Today in the midst of all things stressful, I was reminded of why I love my job.

I moved to Beaufort, South Carolina at a time in my life where I craved a change of pace, a comfort, a place I could call home.

Although I have lived all over the world, I am and will always be a southern girl.

Before moving to Beaufort, I taught school in Atlanta.

 Arguably, Atlanta is the south. I would argue against it in most cases.

Alanta is beautiful, exciting, and the social scene is ideal for most singles. One year of battling traffic and I was in search of a different environment. No offense to any Atlanta lovers, it just wasn't my cup of tea.

So I did what I do when faced with one of life's inevitable crossroads. I simply looked at a map and went for it.

I had never been to Beaufort, knew no one, and had no idea what to expect. I packed a U-Haul and the rest is history.

There are many things, moments, events in life that stick out in our minds. My introduction to this amazing place is at the forefront.

I remember the smell of the oyster reefs, the pluff mud, the spartina grass, and the way the salt lingered in the air as the tide came and went. How had I lived an entire 28 years and never seen such a place. I felt as though I was driving through a painting.

I could write pages upon pages describing the simple, elegant, unmatched beauty of Beaufort.

It still wouldn't do it justice. Beaufort's charm isn't just created from the wind through the live oaks, the moonlight through the palms, the cleansing tides, or the stately homes that line the historic streets.

It is in the freedom such a place allows.

I was so overwhelmed with work, life, yada yada yada, (of course I always yada the best part) and I decided to do what most Beaufortonians do when life gets a bit harry.

I turned off my phone, shut my lap top, grabbed my dog and my fishing pole.

Here it is early winter, and I am running as fast as two legs could go (and not out pace the four that followed me:) to the boat landing and the peace that awaited me.

A friend was waiting for me in a Boston Whaler. He is a golf pro and a passionate fisherman.

We climbed aboard and set off to treat my eyes and my soul to the real beauty of Beaufort. The dolphins gave us a warm welcome as they followed us through Village Creek.

The Egrets lined the pluff mud as we passed. Feeling the sun on my face seemed to make every detail of the day disappear. I never take for granted the beauty of this place. I can, at any time, free myself from whatever is ailing me. I can enjoy all that Mother Nature has give this coastal paradise.

In that boat, with my friend, and my dog, I am truly reminded of how fortunate I am to live here.

Everyone in Beaufort has the opportunity to enjoy that same level of peace, no matter what life throws at them. A fishing hole, a dolphin, an incoming tide is only a short skip, run, walk away.

If you haven't been to beautiful Beaufort by the Sea, you owe it to yourself. And by the way, I am about to cook 12 blue crabs, 4 spotted tail bass, and a pound of shrimp....life is really good my friend.