Rumor has it you were in Bluffton recently. Did you get to take a plane ride with your brother, Kevin?
Yes, I did actually! Kevin took my mom and me up for an hour flight around Bluffton and Lima. It was smooth and we even did a touch and go in Lima. We flew over the Lima Prison, the Mall, the Allen County Fair, the reservoir and Suter's corn maze. It was so fun!
How has the town changed since your childhood days? What do you miss?
Well, the town sure has changed since I've been home last, let alone since my childhood. Most recently new curbs, town hall renovations, and to my surprise, one less stop light. Since my childhood, new middle school, BFR, Bluffton Community Swimming Pool, Dollar General, Movie Gallery, high school football stadium and soccer stadium. Even the Village Park is much different than I remember from my Girl Scouting years!
I miss all of the Bluffton traditions. Pirate sporting events, The Blaze of Lights (well maybe not the cold temps), fishing derby, Main Street craft show, Dari Freeze, even the Veterans pancake breakfast. Of course I miss my family and friends, the friendly "Hellos" you often hear around town.
When did you graduate from BHS?
Class of 1999!
Share some stories of growing up...school, friends, jobs, summers, etc.
I believe I was in the first grade when our house out on Lugabill Rd was robbed. My dad actually came home for lunch and surprised the burglars! They shot at him through the front window, and the bullet grazed his jacket! I have a very clear memory of him running down the road stopping us from returning home. To go back to the Setzer's where it was safe. Later in life, I learned that they were three men from Lima. One killed himself in the field on the right, one was caught and my dad had to testify in court, and one got away. I have no real effects from those memories, but to this day, my sister wakes her fianc'e because of a beeping computer that she thinks is a burglar, and has called 911 to surprise my mom in the kitchen with guns drawn!
Growing up in Bluffton was great. Especially on Beaver St. We had a clubhouse back when Dave Sargent and the Powell boys were around. We played countless hours of kick the can and capture the flag on that street with the Benroth's, Kaydrie (Johnson) Rayle, the Raabe boys, and the Bryans. Those are long cherished memories.
In high school, I was in band. Was a cheerleader, and in choir. I danced until my senior year, and then was a foreign exchange student in Spain for the summer.
I worked at the Bluffton Community Swimming pool for three summers and the Dari Freeze a few too.
What is the worst or dumbest thing you can admit to having done during your school years? Did you get any detentions -- middle school maybe?
I admit! The ONLY time i ever got a detention was in the 7th grade, by Mrs. Wannamacher. She caught me copying Everett Wherly's spelling book in study hall. I was so ashamed, and never did it again.
What car did you take your driver's test in?
Ah, my 1992 Ford Bronco II.
Give me a rundown on your various post-high school studies. How did you settle on massage therapy?
Well let's see. I began the fall of 1999 at BGSU. Hated it. Moved to Lima to attend the University of Northwestern Ohio. Achieved an associate's degree in Travel Management. Went back to BGSU to major in Spanish. While there I worked for a Chiropractor in Toledo whose girlfriend was a massage therapist. Was more interested in the "therapy" aspect than translating Spanish. Left BGSU, yes again, and achieved my Certification in Massage Therapy at The Academy of Masso-Therapy in Maumee. Was licensed by the Ohio Board in 2006. Last year, I was nationally certified.
Where did you meet your husband? Where does he work?
Justin and I met at The University of Northwestern Ohio. We were friends for two years through school and fell hard after graduation. He majored in Information Systems Management and is now on the dean's list at Hodges University in Naples where he is getting his BA in Computer Science with a focus in Networking and Securities. Whew! He also works full time at a company called Softrim, Inc., in Estero where he is a Network Engineer. Thank goodness one of us is a smarty.
How did you end up in Florida? Do you like Bonita Springs? Do you spend a lot of time on the water?
My grandparents have owned a condo on Vanderbilt Beach, in Naples since 1967. Growing up, my family spent a lot of time down here. Justin and I decided to move a year into my massage practice. We were both pretty stir crazy and knew we were headed toward warmer weather. We absolutely love it down here! We do spend a lot of time on the water actually. Our friends are so wonderful to us and share their boating days with us. And another friend shares his boating nights too! We hit the beach when family/ friends come down and on New Year's Eve at sunset. Our favorite dive is Doc's Beach House on Bonita Beach.
Tell me more about your job. Where do you work? What types of massage do you specialize in? Do you have a favorite?
I work for Elements Therapeutic Massage in Naples. I usually see those clients in need of deep tissue work, or have injuries. I specialize in Trigger Point and Positional Release Therapy, and would prefer these over Swedish massages. I am also Prenatal, Reflexology, and Hot-Stone trained. I love my job, co-workers, and employers. They're the best!
Any pets?
We have a Chinese Shar-Pei named Moxy and two Seal Point Siamese, Bachetta (a Spanish techno club) and Taiko (meaning love in Thai) :)
I love the story of your wedding dress. Are you willing to tell that story? Was it a small wedding?
Well, my wedding dress was my junior and senior prom dress at BHS! (This was before my sister started La Bella Laccio, her bridal boutique in Westerville.) When thinking of a wedding dress, my mom pulled out my old prom dress from the closet and shipped it down to me. It was in mint condition, and just as beautiful as I had remembered it to be. I thought it was only right to give it the honor and memory of marrying Justin in it. After all, he had never seen me in it! I changed it a bit, cutting off the bottom and adding a row of pearls. I didn't have to let it out an inch! We had a small wedding on Fort Myers Beach. Sixty in all. We rented a villa and all of our close friends came down and stayed for a week. It was lovely.
Are you excited to have your brother closer to you now that he's going to college in Florida? Do your parents get down there to see you frequently?
We are so proud and so excited for Kevin! Yes, I couldn't be happier that he's only four hours away! Looking forward to spending more time with him more frequently. Yes, my parents come down a lot. We'll see them in October for Kev's first break. We have a lot of fun down here.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Maybe here, maybe not. Wherever we are, whatever we're doing. Whether we have children or not. I would like to be happy.
