Homegrown Memories: The Belands' Lifelong Connection to Stafford

Photo Credit: Karen Presecan Photography

For Lauren and Rich Beland, Stafford isn’t just a place to live—it’s a place filled with memories, milestones, and a deep-rooted sense of community. From meeting as teenagers at Colonial Forge High School to raising three children in the same town they both grew up in, the Belands’ journey is woven into the fabric of Stafford.

Lauren and Rich’s story began when she was a freshman and he was a junior. Lauren recalls, “I had a crush on him. He was the pitcher for the CFHS Varsity baseball team.” After a game one night, Lauren gathered her courage and waited for him. They started talking, and, as Lauren puts it, “the rest is history!” This high school romance blossomed into a lifelong partnership that now includes three children and a host of shared dreams.

Today, Rich works as a budget analyst for the government, while Lauren, a teacher in Stafford County Public Schools, has dedicated 15 years to nurturing young minds. “I taught first grade and kindergarten at Rockhill Elementary, the same school I attended as a little girl,” she says. Now, she teaches kindergarten at Winding Creek Elementary, passing down her love for learning to a new generation. In addition to teaching, Lauren also channels her passion for dance by teaching at The Dance Spot.

The Belands’ three children—14-year-old Claire, 10-year-old Gabby, and 8-year-old Richie—are just as involved in the community as their parents. Claire has been dancing since she was two and has already made a name for herself, competing and winning national and regional dance titles. Recently, she was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society and is a state finalist in the 2024 Miss Virginia Junior Teen Pageant. “She’s been so focused and dedicated to her dance,” Lauren says with pride. “Watching her grow and succeed has been amazing.”

Gabby, also a competitive dancer with Claire at The Dance Spot, loves to spend her free time outdoors with friends, and fosters her creativity, art, and communication skills through her involvement with the Winding Creek Elementary School News Crew, Art Club, and Chorus. “She’s incredibly artistic,” mom beams. 

Meanwhile, the youngest Beland, Richie, has followed in his father’s athletic footsteps. He plays on the U8 travel hockey team, with Rich serving as his coach. “Coaching Richie’s team has been a special bonding experience for them,” Lauren shares. “Seeing them on the ice together is such a joy.”

In addition to their careers and children’s activities, the Belands prioritize community involvement and giving back. Every holiday season, the family participates in the local angel tree program, where they pick out “angels” in need and shop for gifts to bring them some holiday cheer. “Our kids love picking angels and choosing gifts for them,” Lauren says. “It’s a small way for us to give back, but it means so much.”

Their involvement in the community doesn’t stop there. Each summer, their neighborhood, Woodlot Court, hosts an annual block party with a bounce house, food, and plenty of laughter. Lauren explains, “Our neighbors always look out for each other’s kids and homes. We love being a part of such a nice street.”

Their puppy, Toby, a 10-month-old Norwich Terrier, has also become part of the family’s story. “We surprised the kids with him for Christmas,” Lauren says. Toby recently starred as Toto in The Dance Spot’s production of *The Wizard of Oz*, a fitting role for the spirited little pup. “He’s truly become part of the family,” she laughs. 

The Belands’ roots in Stafford run deep. Lauren’s connection to the area began when her father, an airline pilot for USAirways, moved the family to Stafford to be closer to Reagan National Airport. “I remember when 610 was just a single-lane road in both directions,” she reminisces. In addition to Rockhill Elementary, Lauren attended AG Wright Middle School and graduated from Colonial Forge High School in 2003. “Our graduating class was ‘The First to Soar All Four,’” she says, referring to being the first class to attend all four years at the high school. Rich also moved to Stafford when he was six, graduating from Colonial Forge in 2001.

Their love for the area is rooted in the connections they’ve made. “What I enjoy most about this area are the people,” Lauren says. “Through the years, we’ve grown so close to friends that they’ve become family.” Her childhood best friends, with whom she grew up dancing, now live on the same street, and their children have become inseparable. “Our families spend holidays together, celebrate special occasions, go on vacations… It really takes a village to raise kids, and I don’t know how we’d do it without them.”

The convenience of new amenities like Embrey Mill Town Center and the natural beauty of places like Government Island enriches their lives. “It’s been great having new stores and restaurants so close by,” she says. “It really helps with our busy schedules.” For outdoor adventures, they enjoy taking walks around their neighborhood and spending time at Government Island, appreciating its scenic trails and quiet atmosphere.

Traveling as a family is also a tradition. Every year, they embark on a family trip to explore different parts of the United States. This year, they visited Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where they rode horses in the mountains, attended a rodeo, hiked scenic trails, and went whitewater rafting. “We love to see new places and have those adventures together,” Lauren says. They also make annual trips to Disney World, their “happy place,” and relax at the Outer Banks with friends.

For the Beland children, these family trips provide a break from their busy schedules and a chance to make memories. This summer, Claire and Gabby traveled to Wildwood, New Jersey, to compete at the Dance Xplosion National Dance Competition. The family also enjoys trips to Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg to celebrate birthdays with friends.

Reflecting on their life in Stafford, Lauren and Rich feel fortunate to have built such a meaningful life in their hometown. Their commitment to each other, their children, and their community is evident in every story they share. As Lauren puts it, “Our village here in Stafford is so important to us. We’re lucky to live in a place where people really look out for each other.”

With a network of family, friends, and neighbors that spans decades, the Belands are more than just residents of Stafford—they are an extension of the community’s heart and soul. From high school sweethearts to parents and active community members, their story is one of love and commitment to the place they call home.