A radiant glow gleamed from Rebecca Campbell's face Friday as she toured her new home in South Pymatuning Township, pointing out various rooms and her particular favorites.

On Friday, Ms. Campbell and her fiance Tim Reeher received the keys to their new home from Larry Warner, owner of Warner's Home and Improvements of Mercer.

It was a moment the couple had longed for.

It's been nearly five months since they were forced to move to a temporary dwelling in Hermitage. Their former home of six years at 4131 Wynwood Drive was destroyed Nov. 10, when a tornado tore through parts of South Pymatuning and Clark, devouring everything in its path.

After receiving their house keys, Ms. Campbell, Reeher, and their 15-year-old son Alex Campbell were all smiles. The family plans to begin moving in today.

"It will be very nice for them," Warner said after handing over the keys.

And while the natural disaster was a blow, the family never let it get the best of them.

Ms. Campbell, who works at Carini's Restaurant in Reynolds, said she was touched last week watching Reeher, president of the Mercer County Model Aircraft Club and an occasional race track announcer, check out the house for the first time. Reeher, who gets around in a wheelchair, went from room to room observing for a moment before moving to the next, she said.

"He was here for the first time," she said. "He stared awhile, then moved to the next room."

There's plenty of closet space, skylights and ceiling fixtures, a bathroom designed with Reeher in mind and a kitchen full of cabinets.

Ms. Campbell has planned everything for each room and can't wait to begin decorating. Alex and his brother Nick, 23, have bedrooms in the basement. A spare bedroom upstairs will be perfect for company, Ms. Campbell said.

Most of the belongings from their old home were destroyed, though some furniture was salvageable. Items such as kitchware and appliances have been replaced. Other ends still have to be tied, such as the pouring of concrete in front of the garage and completing the front and back porches. But the biggest portion of the work is done.

Alex, who attends Sharpville High School, called the new house "awesome." "I like the old one, but this is great. I just can't wait to get all the way in. And I'm waiting for the big party," he said.