For Dr. Eva Dittrich, home is less about staying in one place and more about creating a life filled with curiosity, connection and adventure. Since moving to Westbrook in August 2021, Eva, her four-year-old son, Wyatt, and Sugar, the seven-year-old rescue pup have found a community they now consider family along with plenty of opportunities to explore the world without ever losing sight of the joys of home.

Originally from Kansas City, Eva left home at 17 to pursue her education in Germany and London. Her life since then has taken her from New York City and Los Angeles to San Diego and even a six-month stint in Kingston, Jamaica. Those experiences helped shape the world traveler she is today and the way she is raising Wyatt.

“I am an experienced traveler and spend a lot of time planning our next trip,” Eva says.

The trio recently returned from a month in Italy, where Wyatt attended school for four weeks. It was his fifth visit to the country, a testament to Eva's belief that travel can be one of the best forms of education.

Every June, the mother-son-fur baby trio chooses a new country to explore. In the months leading up to their trip, Eva and Wyatt study the destination's culture, language and food. And rather than rushing through a checklist of tourist attractions, Eva prefers to stay for an entire month, eager for every adventure.

“I like to stay for a full month so we get to know what it's like to live there, beyond when the tourist awe wears off,” she explains. “I think this is very important for my son's development into a global citizen.”

Next year's possibilities include Japan, England, Sweden and Costa Rica—but Eva hasn't made the final decision yet.

At just four years old, Wyatt already has an impressively full passport and an equally impressive list of interests.

He's been flying since he was six months old and loves airplanes, but his curiosity extends well beyond travel. Wyatt has participated in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and karate since he was very young, takes swimming and piano/music lessons, and is learning both Italian and Spanish. He's attended Kindermusik since he was six months old, takes dance classes and recently performed in his first tap and ballet recital.

Art is another favorite. The family visits the Jepson Center monthly, and Wyatt loves creating his own artwork. Eva says he has developed a particular talent for composition and color.

Then there are the things that make him quintessentially four: monster trucks, cars, rainbow colors, playgrounds, trampolines and rock climbing.

And, of course, there's the hair.

Wyatt is something of a neighborhood celebrity for his naturally highlighted, curly, layered blonde hair, which is frequently pulled into a signature man-bun.

“He is a multifaceted little guy,” Eva says, and it certainly sounds like it.

No introduction to the Dittrich family would be complete without Sugar, Eva's beloved “fur baby.”

Eva adopted Sugar as an eight-week-old puppy in California, and the two have been inseparable ever since.

“She has been my biggest champion and supporter,” Eva says. “I consider her to be my daughter and Wyatt's big sister.”

Sugar enjoys long walks, treats, squeaky toys and massages. Her one major complaint about life in the Lowcountry? Thunderstorms.

“She hates thunderstorms...wrong place to live!” Eva jokes.

The family is also known for dressing up for holidays and special occasions, with Eva admitting that people regularly tell her that Wyatt and Sugar are the best-dressed duo at neighborhood events.

Eva's professional life is just as multifaceted as her personal one. She is a clinical psychologist in private practice, where she provides trauma-informed psychotherapy for individuals, couples and families. Her areas of specialty include trauma, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, and personality disorders.

A certified yoga teacher, Eva incorporates mindfulness into her therapeutic work and has created group yoga workshops addressing various mental health concerns. She is also a Certified Professional Coach and spent years working as a life coach before returning to graduate school to pursue clinical psychology. Today, she continues to work with several coaching clients on life-improvement goals and projects.

Looking ahead, Eva hopes to expand her psychology practice by bringing other therapists into the practice. She also wants to work with businesses and institutions, helping them fulfill their missions in ways that are both effective and healthy.

For someone whose life has included so many different cities and countries, Eva says one of the things she treasures most about Westbrook is the sense of community.

“We have made wonderful friends in the neighborhood that we consider family,” she says.

Eva and Wyatt regularly attend club and local events, and when summer arrives, their weekends tend to revolve around enjoying the outdoors. A perfect summer day might mean spending the entire day at the pool, taking the golf cart out for a ride or heading to the beach.

When she's able to carve out a little time for herself, Eva enjoys yoga, barre and strength training. She also plays the cello and has explored guitar and singing, and she loves photography and creating art.

These days, finding time for those creative pursuits can be a challenge while raising a young child and running a business, but Eva embraces the beautifully busy season of life she's in.

At the heart of it all is a simple philosophy: keep learning, keep exploring and make room for a little fun.

Whether they're studying Italian before a trip, discovering a new museum exhibit, racing around the neighborhood in a golf cart or spending a summer day at the beach, this fun family seems to have turned everyday life into its own kind of adventure.

And with another country already on the horizon, their next chapter is sure to be just as colorful.

Stroll Westbrook is all about celebrating the people, places and local businesses that make Westbrook at Savannah Quarters and Pooler, Georgia, such a wonderful place to call home. Through neighborhood stories, community connections and opportunities to discover local businesses, Stroll Westbrook helps neighbors get to know one another and connect with the businesses that serve their community. From the homes and welcoming streets of Savannah Quarters to the locally owned shops, restaurants and services that give Pooler its character, we believe that a strong community begins with people coming together. Our goal is to help neighbors build meaningful connections, support local businesses and celebrate the unique spirit of Westbrook, Savannah Quarters and the greater Pooler community.