to us and our children,” Friedman says.

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Comments (99)
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ilemaurice
This is heartwarming. Such a lovely gift! Wishing you a very happy and healthy retirement!
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Cynthia

I love stories like this that remind you that there really are still kind people in this world!

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loves to decorate
This is one of the most uplifting stories I have seen/heard about in what (unfortunately) feels like forever. The house is truly lovely, but the how & why behind this renovation almost brings a tear to my eye. It proves to me that there actually are still some thoughtful, generous, kind and demonstrably grateful & considerate human beings left in this terribly messed up world of ours. I hope this will inspire others (as much as it has inspired me) and serve as a reminder to us all, that THIS is the kind of behaviour that deserves our support, admiration and applause.
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Cristina Soto

What generous and loving families! Best wishes to Dina in her retirement!

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luscious111

What an amazing story. Dina must be an incredible lady. I can only hope that someone so wonderful takes care of my kids one day. Enjoy your beautiful new home!

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tamyko graham
What a special thank you. A very heartwarming post.
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lydia1144

This story warms my heart. It is a story about the only thing that really counts....love. Thank you to the wonderful group of parents for recognising Dina's contribution to their beautiful children, and thanking her by making her retirement home such a quietly glamorous and calm space. A whole group of generous hearts connected by our most valuable future, our children. Congratulations on your retirement Dina, enjoy your new home and chapter of your life.

Kudos to the designers.

My takeaway is the clever highlighting of the step up into the kitchen, dining area, by changing the floor covering. I am also very attracted to the gold touches, it's luxe without being ostentatious. Note to self - use love and generosity every day.

52 Likes    
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Hansen
People who appreciate you are a gift.
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let1950
Beautiful story and a beautiful home for this wonderful lady! Well done, everyone!
21 Likes    
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annpossis

Such a loving, kind thing to do. I commend these parents for their thoughtfulness. And what a wonderful example they've set for those children! :)

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RazKo Multi-Tech

Thank you, Houzz for telling us this remarkable story about beauty and love

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kris8521
Awesome
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Tonya Hogg-Ham
What a generous and beautiful gift for a beautiful woman. The place is absolutely a dream and the parents of the children definitely gave her the best gift ever. Heartwarming story. Thanks for sharing.
37 Likes    
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User
I can't possibly add another word to what Loves to Decorate already said so eloquently. This was absolutely heartwarming to read and I'm so happy for the homeowner.
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sunrisedesign

What a beautiful story of a giving, loving soul. How generous and respectful of the parents to give back in such a meaningful way. I am sure Sari will deeply enjoy her home.

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Stephanie Rountree

Such a beautiful story!

5 Likes    
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aca1998

Wonderful!!!

4 Likes    
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irishkm

Well done parents, children and families! Such a beautiful, thoughtful and generous thank to this wonderful woman!

4 Likes    
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cestode

This is so sweet. Heart warming and uplifting. What a noble way to keep on saying thankyou. And what generosity of spirit to acknowledge her efforts so very very touchingly.

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doodle11

what a wonderful generous group......I imagine a daycare takes a lot of abuse! Now, she can rest and relax in beautiful new things. What an amazing gift


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gilsonia

Great to read about such heart-warming stories as this one...well done!

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dorablast

The renovation is beautiful but the story is spectacular and a tearjerker ... thank you to this group of parents and families for brightening her next chapter and touching our hearts with your thoughtfulness and action.

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shaunakathleen

Now that is how to “Pay it Forward”!!!

7 Likes    
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ekwilkins

How very fortunate this community was to have a lady that didn't just run a daycare facility but truly loved their children while doing it. What a wonderful way to come together and thank the person that truly helped shape their children.

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aiwen

❤️❤️❤️


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kshomeschool

I love all the colors and furnishings in this home! Can you share what color paint is in the bedroom and bathroom? Thanks!

   
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Deborah Ford

What a heartwarming story!! I'm so happy for Dina. She gave so much to the children she kept over the years and what a lovely tribute from the parents to give to her!

