Coming Home to Columbus: Thea’s Full-Circle Move Through MakeMyMove

After nearly two decades in Virginia Beach, Thea and her boyfriend, Daniel, made the decision to move back to Columbus, Georgia, through the MakeMyMove program.

Her story, though, begins long before she hit the “apply now’ button. Thea grew up in Columbus, graduating from Hardaway High School before attending Columbus State University, where she began building the foundation for her career. Years later, she would complete her degree at Regent University in Virginia Beach while working full-time, carving out a professional path that would take her up and down the East Coast.

Now, Thea and Daniel live just a few miles from where her journey began. “It’s surreal,” she said. “I drive past places I hung out at as a teenager, but now it’s where we’re constructing our adult life. It’s comforting and exciting at the same time.”

That blend of familiarity and renewal of past and present defines Thea’s journey. What began as a quiet longing to return home became a full-circle story of connection and rediscovery in the community that always felt like home.

A Little Polish, a Big Discovery

Thea’s journey back to Columbus started in an unexpected way - during an ordinary evening at a local nail salon.

“I typically never watch the news,” she said with a laugh. “Unless it’s a positive story.”

That night, as she was getting a manicure, a segment aired about a program that helps remote workers relocate to cities eager to attract new talent and boost local economies.

“They were talking about remote workers helping communities grow and I was intrigued,” Thea recalled. “I went home that night, Googled the program and when I saw Columbus listed, I was so surprised and excited. Moving back home had already been on my mind.”

As National Market Impact Manager at Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group, Thea oversees operations across 17 states and travels frequently but her role allows her to live anywhere. “It just made sense,” she said. “Once I saw that Columbus was part of the program, all the stars started to align.”

The Path Back to Georgia

Before that fateful news segment, Thea had spent nearly 20 years away from home. Her career first took her from Columbus to Savannah and then to Virginia Beach, where she built her professional life and earned her degree.

“I blinked and 19 and a half years had passed,” she said.

When she applied to Columbus’s relocation program on the MakeMyMove platform, she wasn’t sure what to expect. “At first, I didn’t think I’d hear back,” she admitted. “I thought it might be one of those things that’s too good to be true.”

A few months later, she received an email from Kylie Grilla, project manager for Columbus 2025, letting her know her application had advanced to the next phase.

“That’s when I knew everything was falling into place exactly how it was supposed to.”

A Home with Heart

For years, Thea had been casually browsing real estate listings in both Virginia Beach and Georgia, waiting for the right home and the right moment to appear. That moment came unexpectedly last fall, following a profound loss.

Her beloved dog, who had been by her side for nearly 19 years, passed away. “She meant everything to us,” Thea said quietly. “We built our lives around her. After she was gone, I just couldn’t be in Virginia anymore. I needed to get away for a while so I could be near my mom and sister to grieve, to heal and to start over.”

Soon after, Thea and Daniel packed up and drove to Georgia, seeking the familiarity of home. In the evenings, she found herself scrolling through local home listings, at first just to distract herself, but one property stopped her in her tracks.

“I saw this brick ranch in an older, established neighborhood in the same area where I went to high school,” she recalled. “I told Daniel, ‘Let’s just go look.’”

The house needed a few updates but it had character. “It just felt good,” she said. “It felt like love still lived there.”

Today, their home has become a reflection of renewal and gratitude. “It’s been so healing,” Thea said. “We walk the same streets I grew up on, but now we’re building something new together.”

Finding Connection Through the Mover Community

For Thea, one of the most rewarding aspects of MakeMyMove has been the network of fellow movers she’s met since arriving back in Georgia.

“I’ve gone to almost every event including coffee meetups, our meeting with the mayor and even a rafting trip,” she said. “The rafting adventure was hilarious because the guide actually tricked us into tipping the boat! He told us, ‘When I say go left, go left!’ Well, that was his way of making sure we’d all fall out. Suddenly, everyone’s in the water, my boyfriend’s under the boat, Kylie’s floating away - it was chaos but in the best way. We were all laughing about it later.”

Thea credits these events with helping her form genuine friendships and professional connections. “It’s been such a great mix, networking with business leaders while also getting to bond personally,” she said. “It’s made a huge difference in feeling at home again.”

For Daniel, the move has been equally transformative. A mortgage banker also with Atlantic Bay, he’s using the relocation as a chance to expand his reach in Georgia and the surrounding states.

“This was the first time he’d ever moved away,” Thea said. “He was born in Florida and spent his whole life in Virginia Beach, so it was a big change. But he’s been amazing and he’s meeting new people every week.”

Thea said having him by her side has made the move even more meaningful. “He was so happy when I got selected for the program. Now we both get to build our network together and he comes to all the mover events.”

Rediscovering a Familiar City

Returning home after 20 years brought both nostalgia and a new perspective.

“I’d been back visiting family over the years, so I saw Columbus growing - the Riverwalk expanding, new restaurants opening, local businesses thriving,” Thea said. “But coming back as a professional felt completely different. I was ready to contribute to the city’s growth in a meaningful way.”

Since her return, she’s been busy reconnecting with her community by joining the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, donating time to the Boys & Girls Club and meeting with local leaders.

“I had a great meeting with the mayor recently,” she shared. “It’s exciting to see the momentum here. I want to help others achieve homeownership and give back to the community that raised me.”

Through her work at Atlantic Bay, Thea has also found ways to merge her passion for service and career.

“We love to be involved locally,” she said. “Being part of MakeMyMove helped me connect with the Chamber immediately. It gave me a head start on getting involved.”

Building a Life and a Legacy

While much of Thea’s focus is on her career and community involvement, she’s also prioritizing personal balance. “Moving takes a lot,” she admitted. “You blink and months go by. You’re unpacking, working full-time, getting reconnected - it’s a lot to juggle. But we’re finding our rhythm.”

Her goals for the next few years are rooted in both professional and personal growth. “We want to keep growing our business and continue connecting with new people,” she said. “And we’re making up for lost time with family. For years, we couldn’t always come home for holidays. Now we can have Thanksgiving with my mom and sister or take a spontaneous trip to Florida.”

Advice for Future Movers

When asked what she’d say to someone considering relocating to Columbus through MakeMyMove, Thea didn’t hesitate.

“Talk to people who’ve gone through it,” she said. “Reach out to Kylie, reach out to me because Google can’t tell you everything. Sometimes you need to hear from someone who’s walked that path.”

She encourages future movers to visit in person and experience the community. “Walk downtown, explore the Riverwalk, talk to locals. That’s when you’ll know if it’s right for you,” she said.

Thea’s own company even extends incentives to fellow movers through MakeMyMove. “We offer closing incentives for anyone buying a home through the program,” she explained. “I love being able to help others make their move, too.”

Right Back Where She Belongs

When reflecting over the past year, Thea smiles at the symmetry of her journey. “It’s funny how life works,” she said. “I started here, built my career elsewhere and now I’m back - utilizing everything I’ve learned along the way to help make a difference in my hometown.”

Her advice to others is simple but powerful:

“Life’s too short not to pursue what makes you happy. Moving can be scary and bittersweet; you’re leaving one chapter to start another. But if something keeps tugging at your heart, do it. Don’t wait. Most of the time, it works out exactly the way it’s supposed to. Columbus isn’t just where I grew up. It’s where my next chapter begins.”