No matter how many individuals appear in the pages of each edition of Keys Weekly, there are always so many more of our community members who deserve to be recognized. In an effort to shine a spotlight on more of the incredible individuals who live and work in these islands, Keys Weekly is proud to present our Neighbor of the Week feature, dedicated to celebrating a community member with each issue.
Our neighbor of the week is Brennan Bye. Brennan’s roots in the Keys run incredibly deep. Though she was born in Key West and raised right here in Marathon, she spent 15 years exploring the mainland, living in Panama City Beach for five years and Billings, Montana for a decade. However, the pull of home was too strong to resist, and she’s been back in Marathon for nearly eight years now, working as a server at Florida Keys Steak and Lobster House.
The Bye family legacy in the area is nearly a century in the making. Brennan’s first local ancestor, William A. Parish, moved here in 1927. With generations of history following in those footsteps, the family has been an integral part of the community for almost 100 years.
BRENNAN BYE
Steak and Lobster House
What is your favorite thing about living in the Keys? My favorite thing about the Keys would definitely be the ocean because it soothes my soul. I’m a water girl through and through.
What’s a local business you couldn’t live without? Definitely the Florida Keys Steak and Lobster House.
What is your greatest fear? Losing a very close family member.
Which living person do you most admire? To be honest, I don’t admire anyone, but I have lots of love for people that I’m very close with.
What is your favorite book, movie, or TV show right now? “Yellowstone” was my favorite show. Currently I’m watching “Landman.”
What is your greatest extravagance? Material things are great to have, but if I had to choose something, it would be to travel the world. Making memories with loved ones are more sentimental to me.
What’s a talent you wish you had? I wish I had my father’s musical talent (Freddie Bye). He’s my favorite guitar player of all time. He’s bad to the bone.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be and why? I wish I had more discipline and less fear when it comes to making decisions that would benefit my life for the future.
What is your most marked characteristic? I am a people person. I like for people to feel seen, heard and comfortable when I speak with them. I read the room and match the energy and I turn small moments into real connections.
Who is one of your real-life heroes? My mother and my father are my heroes. I would choose them to be my parents again and again in any lifetime.
What is your idea of perfect happiness? My perfect happiness is spending precious time with my son. He’s almost 20 years old now. Where has the time gone?
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? I would be a Clydesdale horse or any horse. They are beautiful, strong and courageous.
What’s a habit you’d love to break? Overthinking and negative self-talk would be some habits that need to go.
What do you most value in your friends? I value my friends’ loyalty, kindness, consistency and of course, good humor. I love a good laugh.
What’s a simple pleasure that brings you joy? Something as simple as quiet moments with God.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? “Take care of yourself, because today is the youngest that you will ever be.” – my father, Freddie Bye.
What’s a secret about you that people might be surprised to learn? My great-great-grandfather William A. Parrish was known as the “Grandfather of Marathon” and he was the first person to drive a car over the Old Seven Mile Bridge.
What are your favorite & least favorite smells? My favorite smell is a plumeria flower and my least favorite smell is gasoline.
What was in the last Amazon package that arrived? A small space heater. $70 later, it doesn’t even work.
What’s one of your all-time favorite movie quotes? “It’s not our abilities that show us who we truly are. It’s our choices.” – Albus Dumbledore.
Know someone who would be a good “Neighbor of the Week?”
Email keysweeklyjen@gmail.com.
