5 minute read
Meet the Lowe Family: Home is Where the Heart is
www.DanvilleLivingCA.com @DanvilleLivingCA #DanvilleLivingCA
By Alexandra Sullivan, Resident since 2017
How does a pharmacist from Virginia and a rugby player all the way from Ireland find themselves meeting in the Bay Area? Luck, Fate, Serendipity? However you view it, Andrew and Leslie Lowe are grateful for the roads that brought them together almost a decade ago.
Leslie grew up just outside of Richmond, VA. She attended James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA and thenThe Medical College of VA, School of Pharmacy in Richmond. She tried a desk job after receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Business from James Madison, but soon learned that her father, uncle, and brother all had the right idea- a career in pharmacy! Leslie currently works as a consultant pharmacist for Premier Pharmacy, a long term care pharmacy. She spends most of her working hours with her husband at their real estate office with Keller Williams. If those two careers aren’t enough to keep this mom of two busy, she also owns her own business called FitGrit RX. It is a specialty organic recovery/pain cream meant to help athletes recover from muscle fatigue and pain faster.
Andrew is from a small town outside of Belfast, Ireland. He has a BS Degree in Sports Science from Ulster University in Northern Ireland. After that he received his Post Graduate Certificate in Education also from Ulster University. His lifelong passion has been rugby, winning two national titles in his 22 year career. His first title was in 2001 playing in Ireland. That same year he represented Ireland in the Youth Rugby World Cup. His next title, and MVP award, was in 2010 while playing here in the USA.
As mentioned before, Andrew works in real estate alongside Leslie here in Danville. Leslie says, “Andrew is a gifted relationship builder and he approaches our real estate business with a mindset that is characterized by a genuine desire to help people.” Andrew has also been the rugby coach for the De La Salle Spartans for the last four years. In 2019 they won their first inaugural statewide single school championship.
Andrew, Charlotte, Leslie, and Jack enjoy adventuring all over the world!
When Andrew and Leslie met in 2010, he was only supposed to be in the country temporarily. But meeting Leslie two weeks into a 3-month visit changed all of that. Leslie was finalizing her divorce and the rest...as they say...is history!
These two lovebirds celebrated their 7th wedding anniversary in August.
Jack and Charlotte goofing around
Jack is entering into his sophomore year at Cal Berkeley. He’s majoring in Computer Science and plays middie on the school’s lacrosse team. Jack played lacrosse with the Scorpions and then all four years at Monte Vista. He’s enjoying all the success that his college team has had thus far, “[We] went to the MCLA championship in Salt Lake City this year and finished 2nd in the nation.” So far his college experience has been awesome!
Charlotte is set to graduate from her private Christian high school this December - a semester early. She hasn’t decided where she’s going to go to college, but she knows that she wants to study interior design. Charlotte preferred the learning environment her private school offered, and the whole family is so proud of how well she performed there. She also enjoys horseback riding, running, and doing CrossFit.
CrossFit is one activity that the whole family has really taken to. Leslie works out at CrossFit ATI, right on Hartz avenue - “it is a great fitness community to be a part of.” Andrew started with CrossFit, but now competes in Iron Man races. He has completed 5 full-distance Iron Man races. This fall he did a half-distance one in Santa Cruz, and then has another full one in Arizona. If you can’t tell, this is an active and athletic family. Leslie and Andrew recently finished a half marathon together. “I have been running since my high school days and it’s something that Andrew and I enjoy a great deal- some of our date nights are just going for long runs. We are fortunate that our back gate opens up to the Iron Horse trail- this is convenient for both running and entertainment,” said Leslie.
Andrew and some of “The Herd”, his tri-team made of 25 members, from the Danville/San Ramon area.
For the Lowe’s, their family lives by three words: “God, Family, Work.” For the past 8 years they have been active members at Gatetree Baptist Church in Danville. Rounding out their family are two awesome dogs, Reagan and Jingles - “Reagan is a gentle giant, and Jingles is the little alpha male who rules the roost.” On top of all the other work these two produce, “Andrew is also the President of Danville, Alamo, San Ramon Real Estate Marketing Association (RMA). This is a group of about 100 local realtors and affiliates who for the past 35 years have been meeting weekly to market their real estate inventory.”
Jingles and Reagan, commonly mistaken for “mom and baby” - when they’re actually both boys!
Living right downtown has endless perks. From shopping at local boutiques, to enjoying healthy treats at the farmer’s market, the Lowe family fully embraces the walkability of their downtown home. “We have a fantastic little community here with a row of 3 townhouses in the back and 2 detached homes in the front. We socialize often and definitely watch out for each other.” Neighbors can be a fantastic blessing, Andrew and Leslie would like to say, “This is for Brad, Emma, Dave and Becky: ‘It’s 5 o’clock somewhere…’”
While the Lowe’s love their hometown, traveling across the country to visit Leslie’s family in Martha’s Vineyard is a summertime priority. When time allows, the family travels “across the pond” to visit Andrew’s family in Ireland. Experiencing first-hand the difference between American and European customs has allowed for a fair share of laughs. “We all have a goofy sense of humorthat is one of my favorite things about usour ability to laugh at everything…including ourselves.” Ask Jack if basketball shorts are suitable for Ireland in November, or ask Charlotte about the size difference between American and European hot chocolates.
One of Andrew and Leslie’s other family sayings is, “If you want to feel wealthy, count all of the things you have that money can’t buy.” Great family, good health, and a tight community to be a part of are just some of the fantastic things that the Lowes can count.
Do you know a neighbor who has a story toshare? Nominate your neighbor to be featuredin one of our upcoming issues! Contact usat asullivan@bestversionmedia.com.
