If you’ve ever met Sandie McNabb and her fiancé, Thomas LeMaire, you know they’re the kind of couple who instantly make you feel welcome. Sandie, originally from Central and born in Baton Rouge, has called Youngsville home since 1992—“back when it was just a town,” she laughs. Thomas is a New Iberia native and is now retired after owning Jackson Hewitt Tax Service franchises. Together, they’ve built a full and joyful life that includes Sandie’s three sons—Rob, Jack, and Alex Knox—and Thomas’ daughter, Margaret LeMaire Bunting, who is married to Jeremy Bunting and mom to three boys: Abram (10) and 8-year-old twins, Jasper and Silas. Rounding out the family is their toy poodle, Belvedere (or “Bel”), who loves to travel, play fetch, and—true to his personality—prefers people over other dogs.

Though Sandie built a career in accounting, her lifelong creative streak eventually took center stage. “I’ve always had a knack for art,” she says. Her mother, who went back to school later in life, earned a Fine Arts degree from LSU in 2006—proof that creativity runs in the family. Sandie initially followed a different path, graduating from LSU with a Finance degree in 1991 and earning her MBA from USL in 1993. Today, painting has become her passion. “I’ll completely lose track of time when I paint—and almost hate to stop when a piece needs to dry—so I end up keeping multiple paintings going at once.” Her work often features Louisiana landscapes and iconic live oak trees, and lately, she’s been drawn to coastal themes—painting crabs, oysters, crawfish, and graceful coastal birds like pelicans and blue herons. Sandie’s pieces are available for commission, and she loves working with clients to create custom artwork that reflects their favorite places, memories, or themes.

When she’s not in the studio, Sandie enjoys playing tennis, trying out new recipes, and walking along the beach. Travel is high on the couple’s list, especially trips to what she lovingly calls “blue water” beaches. Lately, they’ve been spending time in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi—a closer-to-home favorite that always has something fun happening. In fact, the couple has enjoyed Bay St. Louis so much, they decided to build a second home there! Looking ahead, they hope to honeymoon in Korea and Japan.

Back at home, the couple loves to gather with family around the table. Sandie makes a “mean chicken and sausage gumbo,” and when it’s crawfish or crab boil season, the backyard becomes the heart of the home. Her Korean heritage shines through in the kitchen, too—she often grills galbi and bulgogi, and Thomas is especially fond of her homemade cucumber kimchi. For dining out, seafood is always a go-to, with favorites like Don’s, Fezzo’s, C’est Bon Crawfish, and the hidden gem Jane’s in New Iberia.

Music, movies, and college football also add color to their lives. Sandie’s a self-proclaimed musical fan (think The Sound of Music), but she also loves historical dramas like The Tudors, Downton Abbey, and The Crown. Her playlists reflect her 80s roots—Wham!, Prince, U2, and Whitney Houston—alongside a newfound love for classic country artists like George Strait and Dwight Yoakam. And when it comes to game day, she’s a proud LSU Tiger, thanks in part to her years in the LSU marching band—but her sons attending Texas A&M have made her a part-time Aggie too (unless they’re playing LSU!).

Family traditions are deeply important to Sandie. Though her Korean grandmother has passed, the family continues to honor her on the anniversary of her death—an intentional way to keep gathering and remembering. “A lot of families stop getting together once grandparents are gone,” she reflects. With Thomas’ large family and her own deep roots, Sandie enjoys keeping those bonds alive.

Her warm personality—along with a few endearing quirks known as “Sandieisms”—make her especially memorable. “My mom is Korean, so I say simple sayings wrong sometimes,” she laughs. “And being half Irish and the oldest child, I might be a little bossy, but my soft baby voice apparently helps me get things done.”

Beyond painting, Sandie is also a published author of two children’s books: The Traveling ZOO Goes to School and The Traveling ZOO Goes to the Farm. A third title, The Traveling ZOO Goes to Mardi Gras, is currently in the works. The series introduces kids to fun and unusual group names for animals and is just another example of the creative spark she shares with the world.

What does she love most about Sugar Mill Pond? “The community,” she says without hesitation. “I love how people call you ‘Boo,’ ask if you’re hungry, or invite you over for a drink. That’s the kind of place I love to live.”