How did you meet?
Shayne: Jason and I both attended the University of Southern California. We met through our mutual friend Mike, a USC connection. I was always very captivated by Jason, his wit and charm. 

Jason: Shayne’s first job in college was working in the executive offices of Mike’s restaurant chain. I was an investor in one of Mike’s first restaurants and was around frequently. We would all go out to dinners together—there was a lot of food bonding—and I always had a crush on her. We were friends for over a decade. When you know someone for that long, you get to see their consistency. 

Shayne: We were friends for many years before we started dating. There was always a chemistry between us, but the timing was never right…until it was!

Jason: When we started dating, our relationship built quickly but felt so natural. And Mike remains one of our dearest friends and was a groomsman in our wedding!

What are your professions? 

Shayne: I worked at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), and now I’m a fine jewelry concierge. I connect clients with designers for one-of-a-kind pieces, and I specialize in jewelry customizations and redesigns. 

Jason: Well, I have two careers. I run a travel and production services company based in Mexico that brings international film, TV, and other projects to Mexico, which I’ve been doing for thirty years. I’m also the business analyst for a popular television show about entrepreneurship, which has always been a huge passion and area of study for me.

How did you discover Palmetto Bluff?

Jason: We have a friend group that used to do an annual trip to Montage, Laguna Beach. One year the in-room TVs were playing the video of Jay Walea talking about Palmetto Bluff. I found myself standing in front of the TV wondering, What is this place? It looks incredible! 

Shayne: Jason raved about his trips to Palmetto Bluff and suggested we vacation here over the Fourth of July weekend. It was one of those pivotal trips in building our relationship. And along the way we also fell in love with Palmetto Bluff!

Tell me about your first impressions. 

Shayne: I know everyone talks about the long and scenic drive in. Your shoulders instantly relax, and you feel as though you are stepping back into time. 

Jason: For me, it felt a bit like coming home. I grew up in the Midwest and love the lush greenery. But really what stood out the most was that everyone we saw looked so profoundly happy. It was remarkable.

Shayne: We felt like kids were allowed to be kids, and it made us excited about starting a family one day. And now, we are expecting a little girl this December!  

Jason: On that first trip, we were out riding bikes with our YETIs full of our favorite tequila. Everything was just so beautiful and welcoming. On a whim we decided to pop into the real estate office. We met Martin Roache, and he took us to see a few homes. 

Shayne: We were standing in a house, and I looked at Jason and declared, I could live here!

When did you make the move?

Jason: A few years later, we were living in Dallas and talking about starting a family. We were out on a walk in our neighborhood, and I asked Shayne, If we could live anywhere in the world, where would we want to live? We turned to each other and answered at the same time—Palmetto Bluff. We called our realtor that night.

Shayne: Leaving the city behind seemed like the right move to start a family. We were legally married on the same day we sold our house in Dallas. A year later, we hosted our wedding celebration at Palmetto Bluff with family and friends.

Where did you end up building?

Shayne: We chose the River Road neighborhood. We wanted a community that was both social and family-oriented, with close proximity to Wilson and Moreland Villages. 

Tell me what your life looks like here. 

Shayne: In such a short time, we’ve met amazing friends who share our interests and values. Living here feels like a fairy tale. You walk out of your front door every day and you are surrounded by beauty and wildlife. It encourages us to be active and enjoy the outdoors.

Jason: We like to let the day organically unfold—we’re big planners, so that is hard for us. But we end up socializing around a fire pit, or at Cole’s, or wind up at someone’s house for drinks. We feel so at home here.