08/17/2026
Vulnerable post incoming. ❤️
I just want to share a little personal history about how Cole’s came about.
I’m a nurse, and most of my nursing career was spent in the ER. A few years ago, I developed a progressive autoimmune disease that made it very difficult to continue working in patient care. I eventually had to leave the ER, but I was blessed with a work-from-home case management position where I spent the last few years.
Then, this time last year, I was affected by a mass layoff.
That was the moment I decided I wanted to pursue a business of my own. At the time, I thought my path was leading me toward opening an adult day support program. I searched and searched for a space that would meet the requirements, but I could never find the right fit and I knew that whatever I did, I wanted it to be right here in our own community.
Little did I know, God was still calling me to serve… just not in the way I originally thought, and not as a nurse.
One afternoon, on the way home from our daughter’s softball game, we were passing our building when a lightbulb went off.
I said, “Wouldn’t it be nice to have a little place like King’s in that building right there?”
King’s is a local spot in Petersburg, VA, that will always have, in my opinion, the BEST BBQ. 😉❤️
Shaun normally just ignores my ideas 😂, but this time he said, “Yes.”
Soon after, we met with the owners and pitched them our idea. They probably thought we were a little bananas at the time, but they believed in us and did everything they could to help us make it happen. We will always be grateful for them.
And… here we are, just a few months later. ❤️
While I’m no longer working as a nurse, I realize now that I was definitely still called to serve — just in a different way.
I’m so thankful that I can still use the skills nursing taught me to serve our community. Nursing taught me so much about caring for people, listening, working hard, staying calm when things get crazy, and most importantly, serving others.
You all have been SO kind and patient with us during this first month.
I love seeing all of the new and familiar faces in the dining room every day. God has truly blessed us with the BEST community, and I thank Him for each and every one of you.
I’ve especially loved getting to know some of our “regulars.” ❤️ Some of you come in almost every day for your chicken salad, hot dog or your milkshake, and I genuinely love seeing your faces and getting to know you.
What started as a crazy little idea on the way home from softball has turned into something we never could have imagined.
We thank you all so much for your support, your encouragement, and for allowing us to serve you. We hope to continue serving our community to the very best of our ability.
He turns graves into gardens. 🌺
