The Leeming Family, on Southside Village’s Spring Creek Drive, can be summed up in 3 words: adventurous, social and grateful. JB (John Brewster III), Ali (Alexis), and kids, Remi and Auggie (August), share their beautiful home with K-9s (Leo and Lola) on the tucked away, tree-lined street. There they’ve made friends with great neighbors and enjoyed spending time with both sets of wonderful grandparents, who often stop by to watch the kids or lend a hand. Life keeps getting busier and busier, better and better! Traveling abroad, swimming in the pool out back, and hanging out on Southside Elementary’s playground are just a few of their favorite things. A balance between busy jobs, exciting excursions and quality family time makes it happen. Jam-packed days and early bedtimes are also secrets to success!

Ali, a University of Hawaii grad, works as a travel advisor in downtown Sarasota. JB, educated at the University of Central Florida, works in medical technology sales. Technically, the two go way back. Both were raised in Sarasota and returned after their early adult years spent elsewhere. Ali was born here, and JB moved to the area at age 8, from North Carolina. A couple of years apart, JB had played soccer with Ali’s younger brother many moons ago. Their families became acquainted back then.

2011 is the year their story really began. Ali had just returned from backpacking abroad in Europe, Asia, and ending with a year stay in Australia. A little bummed about coming back to the states, a dinner at Siesta’s “The Cottage” perked her up a bit one night. She happened to run into JB’s parents after all those years. His mom suggested setting the two up on a date, and Ali slipped her number on a bar napkin.

That evolved into a flirty 3-hour lunch at Pacific Rim, and Ali and JB left that first date feeling like there might be something more worth pursuing. They discovered shared interests in Asian food, unique music tastes, and surfing. At the time, Ali already had another quick stint planned in Stockholm, Sweeden. She hesitantly went through, although it ended up rather short-lived. While over there, the two arranged an impromptu meetup in London to watch JB’s brother perform in a world championship for rowing.

We’re all familiar with the critically acclaimed 90’s film, Forrest Gump. Hands down, one of my absolute all-time favorite movie scenes is the part when Forrest is returning from Vietnam and longing for his love, a traveling Hippie (who he also knew from childhood), to return home from whatever it is she’s doing and be with him. She’s standing there, just feet from him, ready to hop on a bus and leave again. With palpable frustration, he looks up, and his voice gets louder and louder and crescendos into a shout when he says, “You know what I think? I think you should go home to Greenbow, ALABAMA!!!”. Then he directs the best death stare to the man with whom she is leaving. He’s the same guy Forrest beats up in the movie. You probably know by now where this is going. I cannot help but laugh. Although there wasn’t another man to beat up, I think JB was otherwise in Forrest’s boat at that rowing championship. And just like Jenny, Ali decided right then and there that it would be in her best interest to turn around and come home to Sarasota, FLORIDA! That she did.

After several years of dating, they solidified the deal with a beautiful wedding held at the Field Club in 2016. Thereafter, they got busy planning their lives together. Their daughter Remi was born in 2018, and Auggie came along in 2021, around the time they purchased their current home.

When asked about their cute little kids, Ali described them as “extreme extroverts”. Apparently, Remi is quite the refined little lady. She enjoys diving into foreign foods and cultures and even sampling cuisine such as fish eyeballs and blood pudding without hesitation. Auggie wears the coolest haircuts, for starters. He has never met a stranger. He can be found rounding up kids at the airport (even if they don’t necessarily speak English) to play soccer during layovers or wandering over to see what his neighbors have going on.

“We are water people. We love pools, going on the boat, and taking the kids on the foam tops. Anything that involves just being in the water are our favorite activities - preferably somewhere foreign with very clear blue water. We have been fortunate to share some special travel experiences all over the world with family and friends who are like family. At just 7 years of age, Remi has already been to Europe several times, including France, Italy, Switzerland, England, Croatia, and most recently, Greece. Multiple domestic state vacations include a stay in Hawaii, where Ali went to college, skiing in Colorado, and long stays in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for summers. Our goal is to take a trip out of the country every year. The Mediterranean is a favorite location”, she said.

Ali and JB aim to set an example for the kids, proving the importance of giving back to others. Ali has spent time driving for Meals on Wheels and volunteering at animal adoption events, to name a few acts of service. “These days, most of our hours are spent helping out at the school when we are able. Our friends will tell you that we are the first people to call if they need help moving, patching a tire, or getting a ride. We love to be the house where folks know they’re always welcome. If people show up in the middle of the night because they just didn’t want to be alone, we’ll take them. If friends are unable to stay in their house for 3 weeks because of storm damage, we hope they come to us. None of us need ‘me time’, Ali said.

She also explained, “We are very social people. We actually thrive in the chaos of always having other people around. We hope to be the house where kids just show up after school without knocking, knowing they can have a snack, go on the trampoline, go for a swim, or take a rest. We will never be the ones to cancel plans. If we say we’re coming, you can bet we’re keeping that promise”.

They are also busy keeping the old and building new family and friend traditions. This means scones and tea with JB’s family during Wimbledon and full-blown 200+ person parties on New Year’s Day. It is all now centered around the kids nowadays. They introduce new traditions each and every year. One of the most recent is an annual princess tea party, as pictured in this feature, complete with silver candelabras and Butler service performed by the dads.

Kindness and Gratefulness are important family values. Ali provided a great perspective: “Being kind to everyone is not just for the other people, it’s for you. Focusing on what you have instead of what you don’t have is the key to feeling happy. There is not just one right way to live. We don’t take ourselves too seriously or sweat the small stuff. We realize that we are infinitely lucky to have each other and wake up safe each day. Our goal is to continue to laugh together and find ways to connect. We just want to spend as much time together as possible, growing as a family”.

The Leemings are big proponents of all that Southside Village has to offer, including its walkability to the school, Perq coffee shop, sidewalks filled with kids walking to school, surrounding favorite restaurants, businesses and friendly homes. They agree that we have the best neighborhood in town. They encourage anyone considering a move to the Southside area, “Do it! It’s great here”.

Extend a friendly hello to the Leeming family for me if you see them in the yard or at the store. Be sure to strike up a conversation with their hilariously entertaining little ones. And on JB’s behalf, thank Ali for coming back home and making their story possible!