This story holds a special place in my heart! One crisp autumn afternoon, my friend and I were on our way back home when we stumbled upon a quaint house with vintage treasures scattered across the yard and porch. Naturally, our curiosity got the better of us, so we turned around to explore.
As we approached the front porch, the owner, Marianna Kennedy-Jordan, greeted us with the warmest smile and kindly offered her help. We leisurely perused her collection, uncovering a few gems that we just had to take home.
After making our purchases, I didn’t expect that our brief stop would turn into an hour of heartfelt conversation with a stranger who quickly became a friend. We shared our stories, both intertwined with our love for Florence, this beautiful town, and the incredible people who make it feel like home.
Inspired by Marianna, her journey, and her carefully curated collection of vintage finds, I asked if I could capture her story in photos. She graciously agreed, and I hurried home to grab my camera before returning to document her world.
Marianna started her vintage shop at the height of the pandemic in early 2020. At a time when isolation was the norm and everyone was yearning for connection, her street came alive with walkers seeking fresh air and a break from the confines of their homes. She came up with the idea of hosting a porch sale, a safe way to foster community during such a difficult time.
To her surprise, passersby were curious about the display on her porch and stopped to ask what she was doing. Many walked away with a smile, having found joy in the simple pleasure of discovery, during a time when joy felt hard to come by. Though the pandemic has passed, Marianna continues her porch sales at least twice a year, because of the happiness they bring both to her and to the community. Through these porch sales, she has met so many people, each with their own unique stories.
Marianna’s story is a testament to the power of community, connection, and creativity. Her porch sales have become more than just a way to share vintage treasures—they’ve built bridges between strangers and created lasting friendships. I feel grateful to have stumbled upon her shop that autumn afternoon, and even more blessed to have captured her beautiful spirit through my lens.
You can find her on Instagram at @honeysuckle_and_gardenias and on her Etsy store https://www.etsy.com/shop/HoneysuckleGardenia
