We’re not Seattle, and that’s just fine

“I’m from Seattle.” Have you ever found yourself saying that to somebody while you’re on vacation, even though it’s not true?

You know that if you said, “I’m from Edmonds,” or Mountlake Terrace, or Marysville, or Clearview, somebody from New York would probably stare at you blankly.

And the part that really bites? Thanks to the “Twilight” series, if you were to say, “I’m from Forks, Washington,” that New Yorker would totally know where you are talking about.

“Ooooh!” she might say. “Have you seen Bella’s truck?”

Well, no, I haven’t, but I have been to Olympic National Park. That’s pretty cool, too.

Our proximity to three national parks is just one of about 10 thousand reasons why I’m glad to live in Snohomish County. Choosing to raise our children here was one of the best decisions my husband and I ever made.

I love that you can go out to dinner and find a place to park. I love that you can wear fleece to church. I love that I don’t know anyone with a $700 Bugaboo stroller.

I love that if I were stuck at the ER because my 3-year-old stuck an apple up her nose, I know about a dozen people who would pick up my son at the bus stop for me.

I love how the farther you drive north, the more Herald paper boxes you see along every driveway. It makes me feel like I am part of a community that cares about itself.

Seattle may be “The Emerald City,” but Herald readers know that there are gems all over Puget Sound.

Recently, my son and I drove up to Silvana Meats. I didn’t see any urban hipsters in the joint, but I did see a lot of people who care about quality food.

When we arrive, it was crowded, but not too crowded. Somebody helped us right away and there was a buzz of friendly efficiency in the whole place.

Camano Island Coffee Roasters is the same way. My daughter and I were there last December on a day that was so cold and windy that I almost couldn’t open the car door. But when we got inside, the whole place was cozy and full of responsible coffee shoppers. It was kind of like being in Seattle, only nobody had multiple facial piercings.

But please don’t get me wrong, because I love Seattle, too. The Space Needle, the Pacific Science Center, the Woodland Park Zoo, Children’s Hospital: It’s nice living so close to it all.

Still, the next time I’m out of town and somebody asks me where I’m from, I’m ready with a new answer.

“I’m from Edmonds,” I’ll say. “That’s about 20 minutes south of Everett.”

Jennifer Bardsley is an Edmonds mom of two and blogs at teachingmybabytoread.blog.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Brandon Hailey of Cytrus, center, plays the saxophone during a headlining show at Madam Lou’s on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood-based funk octet Cytrus has the juice

Resilience and brotherhood take center stage with ‘friends-first’ band.

FILE - In this April 11, 2014 file photo, Neko Case performs at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif. Fire investigators are looking for the cause of a fire on Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, that heavily damaged Case’s 225-year-old Vermont home. There were no injuries, though a barn was destroyed. It took firefighters two hours to extinguish the blaze. (Photo by Scott Roth/Invision/AP, File)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Singer-songwriter Neko Case, an indie music icon from Tacoma, performs Sunday in Edmonds.

Sarah Jean Muncey-Gordon puts on some BITCHSTIX lip oil at Bandbox Beauty Supply on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Langley, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Bandbox Beauty was made for Whidbey Island locals, by an island local

Founder Sarah Muncey-Gordon said Langley is in a renaissance, and she’s proud to be a part of it.

Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli
Tangier’s market boasts piles of fruits, veggies, and olives, countless varieties of bread, and nonperishables, like clothing and electronics.
Rick Steves on the cultural kaleidoscope of Tangier in Morocco

Walking through the city, I think to myself, “How could anyone be in southern Spain — so close — and not hop over to experience this wonderland?”

chris elliott.
Vrbo promised to cover her rental bill in Hawaii, so why won’t it?

When Cheryl Mander’s Vrbo rental in Hawaii is uninhabitable, the rental platform agrees to cover her new accommodations. But then it backs out. What happened?

Byrds co-founder Roger McGuinn, seen here in 2013, will perform April 20 in Edmonds. (Associated Press)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

R0ck ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Roger McGuinn, frontman of The Byrds, plans a gig in Edmonds in April.

Mother giving in to the manipulation her daughter fake crying for candy
Can children be bribed into good behavior?

Only in the short term. What we want to do is promote good habits over the course of the child’s life.

Speech Bubble Puzzle and Discussion
When conflict flares, keep calm and stand your ground

Most adults don’t like dissension. They avoid it, try to get around it, under it, or over it.

The colorful Nyhavn neighborhood is the place to moor on a sunny day in Copenhagen. (Cameron Hewitt)
Rick Steves: Embrace hygge and save cash in Copenhagen

Where else would Hans Christian Andersen, a mermaid statue and lovingly decorated open-face sandwiches be the icons of a major capital?

Last Call is a festured artist at the 2024 DeMiero Jazz Festival: in Edmonds. (Photo provided by DeMiero Jazz Festival)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Jazz ensemble Last Call is one of the featured artists at the DeMiero Jazz Festival on March 7-9 in Edmonds.

Kim Helleren
Local children’s author to read at Edmonds Bookshop

Kim Helleren will read from one of her books for kids at the next monthly Story Time at Edmonds Bookshop on March 29.

Chris Elliott
Lyft surprises traveler with a $150 cleaning charge

Jared Hakimi finds a $150 charge on his credit card after a Lyft ride. Is that allowed? And will the charge stick?

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.