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'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition': Veteran moved by installation featuring lines from wife's 91 love letters

Carrie put up a unique love wood installation that made the Merlos family tear up because it featured select few lines from Stephanie's 91 love letters that she wrote to Mario when he was deployed
UPDATED MAR 20, 2020
(HGTV)
(HGTV)

'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' returned with yet another emotional episode, in which two army veterans - Ernesto Olivares and Mario Merlos - and their families get a home they have always wanted for a fresh start. 

The design team of Carrie Locklyn, Breegan Jane, and Darren Keefe have always ensured their highlight be an element of the family's lives together in the house. And this time too it was no different.

Carrie put up a unique love wood installation that made the Merlos family extremely emotional because it featured select few lines from Stephanie's 91 love letters that she wrote to Mario (her husband) when he was deployed. Carrie made sure the emotions were captured well and made for an interesting and special attraction of the house. The lines "A day without you...is like a day without sunshine" from the letters would be a perfect reminder of what their love has brought them through, Carrie said.

With the help of another volunteer, whose husband had died and was a veteran as well, Carrie was able to put together a beautiful work of art that really spoke and highlighted Mario and Stephanie's love story. They are high school sweethearts and got married in 2011. But, soon he joined the training camp but made Stephanie promise she would write to him. And it was her letters that got him through that phase of harsh discipline. 

The struggle was real for the couple. Especially, after their daughters, Leah and Camilla, came into their lives. The kids took their time to come to terms with the fact that Mario was their father and he will be sticking around. 

Mario and Stephanie were flushed to see the love wood installation and were pleasantly surprised to see lines taken out of their letters to each other. It truly is, a very special reminder of the tough times they have braved together and come this far. And the best bit, they remember all of what they had said and written to each other all those years ago, which goes on to show how much of an ideal couple the two are.

Meanwhile, the Olivares family got a dog duplex among the many special elements that make up for their extremely cozy home. The two families used to share the dog, Sam, but she was later taken in by the Olivares family after the Merlos' landlord wouldn't allow pets. 

Meanwhile, fans are thrilled about the duplex that Sam has gotten. A dream house for her too. "This doggy duplex concept will be fun to see unfold! #HGTVExtreme #OnHGTV #LiveTweetCrew," a viewer shared, while another wrote: "Awesome families tonight, and a duplex! That's a new one. #HGTVExtreme #LiveTweetCrew."

Catch all the new episodes of 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' on HGTV every Sunday. 

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