From Lake City to Oklahoma City: The Move That Changed Our Family’s Story
Almost 20 years ago, the Kirby family packed up and made a pretty big move—from Lake City, South Carolina, to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Over the years, people have asked me many times, “Wayne, why Oklahoma?”
For me, the answer was actually pretty simple. It was about family, opportunity, and what I believed would be best for our boys.
Leaving Home
I grew up in Lake City, a small South Carolina town of about 8,000 people. I always joke that I probably knew 6,000 of them.
It was home.
I had friends everywhere. I knew the roads, the people, the businesses, and the community. I was comfortable there, and there is certainly nothing wrong with being comfortable. Lake City gave me friendships and memories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
South Carolina will always be home to me.
But sometimes life calls you to leave what is comfortable and take a chance on something different.
Losing a Dad—and Gaining Another One
My dad passed away in August of 1999, and losing him was one of the hardest moments of my life.
When Terra and I got married shortly afterward, I was blessed with another father figure through my father-in-law. In a way, I felt like I had lost a dad and then had been blessed with another one.
As our boys, Luke and Nick, were growing up, I started thinking more and more about what I wanted their childhood to look like.
I wanted them to know their grandparents.
I wanted them to have a granddad around.
I wanted them to have those everyday experiences with their grandparents that you simply can't get back once childhood is gone.
After a lot of thought and a lot of prayer, we made the decision to leave South Carolina and move to Oklahoma City to be closer to Terra's family.
It wasn't an easy decision. Leaving the place I had called home my entire life, along with so many friends and memories, was tough.
But I believed it was the right decision for our family.
Giving Our Boys a Different View of the World
There was another reason for the move.
I wanted Luke and Nick to experience something outside the small town where I had grown up.
Growing up in a small Southern town taught me values that I wouldn't trade for anything—knowing your neighbors, treating people with respect, helping somebody when they need it, and understanding that your word and your handshake mean something.
Those were values I absolutely wanted our boys to have.
But I also wanted them to experience a larger city, meet different people, see different opportunities, and understand that their future could be bigger and different than anything they might imagine as young boys.
Looking back almost 20 years later, it's pretty amazing to see how their stories have unfolded.
Both boys graduated from Oklahoma State University, and each has taken his own path.
Luke eventually made his way back to South Carolina and now lives in Pawleys Island, bringing part of our family's story full circle. He has built a career in aviation sales, which gives him the opportunity to travel, see different places, and meet people from all over. He really enjoys the travel that comes with his work, and when time permits, he's picked up a new hobby that fits life on the South Carolina coast pretty well—surfing.
Nick chose to stay in Oklahoma City, where he is now working alongside me in real estate and building a career of his own in the business. As a dad, there's something pretty special about getting to work beside your son, watching him learn the business, build relationships, and begin creating his own path and reputation in real estate.
One son found his way back to South Carolina and a career that lets him see more of the world.
One stayed in Oklahoma and is building his real estate career alongside me.
And Mom and Dad somehow ended up with two pretty good reasons to spend time in both places.
Funny how life works.
South Carolina Never Stopped Being Home
Moving to Oklahoma didn't mean leaving South Carolina behind.
We still get back often. We love the South Carolina beaches and coast, and there are friendships and memories there that will always be part of who we are.
My mom is still in South Carolina, living in a nursing home, so getting back to see her is very important to me.
No matter how many years I live in Oklahoma, when I cross back into South Carolina, there's still something that feels like coming home.
But Oklahoma became home too.
It's where we raised our boys, built friendships, grew our careers, and created another lifetime of memories.
Sometimes a Move Is About More Than Real Estate
Maybe that's one reason I've always looked at real estate a little differently.
I've lived the other side of the transaction.
I know what it's like to pack up your family, leave behind friends and everything familiar, drive hundreds of miles away, and start over somewhere new.
A house may be what gets bought or sold on paper, but that's rarely the whole story.
Sometimes you're moving to be closer to family.
Sometimes you're moving for your children.
Sometimes it's a job or a new opportunity.
And sometimes you simply feel like God is opening another chapter in your life.
Almost 20 years ago, our journey took us from Lake City, South Carolina, to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
At the time, I couldn't have told you exactly where that road would lead.
Today, I can look at our two grown sons, both Oklahoma State graduates, each building a life and career of his own, and see how much came from that one decision.
Almost 20 years ago, we made that drive from Lake City to Oklahoma City hoping to give our boys more opportunities, more experiences, and a chance to see a bigger world.
Today, looking at the lives they're building for themselves, I'm pretty thankful we made that trip.
It reminds me that sometimes the hardest part is simply being willing to leave what's comfortable and start down the road.
For the Kirby family, that road led west to Oklahoma.
And I'm very thankful we took it.
Wayne Kirby
Managing Partner & Broker | The Agency Oklahoma City & Tulsa
The Kirby Group
📞 405-550-5252
🌐 thekirbygroup.agency
