Greetings ,

Cobb Life Readers.

Spring has sprung and summer is already upon us. Where has the time gone?

As Dorothy Gale from “The Wizard of Oz” once said while tapping her ruby red slippers, “There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home.”

She’s right. There really is no place like home.

A house and a home, though similar by definition, have two different meanings. A house is merely a structure of brick, mortar and cement, but a home holds much more — it’s a sacred space, a safe haven where memories are shared and love is exchanged. A home is a direct reflection of the people (and furry friends) living inside.

Ironically, my fondest memories of home were made during the strangest time of my life (and everyone’s) — the pandemic. When coronavirus made its way to Georgia, I was wrapping up my sophomore year at Kennesaw State University, living in an off-campus apartment with four best friends and bartending at a local steakhouse to make ends meet.

But when the restaurant closed its dining room, I was without a job. So, I did what most twenty-year-olds do when they’re out of options — I called my dad. He pitched the idea to break my lease, move home and save some money. While I wasn’t enamored with his proposal, especially since I would once again have to share a bathroom with my two siblings, I ultimately had no choice. But looking back, I’m sure glad I did.

Don’t get me wrong, flocking back to the nest was certainly an adjustment. With three cats, a yappy toy Australian shepherd, three stepsiblings and two remarried parents living under one roof, my blended family is a real-life Brady Bunch. I’m serious; the Heath-Boeyink household is just like a sitcom and sometimes even an unaired episode of “The Jerry Springer Show.”

But moving home was also refreshing. My family and I used the mandatory shelter-in-place to our advantage. Every morning, while sipping on a cup of coffee, my stepmom and I would browse through Pinterest for home improvement inspiration. With only a few moans and groans, my dad, brother and stepsister helped us tackle a new project every day. From refurbishing an antique loveseat to touching up the kitchen cabinets and cleaning out junk in the hallway closet, we took spring cleaning and redecorating to a whole new level.

Though we came together due to unfortunate circumstances, my family and I were able to cherish every moment with each other, even the bickering and banter — something we took for granted prior to the pandemic. So, hug your loved ones tight and remember wherever you are in the world, a home always can be found with family.

This year’s Spring/Home Issue of Cobb Life has a little something for everyone. For the home-improvement gurus, check out our cover story about two local interior designers who gave a stylish makeover to a Marietta home along with their tips and tricks to brighten up any space. The before and after transformation will astound and maybe even inspire.

Calling all music lovers. Vinyl records, which seemed to be left for dead in the 80s, are making a comeback. In fact, this physical format is making a remarkable resurgence. Readers will hear from two Cobb record stores, Sweet Melissa and Book Nook, on the revival of records. Whether you’re a vinyl aficionado, newbie in the turntable community or interested in taking the record plunge, scan through our vinyl story on page 20.

After reading about the latest renaissance of records, check out a column written by MDJ’s own Managing Editor J.K. Murphy as he teleports back to summer of 1978 working at a record-pressing plant.

For the ambitious creators, see how Lindsay Troutman of Copper & Torch mastered a unique craft in glass artistry. This creative mind has a knack for taking something ordinary and morphing it into a work of art.

For our readers with a green thumb, flip over to page 36 and see how Master Gardeners, a gardening volunteer program based out of the University of Georgia, is making Cobb bloom.

Summer ’s around the corner and now is the time to take that well-deserved vacation! Whether you’re lounging on a beach in Key West, Florida with a brew in hand, sightseeing in Hot Springs, Arkansas or taking a weekend road trip to Rome, Georgia, travel columnist Lisa Mowry has a full itinerary for these three destinations.

Braves Country is back and better than ever. Enjoy our Author Q&A with Bradsher Hayes about his book “150 Years of the Braves: From Boston to Milwaukee to Atlanta,” which details the rich history of the beloved baseball franchise.

As always, don’t forget to check out the latest May releases, noteworthy news from around Cobb, familiar faces in Cobb Scene and our Now & Then photo segment.

I hope you enjoy reading this issue just as much as I and the creators behind Cobb Life did putting together. Finally, I hope you enjoy your home and the people you share it with.

Skyler Heath Cobb Life Coordinator