Sometimes, the place you are meant to call home finds you when you least expect it.

For Lt. Toby Vicknair, it started with a quick stop on the way to Natural Bridge Caverns.

“We were just passing through with our kids,” he says. “Our son needed to use the restroom, and that’s kind of the joke. If not for that stop, we may have never ended up here.”

But they did, and eventually, they stayed.

Today, Lt. Vicknair serves as a leader in the Boerne fire department and is deeply rooted in the Kendall County community. Ask him what makes this area special, and his answer is simple. The people.

“There’s just a different level of care here,” he says. “How people treat each other stands out.”

It is also what he hopes never changes.

“No matter how much we grow, if people continue to treat each other well, Boerne will always be Boerne.”

For new homeowners, Toby describes a lifestyle that is intentionally different.

“This is still a small town,” he explains. “It moves at a slower pace, and that’s a good thing.” While San Antonio is nearby for a faster pace, Kendall County offers something more meaningful. Connection, familiarity, and a true sense of belonging.

Through his role in the fire department, Toby sees that connection play out every day.

“It’s not one big thing. It’s a lot of little things,” he says. “People bringing food by the station, stopping in to say thank you, asking how they can help. That’s the heartbeat of this community.”

That same spirit comes to life each year at the Flag Run 5K in Boerne on July 4th, a community event that has become a local tradition. While many associate the race with Toby, it was actually started by his son, Camden Vicknair.

“He told me we should turn our runs with the flag into a race, and I told him he should do it,” Toby says. “And he did.”

What began as a simple idea has grown into a meaningful annual event that brings the community together in a powerful way. Centered around promoting patriotism through fitness, the Flag Run draws participants of all ages. Some are chasing personal goals, others are showing their love for country, and many simply want to be part of something bigger.

Each year, the event also gives back by supporting local causes and the fire department, making the impact even more personal.

For homeowners, Toby emphasizes a few simple safety essentials. Maintain working smoke detectors, create a home escape plan, and establish a family meeting point outside.

“These are small things,” he says, “but they matter.”

As Kendall County continues to grow, Toby is confident in its future, but his advice for newcomers remains simple.

“Plug in. Volunteer, attend local events, and show up.”

Because in Kendall County, community is not just something you live in. It is something you become part of.