There’s a story behind the name Coffee Break. I worked for Starbucks, and after 10 years with the company, you could take a one-year sabbatical. Joe and I decided to spend that year living aboard our Selene—and that “Coffee Break” ultimately became a whole new way of life for us. Today, I work for Selene Yachts Americas, helping other people become Selene owners, which I absolutely love.

There is also an interesting story behind 60-23. She was originally named Hathor and was built for Jim Miller. There was one owner between Jim and us, but Jim always missed his Selene. Now the story has come full circle: Jim is building another one—60-51!

This week, I had the opportunity to visit the shipyard with Sophie, who is building 60-53, Seventh Sense. Sophie and her husband, Jean Francois, live in Quebec, Canada, and French is their primary language.

A few years ago, Jean Francois became very sick. While he was recovering, he started watching boaters and their adventures on the internet. That experience changed his perspective. He realized he didn’t want to spend his life sitting on the couch—he wanted to make plans to live his dreams when he retired.

When JF and Sophie began looking for the right cruising yacht, they visited Trawlerfest in Fort Lauderdale and explored several different options. That was where they came across Selene—and from their very first interaction with the Selene team, the experience felt different.

They were warmly welcomed by members of the Selene community, including Elisabeth from 60-50 Full Circle, Cindy from Selene 53 Kallisto, and I were together laughing and joking, and we started talking with Sophie. She immediately felt at home. That experience helped her realize that Selene wasn’t simply the boat she wanted—it was the community she wanted to be part of.

Sophie and I traveled together to China for this shipyard visit, and it was her first big trip traveling on her own. She wasn’t quite sure what to expect. When she arrived at the factory, she was surprised to discover that the same warmth she had experienced with the Selene owners was also here with all of you. She saw a team that is friendly, welcoming, and genuinely seems to enjoy working together. During the visit, she also had the opportunity to see the yachts being built firsthand, explore different materials and finishes, and sit down face-to-face with the team to discuss ideas and better understand how their own boat could take shape. Being welcomed into the shipyard and involved so directly in the process made the experience feel even more personal and reassuring.

Sophie said something during our visit that I think describes the experience beautifully: “Everyone is so nice. We come into your workplace with so much excitement and energy, and you are patient with us and give us the space to become part of your lives.”

That is exactly how it feels.

So, to everyone here who builds these incredible yachts: Thank you for making our dreams come true!

We feel the love and pride you put into every Selene you build. When we are thousands of miles from home—and especially when the seas get rough—we think about the people who built our boat and the care that went into her.

You aren’t simply building yachts.

You are building the safe, beautiful homes that allow people like Joe and me, and now Sophie and Jean Francois, to go out into the world and live our dreams.

Thank you for being such an important part of those dreams.