It’s hard to believe it has already been one year since Hurricane Helene tore through the Carolinas and Tennessee. Even now, I still remember the pit in my stomach as I scrolled social media, seeing post after post from friends in Western NC who were literally fleeing for their lives. The images were horrific—homes washed away, roads crumbling, families stranded. Meanwhile, here in Salisbury, we sat scared in our cozy home, without power, feeling helpless as the storm raged.

When we finally ventured back online, the devastation was everywhere. I think that’s what made it so heavy—knowing that the places we love so dearly, where our friends and family live, were forever changed.

This past March, our family drove through Western NC and into Eastern Tennessee on our way to Gatlinburg for spring break. The heartbreak was still visible everywhere—scars in the mountainsides, roads under repair, and communities still piecing things back together. It was sobering to realize just how much had been lost and how long recovery really takes.

But even in the middle of all that brokenness, there was hope. We saw resilience in every small town, every rebuilt business, every neighbor lending a hand. Western North Carolina is strong—it’s a place that doesn’t just survive storms, but rebuilds with faith and determination.

For us, Western NC has always been more than a place on the map. My husband is a proud graduate of Western Carolina University, and those mountains feel like home to us. We’ve even dreamed of retiring there one day. Watching Helene leave such a scar was personal, but it also deepened our love for the region and the people who call it home.

One year later, I’m still reminded that even when storms leave devastation, hope always rises. Communities heal. Mountains stand firm. And life goes on—sometimes slower than we’d like, but always moving forward.

Western NC, you are in our hearts today and always. 💜