IslandVibesIOP.com 21 The Hakansons’ oldest daughter, McKenna, decided to move to Charleston shortly after returning home from Africa, where she worked as a teacher in a South African orphanage. McKenna fell in love soon after arriving with not only Charleston but also her future husband. After settling into the life and culture of the Lowcountry, McKenna quickly became a cherished part of our community, earning the distinction of 2024 Charleston County School District Teacher of the Year. Caroline beamed with pride while discussing her daughter. “David and I will be back on the island at the end of April to celebrate McKenna’s birthday. We love being so close to downtown Charleston, the Battery, the local shops and all the fabulous restaurants. I love being downtown just as much as I love the island. We are looking forward to being back soon – I feel like when I am there, I am home.” Welcome back, Hakanson family! Falling in love with the Hakanson family is just about as easy as falling in love with the Isle of Palms and the entire surrounding Lowcountry where the Hakansons have vacationed for over 20 years. Caroline and David Hakanson met while attending Western Kentucky University in the early 1990s and their love story spans not only several decades, but also several states and many beloved cities they traversed along the way. Caroline explained, “When we moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, everyone talked about how wonderful Charleston is, so we decided to take our children for spring break. We fell in love with the Isle of Palms and ever since that very first trip, we have come back as often as we possibly can. We absolutely loved our first trip to the island and have been making memories there ever since.” David continued, “We love the walkability of the island. The Isle of Palms has a small-town coastal vibe with a wonderful sense of exclusivity. It is a great place to unplug and unwind. Of course, the proximity to Charleston is a plus with its amazing vacations, but also any time she has the opportunity to travel, whether it be for a girls’ getaway with lifelong childhood friends or a special trip with her mother and daughter. Any excuse to visit the beach is a welcome one. She elaborated, “My mother has loved exploring Charleston for years and introducing one of her favorite places to my own children has been such a joy. One of my dearest friends, whom I’ve known since kindergarten lives on the island, making it an even more perfect place for my cherished girlfriends to gather and connect. We like to stay on the beach, as close to the oceanfront as possible, often staying in the same vacation rentals from Carroll Realty over and over again.” food history and tremendous shopping and cultural vibe. Everyone is welcoming and the entire town is very hospitable.” Caroline has made the island her preferred destination for not only family Caroline and David Hakanson TRAVEL Homeward bound with the Hakansons Memories make for the best souvenirs By Laura Fogarty VacationVibesonIOP.com Drew, Trey, McKenna Clemens and Grant Hakanson Don and Sabrina Seeley with their dogs Maddie and Piper McKenna, Caroline and Eileen Hakanson Meet Your Island Neighbors! By Laura Fogarty The Seeley snowbirds have nested Don and Sabrina Seeley came to the island to escape the cold of New Hampshire during the COVID-19 pandemic, choosing to spend some time in the investment property they had purchased one year prior. They had not anticipated turning that temporary respite into a permanent move, but six years later, it would appear that is exactly what has happened. Sabrina recalled, “We wanted to get out of New Hampshire for the winter, with the intention of becoming snowbirds here on the Isle of Palms. We fell in love with the island and fell in love with the lifestyle here. We sold everything in New Hampshire and moved full-time to Wild Dunes and we haven’t looked back.” Sabrina spoke with a loving fondness for her family’s new community on IOP and their passion for all things island. “We love walking on the beach with our dogs (Maddie and Piper), reading while relaxing in the sun and we love trying out the local food at all of the amazing restaurants the island has to offer,” she shared. Sabrina added that she and husband Don like to frequent the Boardwalk Inn restaurant and bar in Wild Dunes because of its atmosphere and convenience. Don, CLFP, is the vice president of business development at Beacon Funding. Sabrina is a realtor at Carolina One on the Isle of Palms with her primary focus in island real estate. She also has her own photography business. Sabrina’s passion and talent for photography shined through as she described Sabrina Seeley Photography. “I specialize in warm, natural photography that feels relaxed, effortless and genuinely you. Whether I’m capturing joyful family moments, quiet connection between couples or confident personal branding images, my goal is always the same: to create photos that feel real, meaningful and timeless.” Sabrina continued, “Living and working along the South Carolina coast deeply influences my style. I’m drawn to soft light, open spaces and natural movement, whether that’s under the live oaks, along the shoreline at golden hour or in a setting that feels most like home to you. My approach is calm, guided and intentional. I’ll help you every step of the way, from what to wear, to where to stand, to how to move naturally. Nothing ever feels stiff or awkward. I pay close attention to the little details, allowing you to simply show up, feel comfortable and enjoy the experience. Clients often tell me they felt relaxed, confident and truly themselves during their session, and that’s always my goal. I believe great photos aren’t about perfection; they’re about connection, emotion and the moments that unfold naturally.” Don and Sabrina, and of course, Maddie and Piper, here’s to the hope that your island life unfolds with endless natural and positive moments. Welcome home!
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