Some families find MiraBay through careful planning. Gregg and Shawna Calvert found it by accident and have been grateful ever since.

Originally from Eastern Washington, with a seven-year stop in Chicago along the way, the Calverts weren't searching for a new hometown when they stumbled upon MiraBay. While vacationing at Madeira Beach, they decided to take a scenic drive across the Skyway and explore the Ruskin area. A drive down U.S. 41 led them past MiraBay, and curiosity took over.

"We snuck in, fell in love, and became homeowners within 60 days," Shawna laughs.

While the waterfront views, boating access, and beautiful homes immediately caught their attention, it was something less tangible that convinced them to stay.

"The people truly sealed it for us," Shawna says. "Neighbors here look out for one another. That's something you can't manufacture."

Gregg and Shawna's family is anything but small. Between them, they have nine children - four biological and five adopted - all now grown adults.

These days, much of their attention is focused on their granddaughter Sophia, who turns 14 this summer and will begin ninth grade at Ruskin Christian Academy in the fall.

"She keeps us young," Shawna says.

Sophia spends her days biking through the neighborhood, participating in youth group activities, and finding creative ways to earn money toward a goal that's already on her horizon: buying her first car at age 16. Whether she's watering plants, walking dogs, or taking on odd jobs, her determination has impressed even her grandparents.

"Her focus and discipline honestly put most adults to shame," Shawna says.

Of course, no introduction to the Calvert family would be complete without Winchester, their cocker spaniel. Around the house, he's known for having strong opinions - especially when it comes to boating.

"If the boat comes out, Winchester assumes he's invited," Gregg jokes. "And somehow, he always wins that argument."

Before entering real estate, both Gregg and Shawna spent three decades building careers in healthcare leadership.

Shawna operated large institutional pharmacies serving senior living communities, while Gregg worked as a healthcare executive and chief operating officer, overseeing hospital systems with thousands of employees.

Today, they bring that same commitment to service into their real estate careers. Gregg recently became broker-owner of Apollo Beach-based 27North Realty, while Shawna leads The Calvert Home Team.

For the Calverts, however, real estate is about much more than transactions.

"We're often helping people through major life transitions," Shawna explains. "New beginnings, relocations, difficult circumstances, celebrations - we never take that trust for granted."

If there's one phrase that perfectly captures the Calverts' approach to life, it's "No Empty Chair."

Several years ago, they decided to host Thanksgiving for neighbors who were spending the holiday away from family. What started as a simple invitation turned into a gathering of 25 people around their table.

For Shawna, the idea was simple: nobody should spend the holidays alone.

That philosophy has since extended far beyond Thanksgiving. Christmas, Easter, Fourth of July, or any ordinary weekend gathering… if someone needs a place to belong, chances are the Calverts are making room.

Gregg typically supports these efforts from the kitchen, somehow feeding a crowd without ever making it look difficult.

Together, they've created the kind of home people naturally gravitate toward.

Ask the Calverts what they love most about MiraBay, and you'll hear plenty about boating, golf carts, trails, sunsets, and waterfront living.

But you'll also hear something deeper.

"Neighbors become friends, and friends become family," Shawna says.

In a world where genuine connection can sometimes feel rare, the Calverts have found something special here and through their open-door philosophy, they've helped countless others find it too.

After all, in the Calvert household, there's always room for one more chair.