Last week, my daughter and I went to the Minnesota High School State Volleyball Tournament for a little dad–daughter date. Nothing fancy — just the two of us in the stands, sharing snacks, cheering during long rallies, and laughing at the moments only a dad and his daughter understand.

If you’ve never watched volleyball at the state level, it’s electric. The speed, the digs, the crowd energy — it’s one of the most entertaining sports to watch live. And because my daughter plays MN Select club volleyball, she was fully locked in, analyzing rotations, calling touches, and giving her own commentary between points. Honestly, she caught things before I did.

Somewhere in the middle of all that noise, I felt something I think a lot of parents can relate to:
a pause.
A reset.
A moment that pulls you out of the hurry of everyday life.

Real estate moves fast. Parenting moves even faster. And it’s easy to forget that kids don’t stay kids very long. Sitting beside her — watching her passion for volleyball, listening to her excitement — reminded me to slow down, pay attention, and pour into the season I’m in.

Life is short.
Make a difference.
Teach and train your kids.
Be present with them.

It’s biblical without needing to preach it. Parenting is discipleship. It’s investment. It’s time. And moments like this tournament night matter more than we realize.

And as much as this was a dad moment, it also reminded me why I care so much about the families I serve in real estate. Homes aren’t about square footage — they’re about the life that happens inside them. The memories. The routines. The late dinners after practice. The car rides. The pauses.

These nights make you grateful. They make you remember what actually matters.

WE ROW TOGETHER

At Ornell Group, this isn’t a solo business.
We’re a team built on unity, collaboration, and shared standards.

We operate with one belief:

We row together.

That means we support each other, push in the same direction, and lead with our clients’ best interests. When you work with Ornell Group, you’re backed by the strength, strategy, and preparation of an entire team — not just one agent.

And as a dad, I’m proud to lead a team that lives those values inside and outside the office. Family matters here. Integrity matters here. How we show up matters.

FINAL THOUGHTS

When someone searches “Ornell” in real estate, I want them to find exactly what we stand for:

• luxury

• lakefront expertise

• northern-suburbs leadership

• proven results

• trusted guidance

• a track record built on trust and consistency

Whether you’re exploring a move, preparing to sell, or planning a new build, our team is here to guide you with clarity, strategy, and care — backed by $200M+ in sales, 200+ successful transactions, and a reputation rooted in relationships.

Your next chapter deserves a team that understands the stakes, honors your lifestyle, and delivers at a high level.

If you’re ready to talk, we’re ready to help.

ORNELL GROUP REAL ESTATE | TIM ORNELL

Tim Ornell | Real Luxury | Ornell Group Real Estate
Northern Suburbs Luxury & Waterfront Specialist
$200M+ Sold | 200+ Transactions
Real Luxury Division (Qualified by Luxury Sales Performance)
Institute for Luxury Home Marketing – GUILD Certified
[email protected] | ornellgroup.com

Content and insights provided by Ornell Group. Real estate services brokered by Real Broker. Select content enhanced with AI assistance. Market data subject to change.