When Mike and I moved into our new home, we were welcomed warmly by our neighbors, Jane and Tom Johnson. They brought over a pie and quickly became part of our lives through friendly chats, pool parties, and weekend barbecues. Everything seemed ideal—until I discovered a note hidden in a drawer from the previous owner. It read: “Beware of the Johnsons. They’ll make your life hell.”
We brushed it off as a joke until we returned from a short vacation to find our yard in chaos—garbage everywhere, a filthy pool, and damage we couldn’t explain. When we asked the Johnsons, they denied involvement. Thankfully, neighbors across the street had security footage clearly showing the Johnsons and their guests using our property without permission and causing the mess.
Instead of escalating things further, we calmly shared the footage with the community. Reactions were swift, and the Johnsons were left to explain themselves. Their actions had been exposed, and their once-friendly reputation quickly faded.
The note had been a warning we hadn’t taken seriously—but it proved accurate. While we’ve moved on from the incident, it taught us to trust our instincts and keep healthy boundaries, no matter how friendly new neighbors seem.