For Andrew and Aliza Gallagher, Cohasset isn’t just where they live — it’s where they’re building both their family and their future. 

The couple, who grew up together in Norwell, have called Cohasset home for about a year and a half, but their connection to the town began long before they unpacked their boxes.

“We started building homes here through our company, A Gallagher Building Company,” says Andrew. “The more time we spent working in Cohasset, the more we fell in love with it — the people, the scenery, the sense of community. Eventually, we decided it was where we wanted to raise our family.”

Andrew and Aliza are parents to three young children: Merril, 4; Emmet, 2; and baby Darci, just 5 months old. Life with three little ones is busy, but the Gallaghers wouldn’t have it any other way. “Our house is always moving — someone’s building, drawing, or singing,” Aliza laughs. “We try to balance the chaos with creativity and connection.”

Andrew and Aliza’s story began back in high school, where they first met and quickly became inseparable. After graduation, their paths took them to different colleges — Andrew to Salve Regina University, where he earned a degree in Business, and Aliza to the College of the Holy Cross, where she studied Visual Art History. 

Still, they remained connected through shared values, a love of home design, and a strong work ethic that would later define their life together.

Today, the couple works side by side: Andrew as the head of A Gallagher Building Company and Aliza as a Coldwell Banker real estate agent (See Spotlight article)

Their professional worlds often overlap — a natural blend of construction, design, and real estate — and while working together can have its challenges, they find it deeply rewarding.

“We both love what we do,” says Aliza. “It’s meaningful to help people find or create homes they love. We also understand the demands of each other’s work, which makes us a great team.”

Their three children bring endless joy — and entertainment — to the household.

Merril, the oldest, is described as a natural leader who “runs the show” with confidence and curiosity. He’s fascinated by model trains, a passion he shares with his granpop, who has taught him all about Lionel and HO trains. Merril also loves to swim and explore local trails, finding adventure in every corner of Cohasset.

Emmet, at two years old, is gentle and easygoing but never afraid to voice his opinions. He loves music, story time at the library, and keeping up with his big brother. “The boys are best friends,” says Andrew. “They balance each other perfectly.”

Then there’s Darci — the baby of the family, whose sunny personality is already shining through. “Darci never stops smiling,” says Aliza. “She’s content to watch her brothers play and just lights up any room she’s in.”

For the Gallaghers, one of the best parts of life in Cohasset has been the community spirit that surrounds them. They enjoy attending South Shore Community Center events, exploring the town’s shops and eateries, and getting to know their neighbors.

“The sense of community here is amazing,” Aliza says. “It feels like a small town in all the best ways — people know each other, support each other, and show up. There’s something really special about that.”

One of Aliza’s favorite family memories in Cohasset took place on the Common during a perfect fall afternoon. “It was one of those crisp, sunny days at the Farmer’s Market,” she recalls. “The karate students were spilling out of the community center, kids were dancing to live music, and Merril was completely captivated by the petting zoo. I remember looking around and thinking, this is exactly the kind of place we want our children to grow up in. It felt wholesome and welcoming — like home.”

That moment captures exactly what the Gallaghers love most about Cohasset: the blend of community, creativity, and simple pleasures that make daily life feel special.

While their work keeps them busy, Andrew and Aliza are most focused on creating a happy, grounded environment for their kids. “We value hard work, but also thoughtfulness and fun,” says Aliza. “We try to teach our kids to appreciate where they are and who they’re with — whether that’s at the dinner table, on a walk, or building something together in the backyard.”

“We love living here,” says Aliza. “It’s where we work, play, and build for families who value the same sense of community we do.”