Todd Burkemper has worked hard since graduating college in 2011—and luck has followed him throughout his career as an app designer and senior software developer at Buildium. But while golden job opportunities propelled him forward, he never stopped looking back, watching over his younger brother.

Todd had a home built in Wentzville, Missouri, two years after graduation and though finances were tight for awhile with a house and car payment and student loan debt, he was determined to succeed.

Although six years apart in age, Todd and Alex have always been the best of friends. When Alex graduated from college in 2017, Todd invited him to live at with him, 30 miles outside of St. Louis, instead of moving back home with mom and dad

After allowing Alex to live rent-free for six months, Todd decided it was time to start charging rent. But, unbeknownst to Alex, Todd took his full rent payment every month and made a deposit into a savings account.

Todd even added some of his own money, and hoped that one day it would provide Alex with a down payment when he decided to buy a home of his own—and during the pandemic, Alex made decided to go for it.

On May 26, his offer on a home was accepted—and the boys’ parents, being privy to the secret over the years, excitedly gathered with their sons for the surprise. And their mom wanted everyone to hear the heartwarming story.

“Although Alex was puzzled when he saw me with my camera out, he was even more confused, then completely shocked, when Todd held up a screen shot of the savings account balance on his phone,” Barbara Burkemper, told GNN. “Then, he told Alex the money was his!”

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