Spring break is over—well, for us, anyway—and the countdown to summer has officially begun. With the occasional crisp morning, our weather is starting to show its true Floridian colors and warm up again. You know what that means: more sunshine, more events, and more opportunities to enjoy the true beauty of our area.

EXCITING EVENTS ON THE HORIZON

There are some major events coming up that you won’t want to miss. First, on Saturday, April 12, we have The Event, of course—a fundraising celebration that is incredibly near and dear to my heart. I wrote about it last month, and I hope to see many of you there supporting this meaningful cause.

Then, from April 18 through the 27, it’s time for Jeep Beach. This is another organization we at The ECC are so proud to support. We love working with local nonprofits that are making a real difference in our community, and it’s an honor to use our magazine as a platform to share their mission with you. If you own a Jeep and haven’t been to Jeep Beach yet, you’re seriously missing out. But don’t worry—Jeep or not, you can still have a blast. It’s like an extreme car show with fantastic vendors, live music, an array of food trucks, and so much more. In fact, we’ve dedicated an entire page of this issue to their official event schedule, so be sure to keep it handy as you plan your trip.

A PERSONAL JOURNEY THROUGH PONCE INLET

This month, my husband and I decided to explore Ponce Inlet for his article. I have to admit, even after living here for over 20 years, I had never climbed the lighthouse—until now. Needless to say, I was more than excited for the experience. What I didn’t anticipate was how sore I’d be for the next three days. But trust me, it was totally worth it.

CELEBRATING NEW BEGINNINGS & FAMILY MILESTONES

On a personal note, I want to share how incredibly proud I am of my nephew, Judge, who officially enlisted in the Navy and just left for boot camp. He is such a talented and remarkable young man, and we couldn’t be more excited to see where this new chapter takes him. We are so proud of you, Judge!

I also want to wish my amazing daughter, Bailey, a very happy 13th birthday! It’s hard to believe she’s officially a teenager. Watching her grow into such a smart, kind and beautiful young woman has been one of my greatest joys. Our family is growing and changing in so many ways, and I couldn’t be happier to be right here, surrounded by so much love.

Here’s to warmer days, unforgettable events, and making the most of this beautiful season.