Congratulations to Crofton Springs resident Eileen Hull for being recognized as our January Volunteer of the Month! Eileen recently started Her Time, a new community group dedicated to creating space for women to connect, recharge and focus on self-care. In just a few months, the group has quickly gained momentum and grown into a supportive community for women of all ages. Please join us for Her Time on the third Friday of every month from 7-9 p.m.
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I moved to King County from Kitsap County in the spring of 2017. I was an empty-nester and ready to live in “the big city.” I spent some time in First Hill, West Seattle and then in Newcastle. I had been looking for a place to buy but couldn’t decide where.
Around that time, I happened to attend an evening movie at Regal Theaters. I had never heard of Issaquah Highlands before this. I returned the following weekend to explore during the day. I fell in love with the little village area, all the trails and the fact that there was housing for people from various situations. I knew immediately this was where I wanted to live. Two weeks later, in October 2024, I attended an open house. Two days after that, I was under contract for a cottage house in Crofton Springs!
I live with my two fur-besties, Rocco and Lola. We can be found exploring Issaquah Highlands multiple times a day. My adult son lives in San Diego, California. He decided he liked the sun there after serving five years in the Marine Corps. My daughter, son-in-law and 4-year-old granddaughter live in San Antonio, Texas. Parenthood was a learning experience, but being a grandma is divine!
Her Time meets on the third Friday of every month from 7-9 p.m.
After I finished unpacking a million moving boxes, I started to think about ways I could connect to the community. I knew I belonged in Issaquah Highlands, but I didn’t have any friendships here. Those relationships were exactly what I needed to solidify this community as my home. After learning that residents could use Blakely Hall to host community groups, I realized that I could solve my own problem. Eventually, my desire to develop friendships outweighed my fear of doing something I had never done before. That’s when the Her Time community group was born.
There have been four monthly Her Time meetings so far. January brought together 22 women, ranging in age from 18 to 90! While many have expressed gratitude to me for starting the group, the truth is that I am the one who is grateful. Their willingness to come to Her Time to share, laugh and be vulnerable has made a tremendous difference in my life.
When I moved here, I didn’t know anyone in the community. Now, I have close to 30 new girlfriends! I have women I can call to catch a movie, grab coffee or even go to a magic show at the Moore Theatre. (I didn’t see that one coming!) Each of these women has taken the time to join a stranger in the hopes that friendship will bloom. And we are building a rose garden!
My reason for starting Her Time was selfish. I just wanted some friends. But for over four months, I have gotten more than I could have ever imagined from this group. If you feel compelled to volunteer, or if you have an idea for a group but are fearful that it may not be well received, please try! I can promise you that other people in the community feel the same way you do. Let this be the year you try something new!
Are you inspired to get involved in the Issaquah Highlands community?
Opportunities are available!
Click here to discover all the different ways you can get involved in our Issaquah Highlands community, including opportunities to join boards and committees, as well as urgent needs at local nonprofits.
Questions? Contact Lindsey Pinkston, Highlands Council Executive Director.
