The 3 Amigos & Our Honorary Amigo
The friendships, adventures, and memories behind Waves of Sunshine Adventures.
Every business has a story, and ours started long before Waves of Sunshine Adventures became a reality.
It started with three friends: Marianne, Jim, and Crystal.
Somewhere along the way, between cruises, adventures, plenty of laughter, and probably a little too much mischief, someone started calling us the 3 Amigos. The name stuck, and so did the friendship.
We shared a love for traveling, exploring new places, and making memories. Eventually, that love for adventure helped inspire something bigger: Waves of Sunshine Adventures.
We wanted to build a travel agency that was about more than booking vacations. We wanted to help people experience the world, enjoy the people around them, and create memories that would last a lifetime.
Of course, life doesn't always go according to plan.
In April 2025, Jim suffered a stroke, and suddenly our priorities looked a little different. He had originally planned to take a much more hands-on role in the business, but life had other plans. Thankfully, he's still here, still supporting our adventures, and still very much one of the 3 Amigos.
Crystal has faced her own changes and challenges along the way. Her story is hers to tell, but one thing hasn't changed: the friendship that started all of this.
We've learned that life can throw some pretty big curveballs. Sometimes you have to change your plans, take a different road, or figure things out as you go. But that doesn't mean the adventures have to stop.
And Then There's Chase — Our Honorary Amigo!
Every group needs a little extra personality, and Chase has certainly earned his place as our Honorary Amigo!
Chase is part of the adventures, the laughter, and the memories that make this crazy little crew so special.
He's also given us another reason to celebrate life's milestones. In 2027, Chase will be celebrating not only his high school graduation but also earning his Associate's Degree in Applied Science. That's something worth celebrating!
And if there's one thing the Amigos know how to do, it's find a reason to celebrate.
Why This Story Matters
The 3 Amigos aren't just a nickname. They're a reminder of where we started, the friendships we've built, and the experiences that inspired our business.
I lost my mother when I was just 25 years old, and that taught me something I carry with me every single day: we don't get unlimited tomorrows.
Jim's stroke was another reminder that life can change in the blink of an eye.
That's why I believe so strongly in making memories while we have the chance.
Take the vacation. Celebrate the milestone. Plan that trip with your friends. Spend time with your family. Laugh until your sides hurt, try something new, and don't wait for the perfect time.
And for goodness' sake, put your damn phone down and go make memories, not selfies!
Sure, take some pictures. You'll treasure them someday. But don't get so busy documenting your adventures that you forget to actually enjoy them.
That's the heart behind Waves of Sunshine Adventures.
We're not here just to sell you a cruise or book you a resort. We're here to help you make memories with the people who matter most.
Because at the end of the day, it's not about how many places you've visited.
It's about the stories you bring home, the laughter you shared, and the memories that stay with you long after the vacation ends.
From our Amigos to your next adventure, let's make some memories worth talking about!
Why I Do What I Do
The Heart Behind the Journey
Before we plan your next journey, I'd love to share what inspired mine.
Waves of Sunshine Adventures was born from one simple belief:
Life is precious, and the greatest gift we can give the people we love is our time.
The beach has been the backdrop for so many of life's most meaningful moments for me. It's where I made treasured memories with my mom, where my husband and I built a life filled with simple adventures, and where I still go to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with what matters most.
Along the way, life has taught me that tomorrow isn't promised. Those lessons changed how I see the world—and they're the reason I became a travel advisor.
I don't just want to help you plan a vacation.
I want to help you create moments that become stories you'll tell for years to come.
Because the greatest souvenirs aren't the ones we bring home...
They're the memories we make along the way.
Every Moment Matters
Some of life's greatest memories aren't planned...
They're found in quiet sunsets...
Barefoot walks on the beach...
Morning coffee on a balcony...
Laughter around the dinner table...
The first time your child sees the ocean...
Or simply spending uninterrupted time with the people you love.
Whether you're celebrating something extraordinary or simply celebrating being together...
Every journey is an opportunity to create memories that last a lifetime.
Because every moment matters.
Ready to Create Your Next Memory?
Let's Stay Connected
Join me for travel inspiration, Waves of Reflection, behind-the-scenes moments, and a little sunshine along the way.
The greatest gift we can give the people we love isn't another possession...
It's our time.
Let's make it count.
Whether you’re dreaming of a quiet beach, a family adventure, theme park or the journey of a lifetime . . . . . .
I’d be honored to help you plan it.
Let’s Begin Your Journey.
