When we moved to Stony Creek Ridge North more than 23 years ago, we were simply looking for a great place to raise a family. What we found instead was a true community—one that has shaped our lives in ways we never could have imagined. Today, after 32 years of marriage and both of our children grown, we are proud empty nesters who remain deeply connected to the neighborhood that helped raise our family.

We’re Todd and Betsy Allen, both 57, and family has always been at the center of everything we do. Our son Jack is 29, and our daughter Savannah is 26. In September 2024, we experienced a full-circle parenting moment when Jack married his Hart Middle School sweetheart, Courtney Solek. Watching their relationship bloom was incredibly meaningful. Savannah currently lives in Flower Mound, Texas, but Rochester will always be home, and she visits as often as she can. She isn’t married yet, but her heart is happily spoken for.

We originally lived in Clarkston and are both graduates of Lake Orion High School, though our paths didn’t truly cross back then. Years later, a chance meeting at The River Rock bar in downtown Detroit changed everything. That encounter grew into a relationship that soon took us on an adventure when Todd’s job transferred him to Tennessee. It was there, during a morning hike in the Smoky Mountains, that Todd proposed—an unforgettable start to a life defined by shared experiences.

We chose Rochester to be closer to family and friends and to shorten Todd’s commute. What we found was exactly what we hoped for: a safe, family-friendly neighborhood where our kids could ride bikes, celebrate Halloween, and grow up surrounded by neighbors who looked out for one another. Many of our closest friendships today began right here in Stony Creek Ridge North.

Education has always been a shared value in our family. Todd earned his bachelor’s degree in Robotics from ITT Technical Institute, and I graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Merchandising Management and Fashion Design. Carrying on the Spartan tradition, Jack, Savannah, and Courtney are all proud MSU graduates.

After long careers in the software and manufacturing industries, we’ve both embraced being entrepreneurs. Todd is now a self-published children’s book author, writing stories that introduce young readers to electricity and cars, with the goal of sparking early interest in STEM.  I started my own company as a Leadership and Communication Coach, helping individuals and teams build confidence, clarity, and stronger connections.

While we lost our two beloved dogs a few years ago, we’ve happily stepped into our roles as “grand-dog” parents. Georgia, a golden doodle, belongs to Jack and Courtney, an ode to their time living in Georgia.  Opry, a Bernedoodle, belongs to Savannah and is a nod to her time living in Nashville.

Our family shares a love of travel and adventure. Together, we’ve explored Switzerland and Iceland and have plans to visit U.S. national parks near Bryce Canyon and travel to Slovenia. Todd is also a devoted car enthusiast who proudly considers the Woodward Dream Cruise a national holiday, while my passions include travel, fitness, and fashion—including a memorable experience designing a dress worn by an actress attending the Emmy Awards.

Savannah’s post-college journey took her to Nashville and then Dallas, where she enjoys pickleball, soccer leagues, and following Formula 1 racing—attending races in Montreal and Austin. Jack and Courtney spent several years in Buckhead, Georgia, before returning to Michigan and settling in Auburn Hills. Jack works at OneStream Software, coaches’ boys’ basketball at Oakland Christian, and stays active in multiple sports leagues. Courtney is the creative force behind A Paige of Positivity, a thriving food and lifestyle brand that has led to speaking panels, farm visits, and trend-focused collaborations.

Holidays for us are less about dates on a calendar and more about being together whenever possible. With family spread across Michigan, Tennessee, and Kentucky, we’ve learned to celebrate flexibly. Locally, we enjoy Rochester favorites like Kabin Kruser’s, La Collina, The Meeting House, Ernie’s on the Creek, Park 600, and breakfast spots like Paul’s, George’s, and Dime Store. We also love walking Rochester Park and Stony Creek Metropark and strolling downtown in warmer months, embracing what we call our “inner European.”

Though we’re less involved in formal neighborhood events than when our kids were young, we stay connected through wine nights, pickleball games, firepit gatherings, and downtown traditions like Lagniappe, the Kris Kringle Market, and the Fire & Ice Festival. Over the years, we’ve volunteered in many ways, but we believe community is built through everyday acts.

When asked what we love most about living in Stony Creek Ridge North, the answer is simple: the people!  With long-time neighbors on both sides of our home and friendships that span decades, moving here remains one of the best decisions we’ve ever made—and one we’d happily make again.