Back in February 2020, when everyone was on the cusp of being stuck in their homes for the foreseeable future, the O'Brien's story with Liberty Park was just getting started. Jamie and Blair, along with their fraternal twin girls, Emmie and Maddie, were busy making the most out of their new home on Heritage Hills Way. So, what does a family do when there is nowhere to go? They meet their new neighbors of course! Some of their favorite memories were those early days in their little bubble, getting out in the neighborhood and meeting everyone on their street, but let’s go back to where it all really started, in 2012 on a kickball field. 

Jamie and Blair both moved to Birmingham at the same time after college in 2011. Little did they know, their apartments were less than a mile from each other. However, fate would step in a year later on a Thursday night at the Go Kickball League after-party at Innisfree. It is here where they officially met. 

“I remember the first time I met Blair…I saw her walk into the room and just KNEW I had to talk to her,” Jamie said. “I asked my buddy if he knew her, and he said he knew the friend she was with. That’s all I needed! I walked over, as confident as I could be, and said "I saw you from across the room and just had to come say hello. I'm Jamie." He says he’ll never forget her response. The Monroeville, Ala. native responded in her proper, southern accent, “Oh, well I’m glad you did.”  A few weeks and many conversations later, he asked her to be his date to a wedding in Jacksonville, Fla. She hopped on a plane, and the rest is history.

Jamie’s professional career started in the medical device industry, and he excelled in his career for 14 years, but when he and Blair discovered they were pregnant with twins, he knew he wanted to spend as much time with the girls as possible. This started his entrepreneurial journey towards passive income, and he never looked back. He owns multiple businesses, but his two main businesses include a real estate investment company, O’Brien Homes, where he flips short-term and long-term rental homes all over Birmingham. His mission is to improve neighborhoods and provide quality, affordable housing. He is also a financial coach at Wealth Without Wall Street. Here, he helps people efficiently control their cash flow and store capital by investing in cash flowing assets, like real estate.

“His friends joke and call him, Mr. “What Can He Not Do”,” Blair laughed. From flipping homes and having a real estate license, to providing insurance and being an ordained minister, he lives up to the name. If there is a license for it, chances are he has it! However, his most prized title is “girl dad”, and he thoroughly enjoys being involved in their lives. He helps coach softball, is on the Board of Directors for Rec League and teaches Junior Achievement at their school. 

“Being a girl dad is awesome,” Jamie said. I always thought I wanted boys, but boy was I wrong. Girls have a special bond with their daddy. One that you can't beat and is hard to describe.” 

According to Jamie, girl dads carry a huge responsibility. As most girls’ first love is their father, and it’s important to lead by example with how he treats them and their mother.

“God knew what he was doing when he made me a girl dad. It's my calling and responsibility to show them how to love, care, provide and protect, while also helping them shape into wonderful human beings,” said Jamie. “I'm so lucky to be a girl dad.” 

And while Jamie is the best dad, Blair is the perfect compliment to that. 

Blair is quite the super mom, a “Queen B” if you will (that’s her name in Jamie’s phone). She’s involved in PTO, leads a Daisy Scouts troop and will be coaching Little Rebel cheer this fall. She loves staying active and is a part of FIA, Females in Action, a peer-led group workout class. When she isn’t waking up early for a fitness class, you’ll find her diving into this month’s book for Book Club. She is also a reigning champ for the Witches Ride held every Halloween in Liberty Park! But at the end of the day, she loves being a mom, and her children adore her. 

As mentioned, Emmie and Maddie are fraternal twins, and it’s no surprise their bond is like no other. “They can be independent. They are in separate classes and have their own friends, but when they’re together it’s like years have passed,” Blair added. 

The girls are in the first grade and will be celebrating a 7th birthday soon! However, Emmie is a minute older than Maddie (and she doesn’t let her forget it!) 

Like most “older” siblings, Emmie is calm and poised. She’s a rule follower and very intelligent. She’s also a fashionista and quite the diva. Maddie, on the other hand, is the class clown. She is always being silly and according to Blair is her “mini me”. 

The girls are involved in many extracurriculars. They both love attending dance classes with Mrs. Lindsey Hull at Dance Connections, but when they aren’t twirling and tapping, you’ll find them immersed in their own hobbies. Emmie loves horseback riding at Heathermoor Farm in Moody, Ala. She says her favorite part of riding is when she gets to trot. For Maddie, you’ll find her on the softball field. She plays in both rec and competitive softball leagues, and says hitting the ball is her favorite part of the game! Batter up, Maddie!

The family wouldn’t be complete without their two-year-old furbabies. Huck, a rambunctious Goldendoodle, and Willow and sweet Sheepadoodle. 

For the O’Brien’s, residing in Liberty Park has been a dream come true, and they love raising their family in such a safe and supportive community. They have zero doubts they have made lifelong friends within the neighborhood. They are members at the Church at Liberty Park, regularly support the Amanda Pair Foundation, and they frequently visit Provence Park to feed the ducks and fish. On a nice afternoon, you might find them at On Tap for a drink and a bite to eat. Blair jokes and says, “If we had a Chick-Fil-A and a Target we would never leave!”