Mary Katherine Keel graduated from Westminster Christian Academy and is pleased that children are enrolled there. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – Mary Katherine Keel was born in Fairhope, moved around the South with her family and eventually landed – and stayed – at the foot of Rainbow Mountain in Madison.

“There really was not much out in Madison when I first arrived, and it has been fun to watch it grow,” Mary Katherine said. “I learned to drive here and had my first jobs in Madison at Hallmark and at Madison Town & Country Bridal Shop, both on Hughes Road.”

After graduating from Westminster Christian Academy, Mary Katherine enrolled at Covenant College on Lookout Mountain, Tenn. “I came back to Madison to get married and finish my degree at Athens State University,” she said.

“My husband Paul and I have always loved historic homes. When one opened up in downtown Madison, we jumped at the chance to live there,” Mary Katherine said.

“I loved that little house! It had a huge maple tree in the front yard and a great front porch. We spent many hours rocking our firstborn on the porch swing,” she said.

However, the Keels faced a job change that took them to Powder Springs, Ga. outside of ATL for eight years. When that project ended, they were again faced with a move. “We made the choice to move back to the ‘Land of Engineers’ — Huntsville/Madison, Alabama,” Mary Katherine said.

“We’re very happy to be back. It has been fun to reconnect with old friends, make new ones and see how the town has grown,” she said. “And we do not miss the Atlanta traffic at all.”

This time around, their choice in homes took them to Wall Farms. “We have loved it, too. It’s never a quiet house, and we would not have it any other way,” Mary Katherine said.

She appreciates Madison’s convenience with “everything just right around the corner. I love that my children are going to the same school that I did. I love Westminster’s lower campus, just around the corner from our house. I love living in the same neighborhood as my best friend and Maid of Honor from my wedding.”

Main Street Cafe is a favorite lunch spot for Mary Katherine and friends. Her daughter is big Chick-fil-A fan so they spend lots of time at the Madison location.

The Keel’s children are Jackson, 16; Noah, 14; Knox, 10; Micah, 8; and Maggie, 3.

“Madison is home. I love raising my family here,” she said.