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jude
What a wonderful story of kindness..
3 Likes    
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errogers
As everyone has said, such generosity. Graciously received and graciously given. And now credit given to the designers, what you achieved in this condo is absolutely beautiful. It is unusual for me when I see a redo that I absolutely love everything, but this is one situation where I actually do. Everyone involved in this project has done an exceptional job!!
5 Likes    
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Gloria Bauer

WOW! How special.

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debmarie7

The designers did an amazing job. I love everything. It's beautiful. The blue paint on the bar area, the huge mirror in the livingroom are stand outs.

4 Likes    
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Cindy Smith
Wow, what an amazing gift of love and appreciation. Happy Retirement Dina!
3 Likes    
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hidesertkath

Beautiful story! Thank you for sharing. We all need to hear stories about caring people who can come together to do something wonderful for another person. Such a lovely gift for a very deserving lady!

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Hayley Wise
WOW!!!! What a beautiful gift for a lovely lady that so obviously made a HUGE positive impact on so many children and their families!!
4 Likes    
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lesleycurl

First, this is the best Houzz story thus far, second, it was done without a gut remodel, and third, I have gotten tons of great decorating ideas from the remodel!

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kpolovina

this story!

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Tatjana Grebenjuk ( Baa)

I love people with kind hearts in this story.

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deeners1

Glad to hear this!

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Studio h2o

if you are going to show an overhang for bar stools, don't show a chair sitting in that position!

2 Likes    
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Julie

This is a lovely story in so many ways. What a grateful community, and kudos for taking design to the next level by your commitment to consider it gift-worthy!!!!

1 Like    
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HU-9155449289

Inspirational, loving & beautiful

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simply done

Nice story & loved the changes

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Laquitha Schoenberger

Happy Happy story!!

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Donna Gaines

Great Lady, soo glad the parents did something for her!❤️

5 Likes    
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jannyne

What a sweet story! Wonderful gift they gave her!

6 Likes    
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Turnsole Property Solutions Inc

Beautiful story of gratitude!

8 Likes    
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Ramona Jackson

Gorgeous. What was the budget for this project?


   
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Moulin Bleu

She's so beautiful in every way! The renovation of her condo, sublime. This is was America is about, love and taking care of those that have given so much.

   
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Nancy Fisher

So good to hear about wonderful day care experiences! This was good and right on so many levels!


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Dennis Ishida

Man that made me cry, what a great story. We need more of this!

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Elise

What a wonderful gift. Saari must be a wonderful woman. And the remodeling is gorgeous!

4 Likes    
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mathias zadok
Awesome
3 Likes    
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pjscdj

The condo is beautiful so bright and airy. Such a heartwarming story from grateful parents. She must be an incredible lady.

4 Likes    
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Megan Daline

So sweet.

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maude321

Heart warming. People do care!

3 Likes    
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jimandposey

Giving back is so much better than taking!

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Kim Vizzini
Love love love this story! Happy retirement! And thank you to the people that did this for her! Amazing and beautiful!
2 Likes    
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Donna Gaines

They paid it forward!!! It’s great to see when people take care of a person whom made it possible for them to go to work AND not agonize about thier child’s welfare, and happiness!

3 Likes    
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cdapilos

Very touching gratefulness for an amazing lady. I feels so grateful as well to the parents who valued the love of a woman in behalf of their children. How I wish there will be more healthy minded individuals in this world who knows how to appreciate and be thankful.

4 Likes    
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Shelley Fournier

This story is so beautiful. I provided childcare in my home for 7 years to be able to stay home with my own kids. It takes so much love and dedication to do this job. I was ready to move into another "career" after that amount of time. People like Saari that can do this for over 2 decades are really special people with so much love to give to other people's children. I wish her a very happy retirement!

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lauraoffice

This story made me smile!

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Marcy Sepp

What a wonderful story! I too did daycare in my home for 6 years while my kids were young. It's definitely not an easy job and to do it as long as this woman did is amazing.

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Elisabeth
Lovely story
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oliviasofia

What a beautiful lady, and a extremely amazing story, It just made me cry through the whole presentation. Yes, there are wonderful people in this world.

