There was a season of my life when every part of my identity revolved around motherhood. The days were measured in nap schedules, maternity clothes, school pickups, and bedtime routines. Somewhere along the way, I stopped asking who I was outside of being “Mom.”

In 2015, I had a newborn baby boy, two daughters who were five and eight, and two stepchildren who were nine and twelve. Boy was life busy! Then, in 2020, our rainbow baby came along. It was during that season that I started this blog, His Hers + Ours. Motherhood was what I breathed and lived every single day. Through the ups and downs, tears and band-aids, ball games and nighttime feedings, I loved writing about it.

So as I navigated through the early years of our children’s lives, in between careers, I started writing and as a photographer, taking pictures of everything! I loved capturing little moments, traveling, spending my days coming up with new recipes, redecorating our home again and again, and writing about difficult topics like miscarriage and pregnancy after loss. His Hers + Ours was a safe place not only for myself, but for a community of women who were experiencing the same things. For me, the blog helped me get through many tough days after loss and gave me an outlet where I found peace and hope.

And then, almost without warning, the years passed. Our children are practically all grown up. I’m done having babies and only our three youngest are left living at home! Beau is six. Brady is twelve. Heidi is sixteen and heading into her junior year of high school. Maddy is nineteen and attending East Carolina University. Cole is twenty and Kamryn is twenty-three, renting a house together and navigating the workforce. Isn’t it funny how life changes?! I’m still in the weeds of motherhood but it looks a lot different these days.

These days, my husband and I are learning to embrace a slower pace together. As our children have grown more independent, we’ve found ourselves rediscovering something we didn’t even realize we’d missed—simply spending time together. It almost feels like we’re dating again, stealing quiet evenings on the flybridge, and staying up too late watching our favorite Netflix series.

The “Wifey” in Coastal Wifey isn’t about perfection or fitting into a certain role. It’s about embracing this season of marriage with intention—making time for each other again. I’ll always be “Mom.” That will forever be the greatest part of who I am. But this season has reminded me that it’s okay to nurture my marriage, too. And honestly, I’m really enjoying being a wife again.

You’ll usually find us spending summer weekends aboard our new-to-us Ocean Yacht. Mornings begin with sunrise and coffee at the marina, while evenings end with salty hair, dock sunsets, a little too much sun, and dinners that somehow taste better outside. While our home is being renovated after unexpected water damage, this season has reminded us that home isn’t always a place. Sometimes it’s simply wherever we’re together—whether that’s on the river or back on land.

Somewhere between raising children and building businesses, I rediscovered the parts of myself that had quietly waited their turn—the creative side that loves beautiful homes, thoughtful details, timeless fashion, and telling stories.

As I built my boutique brand, I fell in love with a style that feels both sophisticated and effortless—rooted in Southern charm with a touch of coastal living. That inspiration has slowly found its way into our home, our boat, and the way we choose to celebrate everyday life. (You can find us inside the Peanut Queen in Wakefield, VA!)

But through all of that, I realized something was missing: a place to write.

So, in this beautifully chaotic yet unexpectedly peaceful season of life, I am coming home to writing.

Here in Coastal Wifey, I’ll be sharing stories from life by the river, our home renovation journey, boating adventures on the water, timeless decorating ideas, favorite finds, dock dinners, seasonal inspiration, and all of the little details that make a house—and a life—feel well loved.

You’ll also find curated pieces from both of our businesses woven throughout these pages, making it easy to shop the styles and products I’m genuinely loving and using. And if you’d like to follow along, be sure to join The Coastal Club (coming soon), where you’ll receive new journal entries, seasonal inspiration, and exclusive favorites delivered straight to your inbox.

Coastal Wifey isn’t just about living near the coast. It’s about creating a life that feels intentional—whether that’s setting a beautiful snack spread on the boat, creating a home that reflects your family, discovering timeless style, or finding joy in the simple rhythms of everyday life.

Think of this as an invitation to slow down with me. We’ll gather inspiration from the changing seasons, decorate charming homes that tell our stories, feel confident in our outfits, spend afternoons on the water, and embrace a lifestyle that values beauty in the everyday. I’m so glad you’re here!

Until the tide comes in,

Mary Faison, Editor