Even though we were raised in the suburban neighborhoods of Laurel, Maryland, Asheville, North Carolina, was where our souls felt anchored. The moment we crossed into the Blue Ridge Mountains, the fast-paced energy of Prince George's County completely evaporated. We didn't live there full-time, yet the second we stepped onto the property, it felt more like home than anywhere else on earth.

In Laurel, our everyday life was held together by our mother, Elsie Lenett Payne. As a single mother raising five children—Devin Martin, Letizia Payne, Weldon Payne Jr., Monzella Payne, and Ealia Payne-Wiley—she simply did what she had to do to get us through life. She wasn't trying to be a superhero; she was just working hard to cover the essentials, keeping us clothed, fed, and making sure we went to school every day. Her practical, steady effort provided the foundation we needed to grow up stable and secure.

Because of those routine months in Maryland, our summers at 956 West Chapel Road felt like a true release, opening into a beautiful, unhurried rhythm. The epicenter of everything was Babydoll’s front porch. Babydoll was the family nickname of our grandmother (Lenora Owens Green). We would spend hours out there just sitting, laughing, and waving at every single car and neighbor that passed by. In that neighborhood, you didn't need to guess who people were, they were almost undoubtedly cousins. If we ever got restless, we’d just walk down the street to a cousin's house, where the doors were always open, the games were already running, and there was always an extra plate waiting for us at the table.

The undisputed crown jewel of those summers was celebrating Babydoll’s birthday. Because it fell right in line with the July 4th holiday, the entire weekend felt like a festival dedicated entirely to her. The air was constantly thick with the smell of good food, and the days dissolved into nights filled with music, absolute love, and dancing that shook the floorboards. When the sky finally lit up with spectacular fireworks, it felt entirely fitting—a grand, bright celebration that matched the immense warmth and presence of the woman who brought us all together.

Ealia Wiley