Lately, I’ve been wondering what really makes life feel meaningful. It’s not just the obvious things. Sure, a beautiful table setting or a well-made cocktail can help, but the real value comes from something you can’t buy, arrange, or share online: relationships.

Maybe it’s the excitement for Easter or Keeneland gatherings, but early spring in Lexington always brings a special sense of anticipation. There’s usually a March morning when you step outside and feel the new season coming. It’s not warm yet, but it’s close. The air smells a little sweeter. The Bluegrass is waking up, and if you’ve lived here a while, you can sense it before you see it. The dogwoods will bloom soon.

I love these in-between weeks. The garden beds are still too cold to plant, but I have a stack of dog-eared magazines full of inspiring pages. Our trellises are empty, but we’re imagining climbing roses. This is the season for making plans, writing lists, and dreaming. Honestly, these are some of my favorite days, because March and April in Kentucky are about looking ahead—choosing what matters most when it’s time to get to work, whether it’s a new garden, a long-awaited dinner party, or a friendship that needs tending.

When I started this role with Sophisticated Living, people asked what brought me to publishing. The truth is, it wasn’t publishing itself. It was about making connections. A city isn’t solely defined by its buildings or landscape, but by the people who support each other year after year. Lexington does this well. We come together, celebrate one another, and, with the help of our talented friends, we do it with style. At its core, that’s what this magazine is. It’s not just a showcase; it’s a place to gather.