A House of Dreams
The House with the Pink Front Door:
A House of Dreams for the Ramon Family
By Elizabeth Bobbitt | Photography by Lynn Yao
For Michelli and Tim Ramon, their vibrant, eclectic home represents the culmination of years of hard work and big dreams. Built in 1941 and lit with the glow of purple fairy lights, their house celebrates the realization of one of their most cherished aspirations.
“My husband and I are both first-generation college graduates. My dad was a migrant worker, and he would put us in his truck when we were little and drive us to 78209. We would go up and down these streets, and he would tell us that if we worked really hard, we might be able to live in this neighborhood one day. Buying this house was our dream come true,” Michelli says.
When the Ramon’s son, Buster, began taking piano lessons at the home of a 78209 neighbor, Michelli unknowingly stumbled upon the house that would become her family’s much-loved home.
“When we first moved to Alamo Heights, we were living in a tiny bungalow, and my son took piano lessons here. As we walked up the sidewalk to Buster’s first piano lesson, I knew this was the house of my dreams. I told Buster’s piano teacher that if her family was ever interested in selling their home, I would buy it. It turned out they were looking to downsize, and we ended up buying each other’s houses,” Michelli says.
Buster’s piano teacher gifted her piano to the Ramon’s, which still stands in a corner of their sitting room. This unlikely story of community connection is what the Ramons most value about living in 78209.
“We love that our son can climb over the fence in our backyard to go visit his friend,” Tim says.
Living in the 78209 community is also a poignant reminder of Michelli’s father, who passed away before the Ramons moved to Alamo Heights.
“Living in our house helps me feel connected to my dad and the lessons that he taught me. He would be so excited to see us living here,” Michelli adds.
Living, Working, and Writing in ‘09
While Tim works from home in clinical research, Michelli owns Bird and Branch, a therapy office located on Broadway that specializes in treating women’s mental health. Her concierge practice is deeply rooted in the friendships and support Michelli has found in the Alamo Heights community.
“I became a social worker in 2004, and I met Stephanie Hughes when we worked together at Alamo Heights High School. Stephanie worked as a guidance counselor, and I was the wellness coordinator. In 2011, I opened Bird and Branch, and Stephanie and Amber Meegan joined the practice in 2023. I have a wonderful interconnectedness with all of my partners. My daughter, Cameron, also works part-time with us,” Michelli says.
In the spring of this year, Michelli published her first book, A Book for Girls. It is a bright pink volume, full of lessons and inspirations that Michelli has collected in her therapy practice over the years.
“My book is structured as if a self-help manual and a poetry book had a baby. It contains all of the wisdom I’ve gleaned from the women I’ve treated in therapy,” Michelli says.
Savoring the Beauty of Neighborhood Life
Now that they are firmly fixed in their ideal home, Michelli and Tim are dedicated to relishing each moment of their life in 78209.
“We want to slow down and enjoy each other and what’s in front of us. This is where it’s at and where we want to be,” Tim says.
Since moving in two years ago, the Ramons have already hosted a family wedding, holiday celebrations, baby showers, and a poetry night.
“Everything happens here. It’s the party house — the place where everyone meets,” Tim says.
On their favorite slow days, the Ramons can hear a quintessential Alamo Heights sound: the distant cadences of the high school band practicing in the early morning.
“We love hearing the band play. Even though our son has never actually attended Alamo Heights, he feels very connected to this special community. He loves being a mule,” Michelli says.
