06/24/2026
In 1998, at the age of 20, I left everyone and everything I knew and moved with my parents, dog, cat and bunny to Gilbert, Arizonaπ΅ to get a fresh start. The water tower, one main intersection, adorable downtown, fields, small-town feel and farm smell reminded me of my best childhood years spent in rural northern Florida.
I was home.
I attended and earned my Associate of Arts degree. I worked at Diane's Hallmark store. I attended church in Gilbert and dated a guy I met in the college ministry.
In the early 2000s I attended in Phoenix and met Sarah who introduced me to Drew.
My bridal tea was at when it was a tea room in 2002! My bridal luncheon was hosted at . We were married at
We lived in Paradise Valley before building our first home in Avondale, AZ where we served at and brought both of our sons home from the hospital.
When it was time for our oldest son to start kindergarten in 2012, we moved back to the east valley (a quarter mile from my parents) and have lived in Chandler-Gilbert ever since.
The and were vital to my early entrepreneurial journey. I loved serving, connecting and learning.
I hosted a "Shop hop" in Gilbert when my birthday fell on Black Friday and introduced family and friends to and what became .
In 2021 we moved from the Chandler-Gilbert border on the Chandler side to the Gilbert side.
Last week I was invited by dear friends to go to to see The Wizard of Oz and felt so happy to be in the town I love. That's when I snapped this photo.
I've always called Gilbert "my heart's home." It's true more now than ever.