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PRO
Meridian Furniture

What an incredible, heartwarming story ❤️

Outstanding interior design work by Studio Revolution!

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User

I echo all the positive comments above and then some. It's amazing what a group of people who care about the caregiver can do. My hat's off to them and their marvelous Lady Dina.

On a note about the designing, I do like how the blue of the sofa fits the backside of the island as well as the vanity of the bath as it melds the spaces subtly. It's just as Lady Dina has done with entire generations of children and their adult families. A lasting impression for all to pass along.

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thesisstupid

One of the most wonderful stories EVER!

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Liza Hausman

This one made me cry, what a lovely story.

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pmfoster4
What an absolutely wonderful story!
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Susan Greene

Beautiful story about a beautiful lady. It's so gratifying to see her goodness rewarded by the generosity of the families whose children she watched for 22 years. Bravo all!

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Siew Bee Tan

This one made me cry, what a wonderful world with LOVE

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artdreamer

That is really so beautifull, I am so much touched.What a wonderfull beautifull lady, and what of beautifull families, thank you for the wonderfull movie

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Daniela Acosta

So beautifull!

   
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mlopez_ponce

What a fantastic story - beautiful and uplifting!

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lmckuin

Thanks for such an uplifting story. Dina sounds like an amazing gift of a women and I love that the families saw how special she is and pulled together to do something so nice for her. I hope she has a wonderful life in her new gorgeous condo.

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Mirna Hassan
I cried watching this beautiful video ♡♡♡Is this for real ?? I bet this lady deserves this and more...
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tara olarinmoye
Well deserved and so so beautiful
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Judy Fields

This was a beautiful story that brought tears to my eyes!! What a wonderful community effort to thank a truly amazing woman!! May she enjoy many years of continued joy in her life!!

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Éva Rozsa

This is beautiful and touching me. Lovely women.

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Forooq Saniei
perfect
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kathylucylucy

Thankyou houzz for this wonderful story. it moved to tears Iam so pleased that the parents got it . this lady gave them so much children really only need love . Lots of time home child care gets a bad rap thankyou sooo much

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Sonya Stevens Reid
What a beautiful, heartwarming story, really warmed my heart and brought tears (of joy) to my eyes
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PRO
NetEquity Real Estate

Wow, what a great story. Thank you for sharing.

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Nicola Fazio
God bless the caregiver and the wonderful parents. The world is full of ugly but it’s also filled with kind empathetic people.
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jamorah
Beautiful lady, and beautiful makeover!!!
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Brenda Tenas

What an awesome commitment, to give back to someone who gave so much of herself to the children!

The families who gave back were very thoughtful... Its so beautiful! Great Job!

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Dana Veach

What a wonderful story...and wonderful design result as well!

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Prince Fafa
This story has reinforced in me the firm conviction that humanity has a hope..
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spuraway

A beautiful story. That, is the true U.S.A


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Naomi Bowen

It's said that what we put out we receive in return. For 22 years, Dina gave loving care to children in her own home. When she retired the parents returned the love with the gift of a beautiful redesign of her condo. What a lovely love-circle Dina started and the parents completed!

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XenoXenia Page

I truly hope she will be very happy there. These parents and the Houzz group have done a wonderful thing and wonderful work .

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Kathleen Peterson

What a wonderful thing to do for a former day care "grammie". She must be thrilled with it, and the color and designs are so well done. I have a feeling she will be very pleased to live there and have these remembrances of "her children" and their families. A wonderful gesture of warmth and love! Way to go, Parents!

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PRO
Props

A lovely story! She must be a remarkable person! Made my day!

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Sur Hall

Beautiful updates for a beautiful soul! Love and goodness are alive and well!

   
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Elvira Stavrowsky

My favorite story about love and design!

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acwyllie

How inspirational and kind! Nice to know their are still good people in this world!

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veronicaokumu

Amazing

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Mickey

Absolutely lovely, starting with the shared commitment to caring and giving back!

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Mary-Anne Matthews

What an awesome group of parents who recognized that Dina was more than a caregiver to their children and wanted to do something to celebrate and thank her.


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