New Year, New Life

Here I am a lifelong Midwestern girl from the US beginning a new decade in the UK. What brought me here you ask: My husband Ryan's, job working for the US Department of Defense.

Let's back up a little to see how the Herman family came about. Ryan (sometimes referred to as Ken or Kenny) and Lauren participated in the band program at Granite City High School in Southwest Illinois where both were born and raised. Autumn of the year 2000 brought with it a marching band program which required much practice and long bus rides for performances and competitions. On one such bus ride, Ryan sat by Lauren and a mutual friend of the two inquiring about the Orthodox Church. Ryan and Lauren talked extensively and at the close of the trip he gave her his phone number. A friendship formed which quickly turned into a young relationship. Ryan and Lauren dated for most of their high school and college careers. Then in the fall of 2006 Ryan took Lauren out for a romantic dinner at the Top Of the River Restaurant in downtown St. Louis followed by a walk through Forest Park where he asked for her hand in marriage. The following year brought great changes and new adventures for the couple. Ryan graduated from McKendree College in May 2006 and began an internship which would turn into a career with a government agency based in St. Louis. They were married and purchased their first home in their hometown of Granite City. They also welcomed their first baby girl, Alexandria Diane, into the world. Over the next couple of years Ryan advanced quickly at work receiving numerous promotions and awards. He signed up for 4 months in Baghdad, Iraq from February through June 2009. Those 4 months were a long wait for Lauren and Lexie back home. Thankfully they had a wonderful support system of family and friends as well as Lauren's continuing education to keep them occupied as well. Lauren graduated from the University of Missouri- St. Louis with a degree in Early Childhood Education during this time. Upon Ryan's return home, more news and adventures awaited. A second child was conceived (a girl to be due in March 2010) and the young family learned of a move to England. The position is for 3 years at RAF Molesworth and Ryan was wanted as soon as possible. He left for the United Kingdom in November, leaving Lauren, Lexie, and their unborn child to stay with family through the holidays. Ryan worked hard during his time away, beginning a new position and finding the family a home in the village of Somersham located 75 miles north of London in Cambridgeshire. Ryan returned to the states for Christmas. The family said their goodbyes to family and friends, and on 30 December 2009 left for the United Kingdom to begin the new year with a new chapter in their lives.

Here lie the stories of the move, adapting to a new culture, a growing toddler, a new addition to the family, and all of the adventures to come. We look forward to sharing this time in our lives with our family and friends.