A New Chapter on Birch Street for Chris “Cdub” Ward

From Mrs. Popovich’s after-school computer class to keys in the door of a brand-new Birch Street home – this is the story of Chris “Cdub” Ward, and the friendship that grew up right alongside him.

The Man Behind the Front Door

Before we talk about the house, you have to know the man. Christian James Ward, the “raider” of 69 Spring Garden in Garfield, NJ, is the kind of guy you describe in roles because one title isn’t enough: best bowler I know, pest control expert, gym junkie, PSE&G pipe fitter, father, husband, and my number one friend.

We go all the way back to Mrs. Popovich’s after-school computer class. Two kids who just happened to walk home in the same direction and ended up walking a whole life together: high school football, Hoboken and Morristown nights out, random family parties where he just blended right in.

We didn’t plan the friendship. We just kept walking home together, and somewhere on those sidewalks it turned into family.

When Chris got married, we celebrated the only way we know how: full-send Beer Olympics bachelor weekend in the Poconos. That’s the type of guy he is – loyal, competitive, all-in, but always with a big heart for his people.

From Construction Nightmare to “Great American Home”

The next big chapter came with 705 Birch Street in Boonton, NJ – the 2025 project. On paper, it was a dream: a three-level, wrap-around-porch kind of home where a working man can come back from a long day on the pipes and feel like a king.

Reality, like always, made him earn it. The “terror of August” contractor turned out to be a con man. Delays, stress, broken promises – the kind of mess that would make a lot of people quit on the whole idea. Chris didn’t. He pushed through, one problem at a time, until the house finally became what it was always meant to be: move-in ready and built for the long haul.

Curb Appeal: A Home That Feels Like a Hug

Step back and look at the place from the sidewalk and you see it immediately: a great American home with old-school bones and fresh energy. Three levels stacked with potential, windows all around catching the light, and a purple pop of color that says, “We’re not boring. We’re here to live.”

The wrap-around porch is instant classic. White gated fencing frames the property, giving privacy without feeling shut off from the street. You can picture kids racing bikes on the sidewalk while people kick back on the porch with coffee, a game on the radio, and neighborhood stories floating in the air.

In the driveway, a brand-new Ford F-150 Lightning–style truck sits ready – perfect symbol of Chris himself: built to work, built to move, and still looking sharp at the end of the day.

The First Floor: Built for People, Food, and Stories

Welcoming Entryway

Open the front door and you’re greeted by a wide entryway that doesn’t rush you. The hallway guides you straight ahead, but it also gives you that moment to exhale, hang up a coat, and feel the house take your weight off your shoulders.

Sitting Room with Fireplace and Dragon Light

To one side, the sitting room sets the tone. A fireplace anchors the space, wrapped in deep mahogany cherry molding, rich wood floors underfoot, and a dragon chandelier overhead – a little bit bold, a little bit mythical, very Cdub.

This is the room for late-night talks, holiday photos, and quiet winter nights when the fire is on and everyone’s phones are finally put away.

Pocket-Door Flow: Dining Room to Family Room

Pocket doors slide open into the dining room, where another fireplace and a crafted mirror bring warmth and reflection to the space. It’s easy to imagine long tables, family dinners, pizza nights, and those “one more story, then I’ll go home” nights with friends.

That room then wraps naturally into the living room / family room, with the TV up on the wall and a rounded window seating area beyond. It’s the kind of open flow that can handle everything: Sunday games, kids’ toys, quiet movie nights, and big birthday parties.

The Kitchen: Granite, Cherry, and Sunday Sauce

Past the TV, you hit the heart of any good home: the kitchen. A large granite island stands ready for chopping, plating, and leaning on while stories get told. Cherry wood cabinets line the walls – practical, sturdy, and warm.

A door leads out to a cozy backyard, an easy step to fresh air and summer barbecues. In the back, a large garage waits not just for tools and gear, but for what really matters: storage space and a dedicated zone for pasta and meatball making sessions that turn into family tradition.

The Second Floor: Rest, Light, and Everyday Life

Modern Bathroom with Room for Real Life

Upstairs, the first thing that stands out is the modern bathroom. A stand-alone toilet area, a tub perfect for kids’ baths, and a large glass shower lined with wave-pattern mosaic tile. It’s practical, but it also has that little spa vibe that makes a regular Tuesday feel a bit better.

Bedrooms with Character and Calm

Each bedroom has its own personality, but they share a theme: light and comfort. Entryway bay windows open up the rooms, stained glass details catch the sun, and multiple windows keep everything bright and warm.

These are rooms where kids can grow up, where guests feel like they’re at home, and where Chris and his family can finally shut the door, breathe, and recharge.

The Third Level: Storage, Play, and Peace

Up top, the third level gives them something a lot of homes promise but rarely deliver: flex space that actually works.

There’s space for storage so the rest of the house can stay clean and open, but there’s more than that: room for a kids’ play area, a small home gym for a true gym junkie, and even a “peace room” – a little hideout for quiet time when life downstairs gets loud.

Friendship Woven into Every Wall

What makes this home special isn’t just the wood, the tile, or the windows. It’s knowing what it took to get here. The kid from the after-school computer lab, the football teammate, the guy from Hoboken and Morristown nights out, the Poconos Beer Olympics champion – that same Chris Ward is now stepping into this next chapter as a husband, father, and homeowner.

I see this house as a physical version of everything we’ve lived through: the long walks home, Friday night lights, random family gatherings, and all the wins and losses in between. The porch, the fireplaces, the kitchen island, the backyard and garage – all of it is set up for more memories, more laughter, and more “remember when” stories.

Some people just buy a house. Chris fought for one, rebuilt the dream after a bad contractor, and still came out smiling. That’s why this place feels different.

Looking Ahead

Now the house is ready: three levels of possibility, a porch waiting for summer nights, a kitchen ready for meatballs and Sunday sauce, rooms full of light for the kids, and a driveway with a truck that says, “Let’s get to work.”

I’m proud of this home, but more than that, I’m proud of my friend: Chris “Cdub” Ward – bowler, worker, protector, family man, and the best friend a guy can ask for. This house on Birch Street isn’t the end of the story. It’s just the start of the next chapter.