I grew up in the Santiam Canyon of the Willamette Valley. When I graduated high school I
moved away and swore I was never coming back. Growing up in a small town can be a
blessing and a curse: everybody knows each other, people are always willing to give a helping
hand, and nothing ever changes. Also, nothing-ever-changes.

My lovesick heart and desire for adventure whirled me up and landed me in Alabama. I had
never been so far from home. You never get used to that heat and those Southern folks sure
do love to talk. They never met a stranger, so in a way, it was just like being back home. I loved
it! But it never really was home.

The wind switched direction and sent me to Washington state where I continued my education
in psychology and business. The weather was cold, and I quickly learned that “Seattle Freeze”
was not about the weather; making friends was tough. I was longing for that small-town community feel and I missed my family.

I had made Washington my home but couldn’t stop thinking about Oregon. So I threw on my
ruby slippers, clicked my heels together three times, and came home. I am overjoyed to be back
in the beautiful Willamette Valley. There really is no place like home. It is my privilege to be back
where I have always belonged, serving my community, and I will NEVER leave home again.

Let me help you find YOUR ruby slippers.