4 minute read
The McAleers: Persist on the Positive
Family Feature by Craig Whitney
Photos by Shannon Lynn Photography www.ShannonLynnPhotography.com
Michael and Christine McAleer first met in 1996, on a week-long beach vacation in Avalon, New Jersey. Mike, a college student, was staying there with some friends. Christine was staying with her friends, in a different part of Avalon. One of Christine’s friends heard about a party Michael and his friends were planning for the upcoming weekend. Whether coincidence or fate, Michael and Christine connected at that party and immediately hit it off. Shoulder to shoulder with people all around them in that beach house, they both felt like no one else was in the room.
When they met, Christine was working as a Bank Teller after having attended a New Jersey community college. Michael was at Penn State, majoring in Business Communications but also interested in Finance. They wanted to start dating but made the mature decision to wait while Michael focused on his major and Christine focused on her budding banking career. They reconnected when Michael graduated and returned to the Philly area.
Michael and Christine McAleer
Photo by Shannon Lynn Photography www.ShannonLynnPhotography.com
Even though Michael and Christine were both so at home on the East coast, they were ready for adventure. They headed West, with a full tank of gas and half a plan. Each day, the sun rose against their backs and the sun set ahead of them. They visited all the places they’d ever dreamed of visiting: Nashville (one of Christine’s favorites), New Orleans, Austin, Mexico, and Phoenix. The trip was warm, beautiful, scenic and refreshingly new. Three weeks later, they arrived in San Diego, California.
San Diego was exactly as they had imagined: Warm beaches with beautiful blue water, people in loose-collared shirts and sunglasses smiling as they walked to work. It was a pleasant, laid-back environment in which the two were eager to start their lives together. “It was wonderful,” Christine raved. “We loved it out there and made a lot of friends, some of whom are still friends today.”
After several exciting years there, they returned East and settled in Bryn Mawr. Michael’s experience working for Morgan Stanley in San Diego prepared him for a job at Lincoln Financial. Christine made a career change and started working in the Billing Department at Allied Universal. “That has been a really great job for me,” Christine explained enthusiastically. “They’ve been flexible and understanding all these years.”
When their first child, Lilly, was born in December 2005, the McAleer family bought a home in the Newtown Square area. Their second daughter, Lauren, was born in July 2007. Their first son, Gavin, joined the family in 2009. Twins Garrett and Declan were born in 2010. Unfortunately, Declan would not survive past birth.
L to R: Lilly, Gavin, and Lauren with their two dogs
Photo by Shannon Lynn Photography www.ShannonLynnPhotography.com
Lilly, age 13, is a 7th-grader on Saint Anastasia’s volleyball team. “Lilly’s your typical teenager,” Christine said. “She’s currently obsessed with The Office, and she loves art, mostly drawing.”
Lauren, 11 years old, also plays volleyball at Saint Anastasia’s. Lauren’s also the McAleer family’s expert in all things electronic, from the newest apps and technologies to fixing every tech issue around the house. Her strong desire to help people even extends to dessert. “She’s very sweet and always the one who offers us things,” Michael shared, smiling. “She says things like ‘Do you guys want some ice cream? What can I get you?’”
Lilly and Lauren enjoy sports, but 10-year-old Gavin is the family expert in all things football and basketball. “Gavin’s a crazy sports nut!” Michael said with a laugh. “If he’s not playing a sport, he’s watching one.” His sports knowledge is extensive: Gavin can recite random pro basketball players’ career statistics, including from their college years.
Michael coaches Gavin’s basketball team and his flag football team. The flag football team is co-ed, so Michael has been able to coach both Lauren and Gavin on the same team.
The McAleer Family at their home in Newtown Square
Photo by Shannon Lynn Photography www.ShannonLynnPhotography.com
Michael and Christine’s love of exploring the world started with their journey across America. Their love for vacationing started when they met in Avalon. Both passions are still alive and flourishing even while their children are young.
The McAleers have visited Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire, Cape Cod, Atlanta, Orlando, and Saint Augustine. They all also love horse races, and have attended a Kentucky Derby, a Preakness race and the Belmont Stakes for the Triple Crown.
The McAleer Family has always stressed togetherness and positivity, important values since the very unfortunate loss of their son Declan in childbirth and the second twin, Garrett, at four years old. In December, on the morning of the twins’ birthday, the family was awakened by their favorite song playing on someone’s phone. No one knows how that music started, but Christine took it as a Heavenly hello from the twins and the entire family bounced joyfully out of bed.
The positivity from that December morning evolved into a family project where everyone wrote down examples of something nice they could do for someone else every day. In March and April, they all tried doing as many of those nice things as possible.
The sadness experienced by the McAleers started their journey of positivity. As they persist in focusing on positivity, they’re experiencing true joy. What a great example and proof that there’s always a reason to see the goodness in life.
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