Loving where you live means investing in it with your time, your dollars, and your heart. I didn’t always understand that. Like many people, I was drawn to Southern Utah for the sunshine, the red rocks, the slower pace, the feeling that life could breathe a little easier here. What I didn’t realize was that loving a place isn’t passive. It isn’t just enjoying the view or appreciating the weather. It’s an active choice. One you make again and again. For me, that choice looks like shopping local even when it’s easier to click and ship. It looks like knowing the names behind the counters, the stories behind the storefronts, and understanding that when we spend our money locally, we’re keeping our neighbors employed, our schools funded, and our community strong. It’s not always the cheapest option, but it’s almost always the most meaningful.
Loving where you live also means giving your time. Serving on boards, volunteering at
events, showing up when help is needed, even when it’s inconvenient. Over the years, I’ve been deeply involved with local nonprofits and community organizations, especially those supporting survivors of domestic violence. That work isn’t glamorous. It’s often quiet, emotional, and behind the scenes. But it matters. Communities don’t thrive because of big gestures. They thrive because people consistently show up.
Southern Utah has a way of reminding you what really matters. The pace slows you down just enough to notice things. Friday night football games. Fundraisers that feel more like family reunions. Small businesses that remember your name and ask about your kids. Sunsets that stop you mid sentence because they’re that beautiful. Those moments ground you. They remind you that life is happening right here, not somewhere else. Some of my favorite local moments are the simplest ones. A spontaneous date night downtown. A walk through a local event where you see the same faces year after year. A quick coffee meeting that turns into an hour long conversation because connection matters more than the clock. These aren’t just things to do. They’re the threads that weave a community together.
Owning a business here has deepened that perspective. When your livelihood is tied to the health of the community, you see things differently. You understand that trust is built over time. That relationships matter. That being present and reliable carries weight. You also understand that success isn’t just measured in growth or numbers, but in impact. In whether people know they can count on you.
There’s a responsibility that comes with loving a place this much. To protect it. To
contribute to it. To make it better for the next generation. That responsibility shows up in how we spend our money, how we give our time, and how we treat one another.
St. George and Southern Utah have given me so much. A place to raise my family. A
community that supports one another. A sense of belonging that doesn’t happen
everywhere. Loving where I live isn’t something I say lightly. It’s something I practice.
Because at the end of the day, strong communities don’t happen by accident. They happen because people decide they’re worth investing in. And this one absolutely is.
Shonie Christensen is the owner of The Shonie Insurance Group in St. George, Utah. A longtime local business owner and community advocate, she is passionate about supporting small businesses, giving back through service, and investing in the Southern Utah community she proudly calls home.
There’s a responsibility that comes with loving a place this much. To protect it. To
contribute to it. To make it better for the next generation.