Meet the Contributor :: Tovah Locke

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Well, introductions can be a bit unFamily Beach Photo comfortable and awkward, so let’s just go right ahead and get that weird “’do we shake hands’ or ‘do we hug hello?’” moment out of the way.

By the way, I am a hug hello kind of girl.

I was born and raised in West Texas, daughter to a nurse and a cotton farmer. Growing up it was easy to love everything about Texas, and I imagined life would never exist outside of that red clay dirt. I grew up shy and quiet, somewhat nerdy- okay, a lot nerdy. My fondest childhood memories include reading every ‘Babysitters Club’ book ever written, Texas rodeos, and horse-back riding with a cherished childhood friend.

I graduated high school in 1999 and headed straight to business school at Texas Tech University. When my hopes and dreams grew too big for the Lone Star State I made the decision to leave school, mid-senior year, in 2004. As scary and as ridiculous as it sounds, I packed up my little car and headed east, leaving the West Texas plains in my rear view mirror and my sight was set on Tennessee.

I made it to Knoxville, and while there pursued my career in business marketing and fell in love with everything Tennessee had to offer- including my now husband, Josh. After meeting him at a mutual friend’s birthday dinner, I remember calling one of my best friends that very night and telling her that I just met my husband. A short week later I asked him out to dinner, and the rest is our love story!

Contributor introductions Tovah and husband

Together, Josh and I dove into our careers, and corporate life eventually took us from Tennessee to Raleigh, NC, and then to Charleston, SC. Somewhere between work and adventure we paused long enough to return to Chattanooga and exchange wedding vows on top of Lookout Mountain. Life was great. We lived in some beautiful cities and met wonderful friends, but it was also fast-paced and high stress. For a year after we welcomed our son into the world, we tossed around the idea of moving to the Emerald Coast. The summer our baby turned one we took a leap of faith, packed a moving van, and officially became Walton County locals.Mom and son Smiling for the camera

 

At the time, my career was on hold to raise our son, and I lived life soaking up the tiny memories. I knew at some point I would return to work and apply my abilities and talents, so I took advantage of my flexibility and completed my Bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing and Communications. I then went on to earn my M.B.A. in Business Communications from Liberty University this year. That was a big goal for me, and I am excited to see where that new path takes me in the future. I am confident when the time is right the perfect door will open for me to jump back into a career, while balancing all things motherhood.

Most days you can find me drinking coffee, chasing lizards, building Legos, and lining up Matchbox cars with my little guy.

My favorite thing to do is spend time with my son and husband, trekking, from the beach to the boat, the t-ball fields and anywhere in between. As long as we are together and have plenty of snacks, I am a happy girl.

Walton County Locals now, Tovah and family pose in front of Pickett fence

 

I love being a wife, mom, daughter, and friend, and I am learning to love myself for who I am, imperfections and all. And I am continuously learning the value of community, grownup friendships, and cultivating personal dreams. I am excited to be a part of this new community of women.

Here’s to living life with a smile!

Tovah Locke 

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tovahlocke
Tovah is a Texas native, born and raised a small town girl. She attended business school at Texas Tech University and left the west Texas plains in her rearview mirror and headed for Tennessee in 2004 to pursue a career and fall in love with everything Tennessee had to offer. Tovah would meet and marry her husband, Josh, in Chattanooga, TN. Over the next several years the two would follow their careers to North Carolina and South Carolina. However, a life of adventure never keeps you in one place too long, after the couple welcomed their son in 2012, they would agree on a move to Santa Rosa Beach, for a slower paced life and an Emerald Coast address. These days the Locke's can be found fishing the intercoastal waters, relaxing on the beach, and falling in love with all things SoWal.

1 COMMENT

  1. Wow Tovah! How did I miss that you lived in Chattanooga & Knoxville?!? We were practically neighbors! This is wonderful and I am so excited that we have met and are getting to know one another!

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