It was a sunny afternoon when Bob and Dana welcomed us into their home. The couple gave us a brief tour of their recent renovations, showcasing the transformations they had undertaken over the past year. Their enthusiasm for home improvement was evident, and when we inquired about the contractor responsible for such impressive work, Dana, with a gleam in her eye, simply replied, "Oh, it's me. I've done it before." The work just became more impressive! 

The story of Bob and Dana is one that intertwines fate, family, and a shared history that spans decades and continents. Dana, as a young girl, spent her childhood growing up at her home on Bass Lake in the western suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Around the time Dana was six years old, and Bob, a spirited ten-year-old boy, they had their first encounter while Bob was visiting his Uncle and Aunt, who happened to live three houses away from Dana on Bass Lake. It was through these family connections that their paths first crossed at a very young age. As it turns out, Dana’s parents were good friends with Bob's Aunt and Uncle, and his grandparents, who also lived just several houses away. Dana and Bob don’t remember seeing each other after that childhood day; however, their families exchanged Christmas cards, and over many years, that would maintain a bond that would one day bring them together. 

Over 20 years after their childhood encounter, Bob's cousin suggested setting him up with Dana. Bob's response was playful and reminiscent, "Yeah, I remember all the Christmas cards!" That initial spark led to a whirlwind romance, and they were married just one year and one week after their first date. Their love story, however, was just beginning. 

Shortly after their first anniversary, Bob's job relocated them to Mexico City. It was here that three of their four children were born, Elena, Viviana, and Leyton. The family embraced the vibrant culture, and after five years, they had mastered the Spanish language. Their next adventure took them to China for three years where their youngest child, Sam, was born. Along with their children, Dana, always eager to immerse herself fully, mastered the Chinese language during their stay.  Needing to buy groceries helped with learning to read the language which led Dana to familiarizing herself with a “quick lesson” in Pinyin, English translation of the Chinese characters.   

Their journey continued to Singapore where they lived for two years. In a short time, they made numerous friends from all around the world. "With 1.5 million ex-pats living on an island… everyone is from somewhere else," Bob shared. The family cherished their time in Singapore, often vacationing to exotic locations, all typically just an hour and a half away by air. It's easy to see why Singapore ranks high on their list of favorite places to call home, aside from Stonebriar Village, of course. 

Upon returning to the United States, they lived in Miami for a year before moving back to Minnesota. They spent eight years there before finally settling in Stonebriar Village in 2023. Their journey was driven by a combination of professional opportunities and a shared love for exploration and new experiences. 

Dana's academic trajectory took her from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN where she played on the golf team, to UCLA, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science. Driven by a passion for understanding the world, she studied abroad in Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, and Israel to immerse herself in the political landscapes firsthand. After graduation, Dana’s career as a furniture manufacturer representative took her around the globe, further fueling her love for travel and cultural immersion.  

Bob graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in International Economics, and he completed an MBA with St. Thomas University in St. Paul, MN. Before moving to Texas, he spent close to 30 years in the agricultural commodity industry, becoming a trader and significant ingredient supplier to a wide variety of food manufacturing companies. His expertise spans trading, strategy, management, and investment banking. It was a new position with a different company that brought the Days to Texas, where Bob humorously explained , "We make interesting things out of dead animal parts" and added how this opportunity was a natural fit. The conversation from there proved to be as entertaining as it was educational. Dana added that when someone asks what her husband does, she tells them, “He turns animal fat into diesel fuel!”  

Aside from their shared love for travel and exploration, Bob and Dana have other interests that keep them active and engaged. Bob, an avid Nordic skier, trained for the American Birkebeiner 2025, a 31 mile Nordic Race between Hayward and Cable, Wisconsin. Training right here in Stonebriar Village, he traversed the curvilinear streets on his roller skis—essentially skis on wheels (which, by the way, have NO brakes!) — complete with six-foot poles in each hand. While native Texans shiver when the temperature drops below 45 degrees, you may have seen Bob making a quick run during the wee hours of a brisk morning, hitting the ‘slopes’ of Stonebriar Village. Also, as part of his training regimen, three or four times a week he includes an up-to-the-neck, three-minute pool plunge when the water is  60° and lower. 

Dana is described by Bob as "intellectually curious," biblically astute, keen on world perspectives, and having a knack for fact-checking—all while being incredibly creative. Always busy, she has somewhat of a craft room (think remodel requiring temporary room reassignments) where her sewing skills truly shine, necessitating multiple sewing machines. Dana, born on Halloween, always goes all out for her birthday with costumes she meticulously sews and designs for herself and Bob. Each year, she unveils a new or cleverly repurposed masterpiece. In past years, they've had fun with the unexpected arrival of the Little Mermaid and Sebastian the Crab—Bob hilariously sported the Little Mermaid costume while Dana rocked the crab! Bob also boasts about the drapes Dana has crafted for their various homes over the years. By the way, they've now been married for 22 years and their home in Stonebriar is their 16th! YES! They've lived in 16 homes. While they cherish aspects of each home, they share that nothing compares to Stonebriar Village as a neighborhood. They feel this is their forever home! That is, unless they take part in the “Stonebriar Shuffle!” Upon hearing the term, they exchanged a knowing side-eyed glance and gave simultaneous, yet opposite responses; one contemplating the possibility, the other with a strong, wide-eyed, one-word, NO! And then, with a shrug of one’s shoulders, they both smiled.  

Their children, with the two oldest now in college, have grown up in diverse environments, developing a unique perspective on the world. The family’s adventures and the languages they mastered are a testament to their resilience and adaptability. As they settled into Stonebriar Village, they brought with them a wealth of experiences and a deep appreciation for the communities of which they had been a part. 

Bob and Dana’s home in Stonebriar Village is more than just a house; it’s a reflection of the many places they’ve called home. As they continue to remodel and improve their home, they carry with them the stories and memories of their travels, creating a space that is uniquely theirs. The story of Bob and Dana is one of love, adventure, and an unwavering commitment to each other. Their journey from Bass Lake to Stonebriar Village is a testament to the power of family, the importance of embracing new experiences, and the joy of creating a home wherever life may take you.