I have spent almost all of my 28 years living in Harford County. I am a Sales Consultant, spokesperson for our TV commercials, Subaru Love Promise Champion, and Trade Up Coordinator at Bel Air Subaru/Jones Junction.
I love being involved in our community. This will be my second year as a “Super Plunger,” where we raise money for MD Special Olympic athletes by plunging 24 times in 24 hours in the freezing January waters of the Chesapeake Bay. My plunge partner is Danny, a local Harford County Special Olympics athlete, and he’s absolutely wonderful. Danny and his parents happen to live on the same street as my parents, and their neighborhood is extremely supportive of our plunge. His motto is “Keepin’ it Real,” a reminder to live life authentically!
While I hold many titles, like being a daughter, sister, aunt Jenny, friend, and favorite coworker… My favorite title is probably “momma” to my senior cat, Ray Ray. It’s been almost a year since I brought him home and I made a promise to give him the best life I could. Even though he has his own room and a luxury cat tower, he still picks cuddling with me, so I’ll assume that he loves that I’m his mom, too.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
With the exception of my brother, we all still live in Harford County. My family is super close, so not having my brother here is tough… and rather than label him as a traitor, I remind myself he’s living a beautiful life in Washington state with his amazing wife, and I now have a place to stay when I want to see a giant space needle-it is actually pretty cool. My parents are adorable- my mom is part of her neighborhood book club and we went to a Paint Night at the Coffeehouse on Mainstreet last month. My dad loves- and I mean loves- golf. He will show you his golf swing, guaranteed. My parents are also only a few years away from hitting their 40th wedding anniversary- awe! Watching my sister and brother-in-law be parents is extremely wholesome. All of us recently participated in the Bel Air Town 5k/1 mile walk.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I love the bond and relationships I’ve built with our customers over the years. Yes, I help you with the purchase of a beautiful new car! But my favorite part is when you come in for service and show me pictures of your kids and how much they’ve grown, when I’ve seen you work hard and save over the last 2 years so you could purchase your dream WRX, and the hug we give each other after an accident and you’re safe. I love being part of Jones and Subaru because of how much they give back to our community. One of my favorite events last year was when we had 4 of the cutest dogs ever in our showroom from the Harford Humane Society that were available for adoption. I almost cried when all 4 found new homes that day.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I recently started eating at Savona and it was an immediate favorite. The employees make you feel at home and it has all of my favorite Italian foods. They even have those “S” cookies that my Nana would dip in coffee. I’m not ashamed to admit that I order from Vagabond at least 3 times a week. Newberry’s donuts are a regular part of my diet. This is also my answer to the “if you were stranded on an island and could only eat one type of food” question. Also, anywhere I can order chicken wings- like Earth, Wood & Fire’s coal fire ones and Steelefish’s honey old bay.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
With the exception of a few years during college, I’ve lived in Harford County my whole life.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Oh man, I have honestly only seen a handful of movies. I know, I know…. And I’m sorry I haven’t seen it, but I’ll add it my “list” that’s really a note on my phone I can’t find anymore. I usually have a TV show playing as background noise while I’m folding laundry and not something I have to watch. Something on HGTV, The Real Housewives, any documentary. I have a ton of favorite books though!
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Try new things. What if it goes well? And, show up. As you are is just fine.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Savory Deli’s breakfast sandwiches. Anytime I eat a snowball from a snowball stand.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
David Attenborough sounds fun. He’s the guy that does the narrating for a ton of Planet Earth episodes and BBC documentaries. If it sounds good to him, I would like to eat cold cuts from Jersey Mikes at Rock State Park and request that he narrate the wildlife around us.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love the feeling of family in our community. You know those little conversations you have with the person standing in line at a store behind you? I love these little moments because now we’re both laughing and waiting doesn’t seem so bad anymore. I love hearing stories from people whose families have lived here for generations, and hearing the history of different properties and roads. Has anyone told the story yet about the cow that used to live where the Harford Mall is now?
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I see myself as happy and, hopefully, more physically active.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
My friends and family will joke that I’m a grandma. But I don’t think they quite know how far… I recently started learning embroidery for fun. I’ve finished an entire Sudoku book this year and wished it was more difficult. I could really use a nap in the afternoon, and would choose going to bed with my cat at 9pm on a Saturday night over most things.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Walks with a friend at the Ma & Pa trail and Annie’s Playground. Crabby Axe Throwing- trust me, throwing an axe at a wall feels great. And, people with a great laugh. We all know the ones.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Hmm, is it weird to say myself? Other people inspire me, of course. But at the end of life, the person you spent the most time with is yourself. I want to look back and think my childhood self would be excited and proud of the life she is about to live.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Peace, love, and Ray Ray.