Welcome to our world!
Won't you come on in?
Miracles, I guess,
Still happen now and then.

Every home in Victoria has its own story, many times three stories -- bedrooms upstairs, deck off the dining room on the main story, and bottom level walkout to the swing set.
But no other home in Victoria has a story like the home of Tom and Teresa Gregory.  Their home has three physical stories, not unlike those mentioned above, plus another story that has no walls or stairs, no floors or ceiling.  This story mainly consists of undefined space with lots of heart and soul.

Step into my heart;
Leave your cares behind.
Welcome to our world,
Built with you in mind.

"I was actually thinking about my Great Uncle Frank and Great Aunt Lizzy," said Teresa.  "They needed care.  They had to get out of their house because they couldn't take care of themselves anymore.  I read about somebody doing this in Excelsior so we went to visit her and see her house.  It was something we wanted to do so we contacted the county."
As for their own home on Stieger Lake Lane in Victoria, Tom had spent some of his growing up years visiting the place because it's where his grandparents lived.  It's where Frank and Oleda Greg-ory lived, more or less, until they died.
That home, "the Gregory home," has since been remodeled to the point where Tom's grandparents would not recognize it back.  But the front door is still in the same place it's always been.

Knock and the door will open;
Seek and you will find.
Ask and you'll be given
The key to this world of mine.

People are always coming and going at that home today, people from all walks and ages and stages of life.  It's a home unlike any other home in Victoria.  Its doors are open not only to Tom and Teresa, their three children and other family and friends, its doors are also open to nine residents, daily visitors of those residents, nine part time employees, and three dogs. 
Much of the time there is no knock-ing at the door because of familiarity among the various people.  All of those mentioned above, plus the miniature pinchers, are considered part of the family, quite a loving family.  Arms are always around somebody, it seems.

I'll be waiting here
With my arms unfurled,
Waiting just for you.
Welcome to our world!

Tom was born in 1961, one of nine children of Marvin and Mary Gregory of Victoria.  The children arrived in this order:  Luann, Wayne, Doris, Cindy, Jerry, Tom, Paul, Chuck, and Tony.
Teresa was also born in 1961, one of fourteen children of Duke and Mary Ann Weinzierl of St. Bonifacius.  Those child-ren also had orderly arrival:  Dave, Diane, Jean, Dan, Mary, Patty, Nancy, Dale, Jan, Joyce, Teresa, Kathy, Julie, and Mike.
Tom's parents were in the restaurant business, including with the Victoria Dairy Queen for many years and then Lord Jim's in Waconia.  Teresa's parents worked at Tonka Toys in Mound. 
Tom Gregory and Teresa Weinzierl met at the Waconia High School.  "Tom and I were in the same grade and had some classes together," said Teresa.  "No, we didn't go to the prom together.  Tom doesn't do proms.  But he was one of the captains of our football team.  He was also a wrestler and I was a wrestling cheerleader."
Tom and Teresa graduated from the Waconia High School in 1979 and con-tinued to "go together" while also going in separate directions.
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