Dream it. Do it.  For Isabel Lay-Meireles, moving to Venetian Isles felt like destiny. 

After spending 26 years in Georgia, Isabel never stopped dreaming of returning to Florida. She had lived in Miami until she was 27, and although life took her to Atlanta when her husband’s job transferred the family, she always knew she would come back.

“Everybody knew I was coming back to Florida,” she says. “I’m home finally.”

That feeling has only grown stronger since Isabel and her husband, Rolando “Roly” Meireles, closed on their home in October 2025. For Isabel, this move was more than a relocation—it was a long-awaited return.

“I’m in total bliss,” she says. “I’m so happy where I am. I cannot be more grateful.”

Isabel and Roly have three children—Carolina, Michael, and Cristina—and a small Yorkie mix named Piper, who has already made her presence known in the neighborhood. But it’s Isabel who is quickly becoming the one to know.

She is, at her core, a connector.

“I love people. I love putting people together,” she says. “I love entertaining. I love seeing people together.”

In Georgia, her home was known for its “revolving door.” Friends and family were always welcome to stop by, sit down, and make themselves at home. That same open, welcoming energy is something she’s bringing with her to Venetian Isles.

She’s already started introducing herself whenever she can, learning names, and finding ways to connect—even discovering that in this neighborhood, people tend to meet more in backyards and along the water than in the front yard.

“I want to meet you. I want to know who you are,” she says.

That desire to connect goes hand in hand with her natural instinct to serve others. Isabel describes her love language as organizing and helping people. She’s the kind of neighbor who wants to lend a hand, whether it’s bringing in a trash can, checking on a home, or helping someone get organized.

“Just send me a text,” she says. “If you need me and I’m here, I’m here.”

Before moving to Florida, Isabel worked as a part-time paraprofessional in Georgia, a role she stepped into almost by accident. After spending so much time volunteering at her children’s school, someone suggested she make it official. What began as a small step quickly grew into something meaningful.

She became a familiar and beloved presence, especially among students. One child gave her a nickname that stuck.

“Nobody knew my name,” she says with a laugh. “They just knew me as Miss Awesome.”

It’s easy to see why. Isabel has a natural ability to connect with people, especially children, and she hopes to eventually return to working in the school system here once she’s fully settled.

At home, life is full and ever-changing. Roly works for Chobani as Vice President of Engineering, a role that keeps him traveling often. He’s also passionate about football, DJing, and finding the best pizza wherever he goes.

That love of DJing actually played a role in how the couple met. Isabel first noticed him when he was DJing at a college event connected to her brother’s fraternity. Not long after, she hired him to DJ a party and their relationship quickly followed.

“By the third date, we were dating,” she says. “After three months, I told my best friend, ‘I’m going to marry him.’”

She was right.

Together, they’ve raised three children who are now stepping into their own paths. Carolina is a nurse in Atlanta working in cardiac intensive care. Michael is preparing to take his Florida real estate exam after already passing in Georgia. Cristina is currently attending Florida State University and enjoying college life to the fullest.

Being back in Florida has also made it easier for Isabel to spend time with her elderly mother in Miami, something that means more to her than ever.

Even their home carries a sense of history that makes this move feel even more special. Isabel recently learned that the original owner of the house, Robert Vodicka, was one of the architects involved in the design of the iconic Don CeSar hotel in St. Pete Beach.

“I just thought that was so interesting,” she says. “There are still little original details in the home, and I’d love to keep them.”

Life in Venetian Isles has already begun to feel like exactly what she hoped it would be. From the sunshine to the sense of community, everything about it feels right. She and Roly recently purchased a pontoon boat and are looking forward to spending time on the water—relaxing, cruising, and enjoying this new chapter at a slower pace.

“There’s something about the sunshine,” she says. “I’m just so happy to be here.”

After 26 years away, Isabel Lay-Meireles has returned to Florida with a full heart and an open door. She is ready to build connections, support her neighbors, and fully embrace this next season of life.

And if you happen to see her around the neighborhood, don’t hesitate to say hello. She is eager to meet more friendly folks here in Venetian Isles (and that means you!).