For Ronni Hutchinson, life has been a tale of two worlds.
Raised in Northern California just 20 minutes south of the fast-paced Silicon Valley, Hutchinson now calls the quiet, tightknit community of Vian home. It’s a transition she never imagined but one that has brought deep family connection, new opportunities and a sense of purpose.
“I moved here 10 years ago this July,” Hutchinson shared with a warm smile. “I met my awesome husband, who’s from here, and he’s really helped show me the ropes. Oklahoma has so many great things to offer.”
Though she visited Sequoyah County often as a child, carefree summers spent laughing with cousins, returning as an adult with three children in tow was a different story.
“Yes, it was a culture shock!” she laughed. “It’s one thing to come here on vacation, and another to build a life. But I was ready to pave a way for my kids and myself.”
Since arriving in Oklahoma, Hutchinson has embraced the slower pace, affordability and close-knit feel of smalltown life. She is now closer than ever to her extended family on her father’s side, something she cherishes deeply.
Her household is a lively one. She arrived in Oklahoma with two teenagers and a young son and welcomed her fourth child, a baby girl, just six months after relocating. She also gained a bonus son through marriage, creating a blended family full of energy and love, including two teenage boys just six weeks apart.
“My greatest joy in life is being a mom,” she said. “There’s nothing like attending their sports games, concerts and all their activities.”
A self-described lifelong worker, Hutchinson has been employed since she was 14. She currently works at Vian Pharmacy, bringing nearly two decades of experience in the pharmacy industry. In addition, she works and helps out at the Rustic Cantina, a local favorite, where she enjoys serving the community and seeing people have a good time.
“I love the vibe at the Cantina,” she said. “Good food, good company – it’s something special.”
Before her pharmacy career, Hutchinson worked in property management and, interestingly, started her working life at Subway, a tradition she passed on to her two adult children, who also had their first jobs there.
A woman of many interests, Hutchinson played softball, volleyball and violin in her youth. In adulthood, she even joined a roller derby team, a passion she describes as exhilarating.
When she’s not working or cheering from the sidelines, Hutchinson enjoys traveling, camping and creating new experiences for her children, making memories in a place that once felt unfamiliar, but now feels like home.
“I’m grateful for the friends I’ve made and the opportunities that came with relocating across the country,” she reflected. “It’s been a journey, but one filled with love and growth.”
