If the latest cover of Michiana Life is giving our loyal readers a sense of déjà vu, don’t worry; it is designed to do so.

Our cover model, Anna Russo Sieber, made her second cover appearance on our September 2019 edition — exactly five years after she was featured on the cover of our very first issue.

Inside, readers will see many other familiar faces, as our team caught up with one “cover model” from each year Michiana Life has been produced.

As we have prepared this special anniversary edition of Michiana Life, I would be lying if I said I did not get a bit emotional looking back at how far we have come.

In five years, I have met countless impeccable individuals I may have never known had Michiana Life never existed. I have sat down with dozens of special people as they confided in me, trusting me to relay their words to the page. To say I have been honored to write their stories is an understatement.

Another crew of amazing people have entered my life because of this magazine, and those are people whose faces you do not see every issue. The people behind the scenes — our incredibly talented writers and photographers — have made this job a dream as they share their similar passion for storytelling through beautiful writing and photography.

I have enjoyed the crazy looks I get from our contributors as I share yet another crazy idea for a photo shoot, or some obscure undertaking for a story series — but these talented people pull it off and exceed my expectations every time.

Some of my favorite memories have happened because of this magazine — like hanging out in an empty Morris Performing Arts Center with Sarah Culton and Tim Ritter on a rainy Saturday, as musicians from all over the region played for us in the echoing historic building.

I remembered hanging out in my friend Wes Jerdon’s very first photo studio on S. 11th Street in Niles, jaw dropped in awe as Niles native Amber Neumann performed beautiful ballet. Wes captured one of my favorite photos to date that day, and it made it to the cover of our third issue.

It has been an absolute joy to capture not only the stories of interesting people, but to document the development our region has seen throughout the years.

Flipping through 25 magazines, I smiled as I remembered the first time I visited Temper Grille, at ease in the upscale atmosphere because owner Sean Kelley advised that the best meals are enjoyed while making a mess. I remembered the opening of one of my favorite Dowagiac restaurants, the Strand, and the way the sun setting over Sister Lakes took my breath away.

As the region grew, so did our magazine, so much so that we now not only publish six issues a year, but also launched a spinoff magazine last fall — South Bend Life publishes the alternating months.

We took great pleasure compiling this issue, revisiting old stories and reminiscing like old friends.

As we start this next chapter in our story, we look forward to making many more friends, and watching the community grow with you.