Some love stories begin with a chance meeting. Alix Raspé and Erik Gray's began as the boy and girl next door on Church Street in Dorset.

"We always knew of each other and had crushes on each other for the longest time," Alix shares. "It was only at a Christmas party my parents held in Dorset that we could not deny the flame we had for each other."

That holiday gathering - the Raspé's beloved post-New Year's party for neighbors - changed everything. One of Alix’s favorite memories from that evening still makes her laugh. Asked by her father to pour Erik a glass of champagne, she unintentionally served it in a wineglass instead of a champagne coupe, hoping to appear unfazed.

The moment became such a treasured part of their story that Erik's brother later painted the mismatched glasses as an engagement gift.

Their unique love story even caught the attention of The New York Times, which aptly drew a comparison to “Pride and Prejudice” with their mothers respectively watching the sparks fly from across the room. For Alix and Erik, however, it’s simply part of what makes Dorset feel like home.

"What my husband and I cherish most about Dorset is the sense of belonging," Alix says. "From growing up in neighboring homes to building careers, raising a family, and maintaining lifelong friendships, Dorset has been woven into every chapter of our lives."

That connection was beautifully reflected in their wedding. In 2019, they were married by Erik's father, Rev. Dr. James Gray at The United Church of Dorset and East Rupert. There, the boy and girl next door became husband and wife. 

Professionally, both Alix and Erik have built careers centered on helping others. Alix, a 500-hour certified yoga instructor, has a career as an internationally recognized harpist and educator, teaching at Dartmouth College, Phillips Andover, Phillips Exeter, and Longy School of Music. She also serves as President of the American Harp Society's Boston Chapter.

Her love of music and of Dorset inspired the creation of the Dorset Harp Colony, which just completed its third summer session.

"The Colony House used to house artists, actors, and playwrights," Alix explains. "After my parents renovated it, I always dreamt of having musicians there."

That dream has grown into a 10-day international harp intensive, welcoming students from around the world for lessons, chamber music, and performances throughout Dorset and Manchester each summer. 

By the end of the festival, the students - some of whom are playing with other harpists for the first time - are very comfortable performing together. “Performing is like a muscle—you have to build it,” Alix says. 

"I view The Dorset Harp Colony as this partnership with the community while also training the next generation of harpists," she says. "Dorset just feels like the perfect place to do it."

Erik is a marriage and family therapist and founder of The Gray Area, a private practice serving clients throughout New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine.

Although Alix, Erik, and their 5-month-old daughter, Chloé, currently live in Hollis, New Hampshire, Dorset will always be home. 

Whenever the family returns to Dorset, they happily slip back into the rhythms of the town they know so well. They love grabbing breakfast at the Dorset Union Store, where their Australian Shepherds, Ollie and Indie, never leave without a bit of roast beef. Lunch at the Dorset Bakery, dinners at Barrows House or the Dorset Inn, and attending services at the Dorset Church all remain favorite traditions.

Now they're creating a new chapter of Dorset memories with Chloé.

"We were just there for the Fourth of July," Alix says. "I'm excited for her to pick out candy from the jars at the Dorset Union Store like I did growing up."

They are looking forward to teaching their daughter to ski at Bromley, swim at Emerald Lake, and experience one of Dorset's most cherished holiday traditions.

"The Dorset Church has such a beautiful Christmas service. At the end they sing 'Silent Night', and everyone walks out holding little candles. It's so special."

For Alix and Erik, Dorset is where their story started and where it continues. "We are grateful for the opportunity to stay connected to this remarkable community," Alix says, "and to introduce Chloé to the place where our story began."