To know her is to love her. Perhaps this sentiment has never been truer than when it is applied to Kathryn Tucker Windham.

Though she was not born and raised in Selma, we as a city have laid claim on her much like we did with former Vice President William Rufus King, who was born in North Carolina. She has become part of the Selma scene since she moved here with her husband, Amasa.

On May 13, Windham was honored with the Alabama Living Legacy Award during the Celebration of the Arts ceremony in Montgomery.

The announcement of her award described Windham as “a published author and is considered to be Alabama’s premier storyteller.” But those who have seen her spin a tale in person know she is much, much more.

Windham transports listeners back to a time when things were innocent. She invites you into her family through stories that leave you gasping for breath between each laugh, but at the same time tells a great moral.

Windham truly exemplifies what every person should strive to be — caring, tasteful and warm.

Thomasville, her hometown, may try to nullify our claim on Windham, but it will be a long fight before Selma lets go of its storyteller.