We met serving at a homeless shelter while in college at Anderson University. Each time we volunteered, we would make up excuses to stay later than other volunteers so we could spend time getting to know each other. After a few months, we started dating and four years later we got married. Our relationship is fun, loving, goofy, committed, and respectful. We both feel extremely lucky to have each other.
Alyssa on Raleigh
I cannot imagine parenting and doing life with anyone other than Raleigh. Raleigh helps keep me grounded and our relationship balanced. Raleigh has challenged me to grow and pushed me to be a better person. Anyone who knows Raleigh best knows he is consistently pursuing to understand himself/others, always choses honesty, fiercely protective of his family, is the greatest at explaining board games, and above all else he is the best dad to Charly.
Watching Raleigh as a dad to Charly is nothing short of incredible. Charly and Raleigh can be found hunting “monsters'' in our basement, eating popsicles, listening and dancing to music, or playing pretend with various toys. No matter life’s challenging situations or long work days, Raleigh does not show any change in patience or involvement with Charly. I know Raleigh will be the best dad to our next child as it is so evident with how he loves Charly.
Raleigh on Alyssa
Alyssa is first and foremost a nurturer. She has always concerned herself with the needs of others over herself. It comes through very strongly in her line of work as a social worker. But even outside of work, she just has to make people feel comforted. She likes to see the best in people and in situations. But just because she is a nurturer, that doesn’t mean she can’t also be strong willed. She has a strong sense of justice, and if you were to wrong someone that she loves she is not afraid to take action and protect her own. She is headstrong and it makes her a great leader. I have never met someone with the mix of a personality that she has. She is both a lover and a fighter, nurturer and justice seeker, willing volunteer and strong willed leader.
Now I know all husbands say this about their wives, but I truly believe that Alyssa is the best mother around. Every time I see her interacting with Charly, I can’t help but think that is what the universe had planned for her. I have seen her laugh with Charly and nieces/nephews in the good times, and cry with them and support them in the bad times. She also comes from an amazing family that is so ready to welcome another little one into the mix!
Charly
Charly is 3 years old and every bit of a 3 year old: curious, stubborn, independent, loving, happy, silly. Charly loves spending time outside, dancing, singing, reading books, playing pretend, being with her cousins, and watching her favorite Disney movies. Charly is becoming interested in babies and will often be the first to point them out when we are in public. We anticipate Charly to have a “nobody messes with my brother/sister but me” attitude.
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