I first met Ryan Bassett over a Zoom call after receiving a glowing recommendation from Vickie Meeuswen of Cruise & Travel Experts, whose wonderful "bucket list" travel articles you can enjoy each month in STROLL Spring Lake. Little did I know that Ryan's story would eventually lead me to his wife, Kim, thanks to another familiar name in our community, Dawn Gravelyn. If you're keeping score, Dawn and her family graced our cover in March 2024 and nominated the Bassetts for this family spotlight. Today, Dawn and her husband Marty are both Realtors with The Vis Realty Group, another one of our valued preferred business partners.

That's one of the things I love most about Spring Lake. Whether through school, sports, church, business, or neighborhood friendships, everyone seems connected in some meaningful way. STROLL Spring Lake has always been about celebrating those connections and helping neighbors get to know one another through positive stories that make community feel smaller in the best possible way!

For Kim and Ryan, family has always been at the center of everything. The couple has been married for 14 years after meeting through mutual friends in 2010.

"It's funny that we grew up so close to one another, Ryan from Grand Haven and me a native Laker, but never actually met until adulthood," Kim says. "Once we did, everything just seemed to click."

Ryan's proposal was equally memorable and included a little harmless deception.

"We were golfing at SLCC on hole #6 when Ryan claimed he'd forgotten a club at the halfway house," Kim recalls with a laugh. "I was a little annoyed at first. Then he got down on one knee on the sixth hole. Needless to say, I forgot all about the missing club."

The country club remains a special place for the couple, serving not only as the proposal site but also as the location of their wedding reception.

When asked what they admire most about one another, neither hesitates.

"Kim is one of the most loyal people I've ever known," Ryan says. "She has a huge heart, an incredible work ethic, and she's an amazing mom. She gives so much of herself to the people she loves."

Kim is equally complimentary of her husband.

"Ryan is deeply committed to both his family and his clients," she says. "I've never seen anyone work harder to help others. No matter how busy life gets, he always makes time for the people who matter most."

That dedication extends to their son, Oliver, who is heading into second grade and filling his summer with YMCA camp adventures, basketball, golf lessons, and plenty of outdoor fun.

From the beginning, Oliver has shown remarkable 

strength. Born three months premature, he spent nearly two months in the hospital before coming home.

"From the moment we met him, we knew he was a fighter," Ryan says. "Watching him grow stronger every day was one of the most incredible experiences of our lives."

Today, Oliver's creativity and curiosity keep his parents smiling. He loves STEM activities, figuring out how things work, and tackling new challenges. That can be learning golf or preparing for his next skiing adventure with Ryan.

"His smile can light up a room," Kim says. "He's funny, adaptable, and brings so much joy to everything he does."

Professionally, both Kim and Ryan have built successful careers doing what they love. Ryan, a graduate of Central Michigan University, has spent more than 26 years helping clients navigate financial, retirement, and estate planning through his independent advisory firm, Evolution Wealth Strategies. Kim, a Grand Valley State University graduate, discovered her passion for events while living in Chicago and Orlando, working for the iconic House of Blues before returning to Michigan. Today, she serves as a Lead Event Planner at Amway.

When they're not working, the Bassetts stay deeply connected to the community they love. They attend First Presbyterian Church, belong to Spring Lake Country Club, support numerous local organizations, and volunteer their time through the YMCA and PTO programs.

That precious time is spent biking through the neighborhood, spending summer days on the boat, golfing together, skiing in winter, or traveling to favorite destinations like Northern Michigan, Chicago, and Anna Maria Island.

And like many Michigan households, their home includes a little friendly sports rivalry.

"We're definitely a house divided," Ryan says. "I'm a Michigan fan, and Kim is all-in for Michigan State."

"At the moment, Oliver is firmly on Team Spartan," Kim adds. "But we're giving him time to make his final decision."

Having spent nearly 15 years in Grand Rapids, the Bassetts eventually found themselves drawn back to the lakeshore communities where they grew up.

"We wanted Oliver to grow up surrounded by family, friends, and the community that shaped us," Kim says. "Being close to the water again feels like coming home."