Kelly and Michael Smith have been a part of Perry Hall since 2004, moving to Honeygo Village right after their oldest, Ella, was born. After daughter Mia joined the family, they moved to Honeybrook Farms, where they lived when their youngest, Nellie, was born. About eight years ago, their family added a rescue puppy, Ruby.

Kelly and Michael met in college, on the first day of their freshman year at Mount St. Mary’s in Maryland, though they did not start dating until their senior year. Michael tells their daughters that Kelly chased him, but Kelly says that Michael made the first move. They married in 2000.

Michael started his career in his father’s company in Pennsylvania, selling electrical construction supplies. When they moved to Maryland, he worked for another company for a time before starting his own firm. He is now the President and Owner of Phoenix Sales and Marketing, representing manufacturers in the electrical distribution and construction fields. The business celebrated its fifteenth anniversary this year with an office in Halethorpe and fifteen employees covering the entire state of Maryland, DC, Northern Virginia and parts of West Virginia.

Kelly is a pediatric nurse who graduated from Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. Her career began at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, near where they lived immediately after getting married. When they returned to Maryland, she worked for two years at Bayview as a “floater nurse,” an intense and busy job. She then began teaching as a clinical instructor at Johns Hopkins, where she taught pediatric nursing for ten years. Today, Kelly works as a case manager for the University of Maryland.

Their three daughters are each unique, though they share a love for Disney and Star Wars.

Ella (21) is a junior at Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia, majoring in writing and enjoying classes in gender studies, which she recently added as a minor. She graduated from George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Towson, where her primary focus was writing, and she plans to continue to write fiction. Her favorite poet is Emily Dickinson, and she loves immersing herself in a well-developed fantasy world. While she’s away at college, she checks in every day for a photo of Ruby.

Mia (18) graduated from Notre Dame Preparatory School this spring and just started classes at the University of Vermont’s Honor College, studying environmental science. Her capstone project at Notre Dame explored how trees communicate and included photography comparing structures within the human body to characteristics of trees.

Nellie (16) is a junior at Notre Dame Preparatory School and is interested in wildlife biology. When she was younger, her family called her “the animal whisperer” because of her ability to connect with all types of animals. She is exploring college options that would allow her to pursue zoology.

The three sisters enjoyed growing up in a diverse neighborhood, living near people of different ages, races, and backgrounds. Their family was one of the first in their corner of Honeybrook Farms, so it was fun to watch new families moving into each house. Being near the Honeygo Run always meant that there were outdoor places to explore.

The Smiths love to travel. Kelly jokes that the girls “weren’t necessarily spoiled with things, but definitely spoiled with vacations.” Their absolute favorite destination is Disney, which they visit at least once a year, a tradition that started when Ella was only ten months old. If Ruby isn’t able to travel with them, she goes to Best Friends Furrever in Joppa, her favorite boarding facility.

Ruby joined the Smith family when she was around eight weeks old. She is “The Best Dog,” absolutely wonderful and very mild-mannered around people. But “around people” is the key. She always had separation anxiety and had a difficult time if her human family ever left her alone in the house. Then Covid hit, and she spent two full years with everyone at home all the time. Now, Ruby simply hates to be left alone. This sweet, gentle dog turns “psychotic,” Kelly says. She broke three teeth trying to get out of the house when left alone for short periods of time alone. So now, they go to restaurants that offer pet-friendly outdoor seating (including Liberatore’s locally and Michael’s in White Marsh). Neighbors watch Ruby sometimes when the family attends an event or runs errands, or sometimes they will take her to Best Friends.  Michael and Ruby can be found at the Lowe’s on Campbell Blvd, where the staff always has treats for Ruby.

The Smiths always advise their daughters to keep their heads up and be aware of the people around you. In one sense, it’s wise to know your surroundings to keep yourself safe. But at the same time, if you know your neighbors, you can always find a way to be kind. “Any kind deed, even a smile, can make someone’s day.”

If you see the Smith family (and friendly Ruby), say hello!