As my husband, my son and I say goodbye to Beaufort, please understand you will never be forgotten to us. Four and half years ago, my husband and I moved here and you took us in. You greeted us, wrapped your arms around us and made us one of your own. My son moved here a year later and you did the same for him.

The last four years have had their share of ups (seeing our youngest son become a Marine at Parris Island and a grandson born in Georgia) and downs (we won’t go there…we are just thankful we came out better people for having gone through it). We became a true part of this community by working and volunteering with the Chamber, working with <em>The Island News, </em>becoming a part of the task force for The Boys and Girls Club for Northern Beaufort County, graduating from Leadership Beaufort, being a part of Beaufort Business Networking International, helping with the Healing Heroes Fund and the Beaufort International Film Festival.

I can tell you if you live in this amazing community and cannot find something to do, you are not looking. From Bottles and Brews, to the Water Festival to Harvest Fest to the Shrimp Festival to Island Girls Night Out…Beaufort truly has something for everyone. And may I say, if you have not witnessed a graduation of Marines from Parris Island, please make time to see this. These young men and women are the ones who make it possible for us to sleep soundly at night. Please thank them and give them your respect.

The local business’ here are to be commended and shopped. Visit Bay Street, Port Royal, Lady’s Island, St. Helena and Hunting Island and discover the treasures that each has to offer. Thank you to <em>The Island News, </em>CVS, Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce, Carolina Tavern, Carolina Air, Pepsi Beverage Company and all the individuals that hired Crazy H Handyman Services.

With special thanks to Ashton Pointe Apartments and some dear friends there, Captured Moments, Hot Heads Salon, Old Bull Tavern, Wrens, Breakwater, Fat Patties, Luthers &amp; Plums, Yes! Thai Indeed, Dempsey Farms and Pinckney Produce for making sure we were well fed &amp; taken care of.

Thank you to Broad Marsh Animal Hospital for giving us our 4-legged baby, Sea Island Animal Hospital and Animal Medical Center for helping to take care of our Bella. I must say that of all the hospitals I have had a chance to visit, Beaufort Memorial has been amazing.

The last four years have been so incredible for us and the memories will be with us always. Thank you to all of the wonderful people we consider friends and family, the good times we have shared and the memories we will cherish. We will be back to visit this wonderful community and its lovely people. Have a cocktail for us, catch a fish, shoot a great round of golf or just enjoy a sunset and wave to your neighbor but please make time to become a part of this incredible town and its history.
<p style="padding-left: 390px;">With love from Georgia headed to Texas,
<em>Nikki, Bubba, and Dylan Hardison </em></p>