Our Story

They say that good things come to those that wait. The road that brought us together was long and lonely at times, but this story has a happy ending. We had known of each other for a while before our paths finally crossed. In the end, it was the Indy Mini (half marathon) that brought Rob to Indy and a dinner with Laura and friends followed. We were both nervous, but hit it off over pinball and a fun evening hanging out. Time seemed to drag on between that weekend and a first real date - Laura planned the perfect evening out and Rob managed not to break all of the games that we played (sorry not sorry Connect 4).

That summer flew by, with a blur of baseball, long conversations and goodbyes that got harder and harder. In the end, Rob made the move to Indy and called Avon home. We have become an inseparable team, building a life filled with adventures, laughs, growing moments and challenges to tackle together.

We share a love of adventures and music - Dave Matthews and Taylor Swift are at the top of the playlists. Rob has kept on running, but now has something to run back home to.

In December, amidst the Christmas celebration and new traditions, we were engaged. It was a perfect moment with some of our closest friends…and even some tiny potatoes.

Our love of Disney shines through with a 6/26 wedding date and even the “Stichie” shoes to match the occasion.

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“Out of the corner of my eye, caught you walk by. I chase you down. Is it ok if I call you mine from here on out, as if I could ever stop.”

- “Here on Out” by Dave Matthews Band

About Laura…

I have never been one to back away from a challenge. From playing five sports in high school to basketball in college, it was all a part of the adventure. After college, I headed into the medical field and that is how I met Shandy - there is really no way to tell my story without telling his. We hit things off, were married and welcomed our son Eric into the world. In a heartbreaking turn we lost Shandy when his heart transplant was rejected. From that point on, it was me and Eric, an inseparable team. My heart wasn’t ready (or maybe was waiting) to let someone new in, but we still wanted to grow the family. So Landon came to join us and when we adopted him, Eric got the brother he had always wanted. I balanced it all: a blooming medical career, raising a family and finding joy in the moments that life presented. We even made room for one more under the roof as we took Isa in…a “temporary emergency” placement almost 2 years ago - she has controlled our hearts and the house ever since.

So, this was the happy, full life I was building. Plenty of activities, laughter and struggles. I wasn’t looking for a partner in all of this. Then there was Rob. You’ve read the story of how we met, but the adventure has been so much more than that. We have both learned how to trust and lean on someone again. For me, that culminated in a double knee replacement this spring that had been a long time coming. All it took was a partner that convinced me it was all going to be ok and I could do this hard thing. I look forward to really testing those things out on the dance floor at our reception.

The family still struggles, as all do, but we do it as a team. There is more laughter and joy than we ever thought would fill the rooms again. He believes in me when I struggle too and I have missed that feeling.

…and Rob!

Growing up, I was a nerdy kid that didn’t connect well with people. That path led me to things like physics and the robotics team. I spent my high school and college careers mentoring and volunteering with the FIRST robotics team. These efforts led to all kinds of adventures, including volunteering in Turkey, Mexico, Canada and all over the US. It also led to what I thought was a forever relationship, that ended with the struggles of a cancer diagnosis and her moving out despite all of these struggles. That was over 20 years and left me lost and broken. From that though, I started looking at myself for the first time. The work started and I built a better appreciation for me as well as the fact that what I want and need matters - this never did (and some ways still doesn’t) come naturally to me. I found a therapist and started a journey of running and mental health. I made friends and strengthened bonds along the way - I don’t make time for superficial relationships these days.

This is where Laura enters the picture. As I was starting to believe that I mattered and deserved someone that saw all of the good (and the broken) in me, we had a dinner together with friends. The thing I will never forget, I was getting ready to head back to Michigan from that weekend and Laura asked for my contact info. For someone that has felt invisible for a long time, that sparked more than I can probably ever articulate. I felt more alive in that moment and we hadn’t done more than hang out for one evening as friends.

Being a part of this team and family has changed everything. Work roles have shifted a bit with new challenges, and I have a new airport to travel out of, but also the end of the work day brings a reason to close the laptop and shift to family mode. I still run as much as I can, but I have a healthier view on why I am training and running. Travel trips for runs now mean that I am away from family, so it puts a different importance on them. I used to run to try to fill holes in my heart and life, now I run to honor the family that loves me and show them we can all do hard things. Having someone believe in me the way she does has changed everything.

I never imagined coming home to three kids and everything that comes with being a family. I am also still in awe every day of how Laura did all of this as a single parent. It turns out being a dad is pretty awesome and I just try to be the presence I wish I had.