Holly and Derek Gardner

 

Pull Quote:

“We have been blessed to have raised our three children in such a beautiful and family-oriented neighborhood.”

 

Holly Gardner has lived all over the country, but Bay Point is her favorite of all of them. “I have lived in Bay Point longer than I have lived anywhere and couldn’t imagine another place to live.”

She loves the kindness, love, care, and respect that is felt among the community, along with the beautiful, emerald water and gulf breeze.

 

In addition to the beauty of Bay Point, Holly said their connection with the families of the community has been paramount during their time here. “John and Karen Warren have been so generous and embracing of our entire family throughout all these years, and their kindness and generosity is beyond measure,” Holly shared. “Likewise,” she added, “Michael and Suzanne Burke have pulled us under their wing since Charles was in elementary school and best friends with their son, Web.” She commented that they would not feel the same about Bay Point had they not made these strong connections way back when. “Raising our families together and being there for one another during the trying times is what makes our community so very special. We are most thankful and blessed by our family, biological and those we have chosen, as well as our friends, both new and old.”

 

Holly and Derek have made the most of their life in Bay Point: Derek and youngest son, Samuel, are avid fishermen, and will spend many beautiful weekend mornings in the gulf together; they are members of the Krewe of Dominique Youx, as well as the Bay Point Yacht Club; and they attend Northstar church, where they raised their children and served together as a family. When they have an extended period of time away from their busy schedules, they love to vacation at their-home-away-from-home - the Florida Keys and Key West, or the Catskills and Adirondack mountains, where Holly is originally from. Holly’s latest favorite has been co-piloting a seaplane down to the Dry Tortugas for a day of snorkeling, while Derek’s all-time and forever favorite is fishing with his best mate, Sam.

 

Their busy schedules include Derek working as Civil and Structural Engineer and a Vice President at Coastline Engineering & Construction. Holly is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and was also an officer and nurse in the United States Air Force. Together they have three children. At age 16 and the youngest, Samuel, is still at home and attends The Collegiate School at FSU. Their oldest, Savannah, graduated from FSU College of Medicine and is in her 3rd year of residency. Middle child Charles is 22 and just achieved his bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from FSU. “We have been blessed to have raised our children in such a beautiful and family-oriented neighborhood.” The couple also has two Frenchie girls - Mitzi and Moira, affectionately known as Mitzi Mu Mu and Moi Moi. Derek and Holly are both animal lovers; Derek used to train Labrador retrievers for hunt trials.

 

Now that they are almost empty nesters, the Gardners are planning to take a weeklong catamaran sailing certification course in the islands for Holly’s birthday. “Last year, we cruised the Mediterranean and fell in love with Athens, Greece. We would love to sail our own catamaran around the Mediterranean and Europe when we retire,” Holly shared.

 

For now, they are gearing up for their 20-year holiday tradition by making chocolate chip cookies and banana nut bread, delivering them along with the family Christmas card to all their neighborhood friends. “It warms our hearts and has maintained a strong sense of community, love, and appreciation for one another year after year.”

 

 

Bay Point Tradition:
 I’ll never forget when we first learned what it was to be Boo’ed. It is a fun neighborhood tradition the children love to do before Halloween. It is basically a ding-dong-dash, but you open your door to find sweet treats and a ghost attached to your door. To some, if unfamiliar, it may sound like an annoyance perhaps, but to those that have been so blessed to have received it, it’s a little sprinkle of love shown by neighborhood children sounding the alarm that Halloween is near.