Sweetheart of the Month: Sally Evans

Sweetheart of the Month

-Sally Evans-

1) Please introduce yourself! We’d love to get to know you.

Hey there! I’m Sally and I’m from Cincinnati – just an hour and a half north from where I currently live in Lexington, Kentucky. My boyfriend (John) and I live downtown in a historic building that we absolutely love. Because I’m a Cincy gal, my two main food groups are Skyline Chili and Graeter’s black raspberry chip ice cream (who’s with me?!). I graduated last May from the University of Kentucky with a degree in integrated strategic communication and a minor in geography. Go Cats! My dog, Sam (who’s still in Cincinnati) is the light of my life 🙂 Golden doodles are the way to my heart.

2) We notice you are also a creative. What is one of your favorite creative projects and why?

Photography. I wouldn’t call myself a photographer, but I love taking photos for fun. During undergrad I started “Humans of UK” – a very mini version of Humans of New York (I fangirl so hard over Brandon Stanton and Humans of New York). I only had class two days a week, so the other three days I’d walk around campus by myself with just a camera and my phone to record interviews. The project grew with time, and it’s still one of my most favorite creative projects to this day!

3) What is your favorite piece of literature and why?

East of Eden by John Steinbeck. I’d be doing a disservice to you if I said it was an easy read. It took about 3 months for me to finish, and still, I’m sure I didn’t fully comprehend every piece of Steinbeck’s work. The character development is truly like nothing I’ve ever read, and the symbolism of the Hebrew word “Timshel” has stuck with me for years. But I can’t tell you what it means! You just have to read it for yourself 🙂

4) The Sweetheart persona is all about kindness. Who has had the biggest influence in your life when it comes to being taught how to be “kind?”

I didn’t have to think about this one at all. My sister, Abby, has a soul devoted to others and the Lord. She is a woman of God, but I think the reason she popped into my mind is because of the way she teaches kindness through example. Her words and actions only help and build – they never hurt or break. I think a large part of kindness is also honesty, and my sister has shown me how to be honest with others (and also herself) while still being kind. I wish you all could know our relationship more (I’m giggling as I write this…we are very different people!), but I have never been more proud of anything in my life than I am to be her sister.

5) The Sweetheart persona is all about being in good company. What is your favorite memory with your friends?

When I was 16, I had the chance to go to Gulu, Uganda through an organization I worked for called Unified for Uganda. I was visiting UNIFAT Primary School with a few people near and dear to my heart who also worked for the same organization. We had the opportunity to play in the school’s annual football (soccer) game between the school’s staff and students. Football is Uganda’s national sport, and until then, no girl had ever participated in the school’s game. There were hundreds of students surrounding the field watching us play, and I don’t think I’ve ever had as much fun in my life.

6) What makes your heart beat? What do you believe in, stand for, and want to tell others about?

Ah, this question stopped me dead in my tracks (or keyboard?). A thousand times over, my family. I would do anything for them. This includes my biological family, and of course my dog, but it also includes my closet friends who I consider my family and my boyfriend of 8 years, John. I believe in balance. Saying yes and saying no – not one or the other every time. I’m all about jumping in when the time is right, but sometimes I need to binge a show on Netflix and practice some self care. And that’s okay. I want to tell others, especially women (including myself), that you don’t have to do it all. If yoga is what makes your heart happy, do it. If knitting keeps you content, please do it. If splurging on bath bombs prevents stress, buy them all. My mom once left me a note in my suitcase when I traveled to Cape Town one summer. She knows I get a little anxious when traveling, and she wrote: “Be peaceful, you have so much to be thankful for.” And that was all I needed.

7) What do you do? And what led you to choose this path?

In easy terms, I’m a writer. I write stories for Engagement magazine published by the UK College of Nursing and for InStep magazine published by both the College and UK HealthCare. I also manage the College’s website, social media, email communications and digital signage. My “path” during undergrad was public relations, and in this path, I learned my strength was writing. I was required to have an internship my senior year, and I worked with the College as a content manager. I was super lucky that they offered me a full-time job after graduation. I’d love to start a business with John someday, so we’ll see where that path leads 🙂

8) If you could describe your ideal day, how would it go?

Ah, Sundays! Sunday is the only day of the week John consistently has off from work, so we like to use the time to either relax in our little home or explore the area. I’m not going to lie – we are huge Netflix people. We’re currently between Designated Survivor, Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder. But we also love to bake (banana chocolate chip bread, anyone?). My favorite places to visit in Lexington are Chocolate Holler and A Cup of Commonwealth, and I also love to visit CycleYou if I’m feeling up to it! If it’s really pretty outside, you can probably find us strolling around our neighborhood in Lexington’s Historic District or Distillery District:)

Sweetheart of the Month

-Sally Evans-

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