04/07/2026
There’s a quiet magic in returning home to Maine—a gentle reminder of just how special this place truly is.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about community—and the ways we show up for one another, especially when the world around us feels uncertain and life a little unsteady.
Today at the Lewiston YMCA, I had a quiet “aha” moment—this deep sense that I was exactly where I was meant to be.
As many of you know, I spent the last couple of months in Florida with my husband and Max. We had an amazing time—loved our neighborhood, our neighbors, the happy hours, and of course, the weather.
While I was there, I went to the YMCA almost every day. The instructors were phenomenal, but something kept standing out to me… no matter how early I arrived, nearly half the gym space was already claimed—rows of spots “saved,” with people slipping in just before class began. It left me feeling a bit unsettled and, honestly, a little irritated.
Fast forward to today—my first day at the YMCA in Lewiston. I showed up early, peeked into a full class, and honestly hesitated. It felt a bit overwhelming. As I stood there, a woman approached me, smiled, and said, “Come on in, I’ll help you out.” She grabbed a mat, set up a space right next to her, and introduced me to another woman who immediately welcomed me in.
Thirty people in that room—and it felt like community.
That small act of kindness meant everything. A reminder that sometimes it’s the simplest gestures that make you feel like you belong.
There really is no place like home. 💜
