Spring brings changes – and in Savannah, pollen, lots of pollen – and with change, there should be reflection.

My first-ever visit to Savannah was a solo one. I had just graduated college in Ohio and although I was applying literally coast-to-coast, I didn’t have a solid job, yet. This was my chance to travel, to visit friends and be free before the boughs of employment tied me down for undetermined amounts of time to one spot.

I arrived to Tybee Island about 7 a.m., I checked myself into the Dunes Inn and napped until noon. Once I was up, I hopped on a Captain Derek’s Dolphin Adventure boat ride, took myself to Sting Ray’s and had a tall glass of RJ Rockers Brewing Company’s Son of a Peach. I also walked to the IGA and bought myself some NV Meinhardt’s Tybee Island Watermelon wine.

That was nearly a decade ago. It was the best couple of days. I actually still have the wine bottle sitting atop my fridge, no longer housing wine but now serving as a vase memorializing my trip of independence and salt air.

Now, I live just 45 minutes from the shore and 20 from the lively and beautiful downtown Savannah.

It’s crazy the way life works, isn’t it? I typed in ‘beach’ in my Garmin and just went wherever it took me, but now this is my home. More than that, this is the place where my career has taken me: telling the story of the very place I ventured for a getaway vacation. Incredible.

You always have to take a step back and be in awe of where you are now. This life is wonderful if you can just take it all in.

We love hearing your stories of your favorite local staples and how those staples found their home here in the Hostess City and surrounding areas. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’ve got a great recommendation of a local story for us to cover.

This article appears in Apr 14-19, 2021.