An Insatiable Thirst for Adventure: Meet the Crawley Family

Photo Credit: Karen Presecan Photography

Like many couples, the Crawley’s love story began on a dating app. Unlike other couples, however, their first marathon conversation turned into a lengthy date that neither wanted to end. They began talking and exchanging conversation on the evening of Saint Patrick’s Day and agreed to meet the next day for brunch. David, a marine at the time, was not one to need reassurance, but he was delighted when Krista showed up at brunch. They talked over breakfast, getting to know each other more in downtown Fredericksburg and walked over to nearby park. 

“We had been talking about books, and she had her Kindle in her purse, so we just walked to the park, sat on a bench and read for at least an hour,” David recalled. “It was very cold, and neither of us were dressed to sit outside. She was in flip flops– like she always is– but neither of us wanted to move and we kept reading and talking.”

Both Krista and David didn’t want the date to end, but with frostbite looming, they decided to call it a day. The new– and very much smitten (and very much freezing)-- couple shared their first kiss and couldn’t spend a day away from each other after that.

“We just talked about everything– kids, traveling, everything,” said David. And that’s been the theme of their love story and the life they’ve built together since. 

The couple now calls Fawn Lake home, but not without their share of hardships and long-distance obstacles. You do remember reading he was a Marine, right? In true military “hurry up and wait” fashion, David was waiting for orders to North Carolina when they met. Krista, the traveler at heart, already had a trip to Italy planned. Krista left for her trip to Europe and David ended up out-processing from his former command in Germany at the same time. 

Krista took a bus, plane, and train from Italy to meet David for only one day. They spent the day at Burg Eltz, a medieval castle nestled in the hills above the Moselle River, west of Wiesbaden, and one may venture to say their life has been a fairytale since. 

Many people say that you can’t stop thinking about a loved one, but this rang true for the Crawleys. Despite some long-distance time apart with Krista in Virginia and David in North Carolina and a variety of other living arrangements, they’re back and chose to settle down in Fawn Lake. 

Krista had always loved the area, and she had lived in the neighborhood prior to her short stint in North Carolina to be with David. After geobacheloring again for a year, David moved back, retired after 20 years as a Marine, and their family is enjoying all of the amenities the neighborhood has to offer. 

That doesn’t mean they still don’t have any adventures. Though they no longer have to combat with military orders, the two always have a trip planned somewhere. Actually, the interview for this article happened while the two were traveling off the coast of Corfu, renting a boat for the day with their youngest son, Finn, exploring the Greek island. And that’s only because the day trip to Albania would’ve been too long. 

Adventure abounds with this couple and they’ve encouraged their children to seek their own adventures as well. Each child has his or her special niche, interests, and hobbies: 

Lennon, an 18-year-old freshman at Wesleyan University, made a name for himself on the wrestling mat at Riverbend, etching his name in the history books as the school’s first wrestler to earn a spot on the podium at States all four years of high school; Layla, age 17, is quite the thespian, participating in any show Stage Door or Limelight produces and taking the stage by storm; Dylan, 12, is another athlete, skateboarding in Fawn Lake’s neighborhood club or out on the pitch playing soccer with Fredericksburg Soccer Club Inc. (FSCI); Evelyn, 9, loves to go horseback riding at Whitestone Farm in Spotsylvania, finessing her moves for the next competition; Addy, 7, is a competitive gymnast at Paragon; Holden, 4, though only in pre-K, can’t wait to wrestle and follow his oldest brother’s footsteps; and the youngest of the bunch, Finn, 15 months, is soaking it all in, enjoying traveling with mom and dad and racking up another country on his list– despite his young age, he’s already been to 10 countries! 

When they’re not traveling around the world and Krista isn’t working as counsel and VP of Human Resources at Ademia, you can find the Crawley’s enjoying dinner at the Country Club in Fawn Lake, curled up together with a good book, or competing with each other over a board game and a quiet night in– it’s all about balance, right? 

After serving for over 20 years, David is enjoying life on his terms. He’s currently putting in the hours of practice and studying to earn his pilot’s license, and Krista enjoys paddle-boarding and decorating, when she isn’t planning the family’s next overseas trip. 

“We love to travel. We always have a trip planned, and we always have something to look forward to,” Krista explained. 

Their insatiable thirst for adventure is a lot like their love; it won’t subside and they can’t seem to get enough. The couple even added a business venture to their plate: they’re part-owners of FXBG Axes. Why? Because they went on a date there and loved it. And, at this point in our feature, you may realize that the better question for this couple is, “Why not?”

When they aren’t riding the waves of business ownership or actual waves along the coast of any number of countries now stamped in their passports, they enjoy the peace and calm of the community in Fawn Lake. The private community has always made them feel safe and at home, and they and their children are living life to the fullest, partaking in all of the amenities it has to offer. Even when they were away in North Carolina, the goal was always to return to Fawn Lake. 

“I had lived there before moving to NC,” Krista explained. “And we knew we wanted to move back because we love the outdoors– we could have a boat, be on the lake– there’s tons of social activities for kids, we can go have dinner at the country club, there’s tennis and socials, “wined” down Wednesdays, there’s just so much to do.” 

Enough for all of them to have their own interests, embark on their own activities, and continue to write their own story, all while penning their next adventure together.