Because the great souvenirs aren’t the ones we bring home. . . . . .
They’re the memories we make along the way.
Your Journey to New Beginnings starts here!
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When I was a little girl, my mama and I spent countless days at the beach or along the sound.
We'd pack fried chicken and biscuits, spread out a blanket, and spend the day together searching for sand dollars and seashells.
Sand dollars were always her favorite.
She taught me to pay attention to their color and to make sure they were no longer living before bringing them home.
Looking back, I realize she wasn't just teaching me about sand dollars.
She was teaching me to slow down, pay attention, and appreciate and respect the beauty of nature around us.
Even now, whenever I'm walking along a beach, you'll find me looking down and searching for shells.
And when I stumble across something rare or unexpected, I can't help but smile.
For just a moment, it feels like she's walking beside me again.
That's why you'll see sand dollars woven throughout Waves of Sunshine Adventures.
They're more than a beautiful piece of the ocean.
They're a reminder of where my love for the coast began, the memories I shared with my mama, and why I believe the moments we spend with the people we love are life's greatest treasures.
Every detail has a story.
Every story holds a memory.
Every memory inspires a new journey. -
When people see my logo, they often notice the little sea turtle.
What they may not know is that it’s probably the most meaningful part of my brand.
After losing my mom, I felt like a little girl who had suddenly been dropped into a vast ocean without the person who had always guided me.
One day, my grandma looked at me and said,
“You’ve got to pull yourself together and keep moving.”
At the time, those words were hard to hear.
But in my heart, I pictured something different.
I pictured a tiny sea turtle.
Lost in a great big ocean.
Not knowing exactly where it was going...
But instinctively doing the only thing it could do:
Keep moving forward.
And over time, I realized that’s what I was doing, too.
One day at a time.
One wave at a time.
One step at a time.That little turtle became a reminder that even after life’s biggest storms, we can keep moving forward.
Maybe not in the direction we expected.
Maybe not on the timeline we imagined.
But sometimes, toward something we never knew was waiting for us.And that’s why you’ll always find a sea turtle in Waves of Sunshine Adventures.
It isn’t just part of my logo.
It’s a piece of my story.
A reminder of where I’ve been, the people I carry with me, and the courage it takes to begin again.
Because sometimes a new journey doesn’t begin because we were ready.
It begins because we found the courage to keep moving.
Every detail has a story.
Every story holds a memory.
Every memory inspires a new journey.Your Journey to New Beginnings Starts Here
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Most people see sunshine and think of warm days, blue skies, and the beach.
When I see sunshine, I think of joy.
There was a season in my life when I had lost mine.
A dear friend looked at me one day and simply said, "You need to find your joy again."
Those words changed my life. (After she told me this several times)
Choosing to start over wasn't easy, but it led me to a life I never imagined.
It led me to my husband.
The funny thing is, we'd known each other for years. Long before we were ever together, he would stop by my mom's work and talk with her about me.
I like to think she knew something I didn't.
And even though she never got the chance to see us together, I truly believe she had a hand in bringing him into my life.
When I look at the sunshine in my logo, it reminds me that no matter how dark life may seem, there is always light waiting on the other side.
Sometimes, finding your joy means having the courage to begin again.
That's what the sunshine represents to me.
Hope.
Joy.
New beginnings.
And the reminder that even after life's darkest seasons, the sun always rises.
Every detail has a story. Every story holds a memory. Every memory inspires a new journey.
Because the greatest souvenirs aren't the ones we bring home... they're the memories we make along the way.
Your Journey to New Beginnings starts here.
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If you've followed me for a while, you've probably seen pictures of what my husband and I and Crystal affectionately call our "Baby Jeep."
Believe it or not, it's been part of our story long before it became part of Waves of Sunshine Adventures.
Back in 2010, we bought our very first vehicle together—a brand-new Jeep Wrangler Islander Edition.
That Jeep quickly became so much more than transportation.
It became weekend camping trips on Carolina Beach, evenings listening to the waves roll in, and nights spent looking up at a sky full of stars. Those simple moments are some of my favorite memories, and looking back, I realize they helped shape who we are today.
When life brought us to Mississippi to start a new chapter, the Jeep came with us.
Through every season of life, every move, every adventure, and every unexpected twist, we've never let it go.
Recently, we gave our Baby Jeep a new look by wrapping it with the Waves of Sunshine Adventures logo and a beach scene that reminds us where so many of our favorite memories began.
Today, it has become the "face" of our business.
