The Chase Family
Shelby Price Photography
For the family of nine residing in the heart of Mount Pleasant, life is a vibrant blend of energy, laughter, and what they affectionately call, “a beautiful kind of busy”. With six children ranging from 18 years down to age three, along with a beloved grandmother, the household is rarely quiet, and they wouldn’t have it any other way. Their story is deeply rooted in the local community, where Ervin and Christina first met in 2011 after connecting on Match.com. Their first date took place at Buddy Roe’s (now Mainland Container), marking the beginning of a journey that led to a 2013 wedding at Alhambra Hall. Securing that venue was an adventure in itself, as the couple spent a few days camped out alongside thirty other hopeful couples to lock in their date—a memory they describe as a little crazy, a lot of fun, and definitely unforgettable.
While the Navy took them away for several years during Ervin’s deployment on a submarine, the call of the Lowcountry remained strong. Ervin, who enlisted right out of high school, spent his military career on submarines and served as an instructor at the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command in Charleston while on shore duty. During that time, Christina established her career as a morning show producer for Live 5 News (WCSC), her very first job out of college. After their time away serving the country, they returned to the lowcountry for good in the fall of 2018, certain that there was no better place to raise their growing family. Education is a cornerstone for the couple; Ervin earned his undergraduate degree through correspondence while serving and later obtained both a Master of Business Administration and a Master’s in Project Management from The Citadel. Christina is a proud alumna of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication with a focus in Electronic Communication.
Each member of the Chase family brings a special talent to the mix, from Ervin’s natural gift for fixing and understanding how things operate to Christina’s photographic memory for spelling and her skill at Scrabble. Today, Ervin is the owner of Aptus Home Services on Coleman Boulevard, a local commercial and residential mechanical company providing HVAC, electrical, and plumbing services. Christina manages their Airbnb cottage on the property, known as The Village Hideaway, while also serving as a stay-at-home super mom and assisting with administrative work for the family business.
The children each bring a unique spark to the family dynamic, starting with 18-year-old Logan, who lives in Florida and has begun a plumbing apprenticeship with the local union to learn commercial and industrial plumbing. Twelve-year-old Lucille, a student at Moultrie Middle School, is a competitive pianist, an excellent cook, and a resident mathematician who enjoys advanced math and honors classes. She takes classes at Young Chefs Academy, competes on the school Quiz Bowl team, and is involved in the middle school ministry at East Cooper Baptist Church. The creative energy continues with 11-year-old Charlotte, who possesses an engineer’s mind and is often found working with her 3D printer or crafting in her room. She shares Lucy’s love for competitive piano, stays active with volleyball and basketball, and has a natural nurturing side when caring for her younger sisters.
Nine-year-old Juliette marches to the beat of her own drum, expressing her joy through musical theatre—most recently as Hortensia in Matilda—as well as piano, singing, and building with Legos. She is carefree and loves Jesus deeply. The younger girls, four-year-old Sidney and three-year-old Abigail, are two peas in a pod. Sidney enjoys playing piano, reading with her mom, and planning outfits in her closet, often borrowing her mom’s curling iron or making skincare videos alongside her big sisters. Her current favorite movie is the new Lilo & Stitch. Abigail, the youngest, is always on the move, sneaking into her sisters' rooms to “borrow” toys and asking to visit the South Carolina Aquarium. She never turns down a chance to go out to dinner, with some of her favorites being Home Team BBQ, Kairos, and San Miguel, where she loves quesadillas and lemonade.
The home is made complete by Christina’s mother, Nana, who plays an essential role in their lives. Nana has lived with the family since 2018, following the passing of her husband, Christina’s dad, who was affectionately known as Pop Pop. Born and raised in New York, Nana has called the South home for more than two decades. She finds great joy in spending time with her grandchildren, getting to know the neighbors, reading the Bible, and listening to Christian podcasts. She is an avid lover of the outdoors and can frequently be found in the big cozy chair in her room with three-year-old Abigail on her lap; in fact, all of the grandbabies greatly enjoy snuggling with Nana.
The Chase family’s lifestyle is an active one, often centered around the unique offerings of the Old Village. Lucille and her sisters frequently ride their bikes after school to the Pitt Street Pharmacy or the Mount Pleasant Farmers Market, which they claim is the best spot for boiled peanuts and olives. As a large family, they love to support local restaurants like Grace & Grit for fresh seafood (praising their accommodation of food allergies), Home Team BBQ, Basil, San Miguel, Naan, Tokyo Bistro, and Kairos. When they aren't at school or work, they are likely outdoors, searching for crabs along the shoreline at Alhambra Hall or playing at the Hibben Methodist and Mount Pleasant Presbyterian parks. They are members of the Creekside Pool and Tennis Club and enjoy renting boats from the Daniel Island Yacht Club to head out to Morris Island in search of shark teeth.
Tradition is central to their household, from visiting the Festival of Lights every year to decorating a six-foot Christmas tree together so all the kids can be involved. The kitchen is always full during the holidays with many "cooks" making cookies and gingerbread houses. They also enjoy the community’s more adventurous traditions, such as biking to Sullivan’s Island to participate in the Dunleavy’s Pub Polar Plunge. Philanthropy is equally important to them; through Aptus Home Services, they sponsor events like SeeWee Spirit Week and donate resources to local schools and Mount Pleasant Presbyterian. They are proud sponsors of the Old Village Witches Ride and are actively involved with the East Cooper Faith Network’s “Fix It!” program, which provides essential home repairs for neighbors in need. Ervin also supports the Lowcountry Veterans Home and provides mechanical assistance to foster and adoptive families through East Cooper Baptist Church. For the Chase family, life is a beautiful journey of serving their community and cherishing every moment together.