Most among us would agree that lifelong friendships are a special and rare gift – a sentiment not lost on Sue Kim and her childhood friend Valerie McHenry. Celebrating nearly 40 years of friendship, this charming duo wastes not one bit of the time they feel fortunate to spend together on the Isle of Palms. Kim explained, “Valerie and I have been friends for almost 40 years, and when she moved to the Isle of Palms, I knew I would be visiting her often!”
Kim and McHenry are both Maryland natives, with Kim now residing in Northern Virginia. Kim noted, “I make the drive down here from Northern Virginia at least once a year.” With equal parts island exploring and catching up, the longtime friends
never lack for things to do during their girls’ time on the island.
Kim continued, “We enjoy spending time in her pool, taking our dogs to the beach, eating, shopping and just relaxing together.” The friends work on a variety of projects together as well, with the most recent involving refinishing some vintage folding tables. McHenry elaborated, “Sue is the artistic, creative one! She always helps me with decorating, and she made her own stencils and painted them on my aunt’s tables. We are currently in the process of trying to frame these vintage postcards we got when we went to Hawaii together almost 20 years ago!”
Kim spends her non-vacation time as a marketing and events director for a nonprofit in Washington, D.C. When she visits the island, she and her canine companion, Jack, like to walk the beach and relax with their friends. Kim described Jack’s vibe. “Jack is a busybody and likes to sniff out any treats or crumbs in Valerie’s house. He also enjoys sitting next to Valerie’s husband on the couch and displacing their dog Finley. On the other hand, he dislikes anyone riding by on a scooter, bike or golf cart and demonstrates his distaste with boisterous barking.”
While the friends do enjoy eating out and tend to frequent the Long Island Café on special occasions, they typically prefer leaving the dogs with Valerie’s husband Jay while they indulge in a day of shopping. They often return to the McHenry house to find a homecooked meal, courtesy of the aforementioned husband. Shopping includes a good amount of thrifting, to which McHenry credits Kim as the expert. McHenry laughed, “We do lots of shopping. Sue likes to thrift and I am learning! The most recent shopping trips were to the Goodwill, Mount Pleasant Mall, a few antique places and Hobby Lobby.”
The friends know with each goodbye there is the promise of Kim’s return, and who can blame her? Our fair isle is one warm, welcome respite, especially when it includes a longtime friend and kindred spirit.
By Laura Fogarty
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