In April of 2005 Deb and Mel realized advice from a Mother is a good thing. Mel's mother, Jean, said "You two girls have something I never had. I have always been proud of how strong your friendship is. Never take it for granted". Deb was driving Jean to the hospital for her first radiation treatment. She died six weeks later.

Growing up, Deb's father 'Chic' would bring his four daughter's salmon fishing on the coast. Melanie was included in the two week vacation. Chic considered Melanie one more of his daughters. Vacations with the family were always easier if Mel and Deb were not separated.

Late April of 1975 'Chic' died at the young age of 47. Deb and Mel were still in high school.

The summer of 2000 Deb was introduced to the 'Coupeville Coffee House' morning coffee group. It was her birthday and asked the locals where the best place to catch a fish. Burt left and returned with a package of cod he had caught. Debbie was 'hooked on Coupeville'.

The love of the ocean and salmon fishing brought Deb back to the coast when her last child graduated from high school. She and her husband opened One More Thing!, a boutique on Front Street, in 2001.

Our deceased parents, Chic and Jean, would be smiling if they saw that Mel and Deb are at last living a dream they have had since they were five years old. Mel and her husband moved to Coupeville to help open the second store 'Back to the Island' in 2006. A third store 'Beyond the Sea' opened in February 2007. All three stores are located on Front Street in Coupeville.

Mel and Deb will turn 50 this year. Forty-five years preparing for their lifelong wish. "We will never be the girls that regret. We are two feisty broads".

P.S. Deb caught four salmon in 2006. Melanie will point out that her 30 lb. king caught in 1973 still holds the record. They can be found every morning with Burt Blakely at the Coupeville Coffee House coffee group.