You'll often find us taking it to Jeep events, entering it in competitions, or simply driving around town with a pocket full of our little turtle ducks to hand out. If you've found one, I hope it made you smile as much as it makes us smile to share them.
Our Baby Jeep reminds me that life's greatest adventures don't have to be extravagant.
Sometimes they're as simple as a drive with the windows down, your favorite person beside you, and nowhere to be except together.
Every detail has a story. Every story holds a memory. Every memory inspires a new journey.
Because the greatest souvenirs aren't the ones we bring home... they're the memories we make along the way.
Your Journey to New Beginnings starts here.
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People often ask me why I love the beach so much.
The truth is... it has very little to do with the sand or the ocean itself.
The beach is where I feel most connected—to myself, to my memories, and to the people I love.
It's where I remember my mama as we searched for sand dollars and seashells.
It's where my husband and I built some of our favorite memories camping under the stars, listening to the waves, and dreaming about the future.
It's where I go when life feels overwhelming.
Where I can take a deep breath, quiet my mind, and remember what truly matters.
For me, the beach isn't just a destination.
It's my sanctuary.
It's where I find peace.
It's where I feel closest to the people who have shaped my life, whether they're standing beside me or living on in my heart.
That's why I named my business Waves of Sunshine Adventures.
Not because I only sell beach vacations...
I love planning cruises, all-inclusive resorts, Europe, national parks, rail journeys, and adventures all over the world.
But because the beach reminds me of the reason, I do what I do.
To help people step away from the busyness of life, reconnect with the ones they love, and create memories they'll carry with them forever.
Because life moves quickly...
But memories have a way of standing still.
Now I'd love to hear from you...
Where is your peaceful place?
Is it the beach? The mountains? A quiet lake? Your back porch with a cup of coffee? Somewhere you've traveled... or maybe somewhere you've always called home
Share your happy place in the comments. I'd love to know where you go to recharge your heart.
Every detail has a story. Every story holds a memory. Every memory inspires a new journey.
Because the greatest souvenirs aren't the ones we bring home... they're the memories we make along the way.
Your Journey to New Beginnings starts here
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I've always found peace by the water.
As a little girl, it was where I made memories with my mama. As I got older, it became the place where my husband and I escaped for weekend camping trips, long conversations, and nights under the stars.
The beach has always felt like home.
One of my favorite things to do is simply sit and listen to the waves.
They've taught me something over the years.
No two waves are ever the same.
Some are calm.
Some are powerful.
Some knock you off your feet.
Some gently carry you exactly where you need to be.
Life is a lot like that.
We can't control every wave that comes our way, but we can choose how we move through it.
The waves in my logo remind me that every season of life has purpose.
Some seasons bring joy.
Some bring heartache.
Some bring unexpected new beginnings.
But every wave carries us forward, shaping us into the person we're meant to become.
When I think back on my life, I realize it wasn't the calm waters that changed me the most.
It was learning to trust that after every storm, the water becomes calm again.
That's what the wave represents to me.
Faith.
Resilience.
Growth.
And the reminder that every journey—even the unexpected ones—can lead somewhere beautiful.
Every detail has a story. Every story holds a memory. Every memory inspires a new journey.
Because the greatest souvenirs aren't the ones we bring home... they're the memories we make along the way.
Your Journey to New Beginnings starts here.
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When most people see a palm tree, they think of vacation.
I think of peace.
There's something about seeing a palm tree sway in the breeze that immediately slows my heart and reminds me to breathe.
It reminds me that life doesn't always have to be rushed.
For me, the beach has never just been a destination.
It's where I feel closest to the people and memories that have shaped my life.
It's where my husband and I have laughed around a campfire, listened to the waves, watched the stars, and dreamed about the future.
It's where I feel connected to my mama.
And it's where I remember what truly matters.
The palm tree in my logo reminds me to slow down.
To be present.
To put my phone away.
To watch the sunset.
To laugh a little longer.
To hold hands a little tighter.
To soak in the little moments that become our favorite memories.
Because one day, those ordinary moments become extraordinary memories.
That's why I believe travel is so important.
Not because we need another vacation...
But because we all need time to reconnect—with ourselves and with the people we love.
The palm tree reminds me that sometimes the greatest gift we can give ourselves isn't another thing.
It's time.
Time to rest.
Time to reconnect.
Time to make memories.
Every detail has a story. Every story holds a memory. Every memory inspires a new journey.
Because the greatest souvenirs aren't the ones we bring home... they're the memories we make along the way.
Your Journey to New Beginnings starts here.

