Elizabeth Conner

Thanksgiving is a time of year when families have the chance to get together and reconnect with one another. The holiday is characterized by the sweet smell of gourmet food lingering in the air, hugs and laughter between family and friends, the sound of little ones playing in the yard and the feeling of closeness as everyone sits down to enjoy a big meal together. For many families this joy of coming together only happens once a year, but for Elizabeth Conner's family, it is a weekly occurrence.

Every week, Elizabeth's family meets at her grandparents' house for Sunday dinners. The get-together includes anywhere from 15-20 family members, all living in the Bluffton area. "We have been doing it ever since I can remember. My family has always been so close to each other. My grandparents are the sweetest people alive; I am at their house nearly every day after work," Elizabeth said. "They have a constant open door policy - people are always coming in and out and no one ever knocks or calls to say they are coming over."

The family's history in Bluffton goes back more than 50 years when Elizabeth's grandfather moved from Savannah and built the house they still live in today. Later Elizabeth's father followed suit and built a house down the road where he raised Elizabeth and her brother, and where they still live today.

Elizabeth's father is one of five children and her mother is one of six, making Elizabeth one of 15 cousins, all within 13 years of each other. Her grandfather, father and brother all share a common family name, Allick Wyllie, along with a common profession, engineer. "My cousins and my brother are my absolute best friends. There are connections everywhere - I met my husband because his sister was my cousin Katheryn's best friend. It is a big joke because whenever we go out together everyone is either related or dating someone who is related to us," Elizabeth laughed.

Elizabeth's family naturally shares many common interests, such as their love for the water and outdoor activities, but according to Elizabeth they are held together by their differences. "We all have bizarre hobbies, but we all get along. There is no competition; I can't even remember a time when anyone has fought! We all appreciate each other's uniqueness. Everyone may spread their wings and do their own thing for a while, but they always come back."

Elizabeth's time for "spreading her wings" came in college when she went away to Charleston. Although she loved the city and the chance to experience a new atmosphere, when she graduated there was no doubt where she wanted to plant her roots. "Growing up I never really appreciated what I had because it was all I had ever known. I took for granted having my family around all the time, but when I went away, I realized how different and special my family really is."

Elizabeth's husband, Sam, also comes from a large Bluffton family with local roots for nearly 200 years. The couple hopes to one day have a family who they will raise the same way they were raised. "My dad is the smartest person I know and my mom is the coolest person ever - she is my role model. They gave us every opportunity growing up and supported us in everything we did. I want to stay here and raise a family just like they did. My husband and I were lucky enough to grow up with all of our family around us and I would like my kids to have the same opportunity as well," Elizabeth said. "Everyone thinks we are weird for being so close, but it's all I've ever known, and I wouldn't have it any other way."

Up Close:

Elizabeth is a: Newlywed! Just married in June to her high school sweetheart. They dated for six years.
Hobbies: Boating, fishing, reading and spoiling her black lab, Scout
Favorite Thanksgiving dishes: Turkey and sweet potatoes
Favorite part about Bluffton: The May River
If she could live anywhere else in the world: "I would live in Charleston. I would like to travel and see a lot of different places, but this is where I belong."