From Chattanooga to Gainesville: The Fruit of Friendship (and Community)
I met Luci and Matt in March 2021, and it happened the way a lot of real friendships start—through community.
Back then I was working as the event space coordinator at FEED Table and Tavern, helping host community dinners. Food has always been one of my favorite ways to bring people together, and those nights weren’t just “events”—they were the beginning of relationships.
Somewhere in that season, I was also falling in love with running and exploring more of the world around me. And when you’re building community, you tend to find the kind of people who are down for a little adventure—people who become your people.
Food, travel, and a friend group that says “yes”
Over time, our friendship grew the way the best ones do: meals, trips, conversations, and showing up for each other in real life. We traveled together—one of the biggest highlights being Paris—and we ran our first marathon together as a friend group. That’s one of those experiences that bonds you forever.
And that’s what I love: the intersection of community and experiences. The kind of friendships that make your world bigger.
Then came the season of big decisions
When Luci made the decision to leave teaching and pursue her PhD, it created a wave of questions that would stress anybody out.
Do you sell your home in Chattanooga or keep it?
Do you buy or rent in Gainesville?
Can you split time between two cities and make it work financially and practically?
It was a lot of unknown—and when you’re in that kind of season, you don’t just need “answers.” You need steady support and people you trust.
What I did was simple: I connected the dots
Here’s the truth: I can’t be in every city, but I can help you find the right people.
I reached out to my network and connected Luci and Matt with trusted local real estate experts in Gainesville. And I’m not exaggerating when I say this: they found the perfect place—a fully furnished home that made the purchase feel easy, and it created the opportunity to Airbnb and generate income to support this chapter while splitting time between Gainesville and Chattanooga.
That’s the part I’m proud of—not just the “transaction,” but the fact that it reduced stress and gave them a plan that made sense.
Gainesville: getting to see the fruit of it all
The best part is that I eventually got to come down and see it in person—friendship and “work” overlapping in the best way.
We packed the weekend with the kind of things I love: good food, classic local spots, a little Old Florida energy, wildlife, and a big dose of Gator game day.
Here’s the recap:
Thursday: ease into Gainesville
We started relaxed with dinner and drinks at Loosey's Downtown—the kind of spot that just feels like Gainesville. The perfect way to settle in and catch up.
Friday: donuts → UF → Old Florida stops → prairie views
Friday was a full day in the best way:
Flatfish donuts (yes… the “fish head” donuts)
A walk through the University of Florida campus + the bookstore at Reitz Union
A couple stops that felt like classic Florida
Then a reset at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park—big skies, sweeping views, and that “I could stand here forever” feeling
Saturday: game day + The Swamp
We kept it simple and perfect:
Lunch at Hogan's Great Sandwiches (elite subs — no notes)
Tailgate energy and soaking in campus vibes
Then the main event: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for Florida vs. Tennessee
There’s nothing like The Swamp on game day. The traditions, the band, the electricity… it’s one of those experiences you feel in your chest. And the night ended the right way: good people, good laughs, and Hitster.
The real point of all of this
This weekend wasn’t just a trip. It was a reminder that community is the whole thing. Food, travel, running, real estate—at the end of the day, what I’m actually trying to do is help people build a life they love and feel supported while they do it.
If you’re in a season of big decisions and you need someone to help you connect the dots, I’m always happy to help.
— Ricky Streeter
