This summer has been nothing short of astounding.
It all began with one of the most thoughtful gifts my husband has ever given me: a weekend getaway to Savannah and Tybee Island, Georgia. Savannah has been on my bucket list since I was still living in Illinois, and finally seeing it with my own eyes was everything I had hoped for and more.
One of the things I love most about living in north Georgia is that the ocean is only about four hours away. It’s close enough that a spontaneous weekend trip is completely reasonable, yet far enough inland that I don’t spend hurricane season worrying every time a storm forms in the Atlantic. I truly feel like I get the best of both worlds: mountains to the north and the ocean to the southeast.
We stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott in downtown Savannah, and I honestly couldn’t have picked a better location. Everything we wanted to see was within walking distance, so we parked the truck and explored the city on foot. And explore we did, until I literally couldn’t walk anymore. By the end of the weekend, I had developed the worst blisters I’ve ever experienced. The bottoms of my feet looked like they had been completely de-gloved…equal parts horrifying and impressive.
The pain was absolutely worth it. Savannah is unlike anywhere I’ve ever been, though if I had to compare, I would say it’s similar in energy and building to New Orleans, Louisiana. A few people told me that it is similar to St. Augustine, Florida as well. The city is rich with history, beautiful architecture, towering live oaks draped in Spanish moss, and a nightlife that gives the entire city an almost magical energy after sunset.
Throughout our trip, I found myself returning to the Savannah River again and again. There was something grounding about standing along the waterfront, watching the ships drift by. No matter where we wandered, the river felt like a beacon that gently called me back.
During our visit, we packed as much into one weekend as we possibly could. We wandered through Forsyth Park and admired its famous fountain, explored the local art market, rode the historic trolley through the city, visited Bonaventure Cemetery to pay our respects to the generations who came before us, and made our way to Tybee Island where we explored the lighthouse, Fort Screven, Battery Garland, and of course spent time at the beach…twice. One unexpected highlight was meeting Myles, who created a beautiful portrait of us that we’ll treasure for years to come.
Then, on our drive home, the universe had one more surprise waiting. We stumbled across one of my favorite movie locations: the real Whistle Stop Café in Juliette, Georgia from Fried Green Tomatoes. Walking around felt surreal. They had recreated little pieces of the film throughout the property, including grave markers for many of the characters…yes, even Buddy’s arm. If you know, you know. It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable weekend.
June brought another adventure. Matt had a delivery scheduled in Wilmington, North Carolina, and I happily volunteered to tag along. The destination was Yeti’s Scoops, a brand-new Yeti-themed ice cream shop preparing to open its doors just one week later. The owners welcomed us with so much kindness and excitement. They gave us a personal tour of the shop, sharing their dreams and vision for what they were building. Watching people pour their hearts into something they’ve dreamed about for years is incredibly inspiring.
Matt delivered their enormous Bigfoot-turned-Yeti mascot, Eddie the Yeti, who now proudly greets visitors and patiently waits for countless selfies. If you’re ever in Wilmington, I highly recommend stopping by to say hello. I can’t wait to return someday and actually try the ice cream.
After unloading in the summer heat, we checked into our hotel. And yes… Another Courtyard by Marriott. I think we may have accidentally found our favorite hotel chain.
Once we had cooled off, we made our way to Wrightsville Beach. Parking a giant box truck near the coast wasn’t exactly easy, but somehow we managed. The moment my feet hit the sand, I did what I always do. I ran. I ran toward the Atlantic while the waves rushed toward me, and for a few perfect moments, it felt like I was greeting an old friend.
We spent the afternoon playing in the surf, searching for shells, and, naturally, I took hundreds of photographs. As the evening settled in, we grabbed an Uber and enjoyed dinner together before heading back to the hotel. Simple moments often become the ones we remember the longest.
While we’ve been traveling, another member of our family has been making memories of her own. My daughter has spent nearly the entire summer playing Allstar Softball. She recently competed in a tournament in Anniston, Alabama, where her team brought home third place.
Personally, I think that’s incredible. Her coach, and aunt, knows they’re capable of even more, but she also recognizes just how brutal the summer heat has been. Sometimes simply pushing through those conditions is a victory all on its own.
Their final tournament is coming up on July 25th, once again in Anniston, and regardless of where they place, I’m incredibly proud of how hard she’s worked this season.
There was one more milestone this summer that quietly marked the end of an era for me. Yesterday, Ms. Sherry officially sold the building that had once been home to Forever And A Day. It wasn’t just another storefront. It was a place where I learned, created, met incredible people, and poured a piece of myself into something I genuinely loved. Watching the building pass into someone else’s hands felt bittersweet. At the same time, I know that’s the nature of life. Places change. People move on. New dreams take root where old ones once bloomed. In a way, it feels fitting that a summer filled with new adventures also closed the door on one of my favorite chapters.
As I sit here reflecting on the past few months, I realize this summer wasn’t defined by one big moment. No, it was made up of dozens of little ones: the sound of waves breaking on the shore, the peace I found beside the Savannah River, the excitement of watching someone else’s dream come to life, long walks beneath Spanish moss, history tucked into every street corner, photography that helped me slow down and truly see the world around me, and cheering my daughter on from the sidelines.
This summer reminded me that life doesn’t always require extravagant vacations or perfect plans to become unforgettable. Sometimes all it takes is saying “yes” to the next adventure, wherever it leads. And if this is what summer has looked like so far, I can’t help but wonder what the rest of the year still has waiting for us.
There was one more milestone this summer that quietly marked the end of an era for me.
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