In the mid-1800s, John Tobin, my 3rd great-grandfather, originally from Ireland, moved his family from Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada to settle in Empire, Michigan.

As a fourth-generation Tobin, I've had the joy of experiencing beautiful Leelanau County since birth. On a regular basis, we'd travel up north from downstate — where my mom, Marjorie Tobin, met and married my dad, George McNally — to visit my grandpa and grandma Tobin at their home on Little Glen Lake.

I have fond memories of those visits, especially playing games with my grandpa. He loved games. Whether it was checkers or another game, he was “in his element.” He would have loved Matching Memories.

My history with Leelanau County started with connections to the area and its surroundings in the mid-to-late 1970s. I came up often to visit my sister. Some of my most enjoyable memories were sharing the area with my sister’s family and venturing out on my own with her two young daughters to several Leelanau spots for fun and adventure.

I fell in love with the peaceful nature and beauty of Leelanau.

This was years before I met Mike. Our paths did not cross in upper Michigan, but years later we met downstate. We shared a strong connection to Leelanau County. One of our special memories as a couple was when Mike proposed to me on the shore of Little Glen Lake, which is part of the Tobin homestead. We continue to share this special area with our children and create many lasting memories.