The Cumming Family: Finding Peace and Purpose in Stafford

Photo Credit: Karen Presecan Photography

Nathan and Jennifer Cumming have built a fulfilling life in Stafford, Virginia, filled with family, service, and entrepreneurship. The Cumming family, which includes their three children—Natalia (19), Gabriel (16), and Ephraim (12)—moved to Stafford in 2021, seeking a balance between urban convenience and rural tranquility.

A Love Story Rooted in Service

Nathan and Jennifer’s love story began in San Diego, California, two decades ago. In 2003, Nathan had just returned from U.S. Army Basic Combat Training and worked as a security guard and reservist, while Jenn worked at David’s Bridal. Their romance led to a spontaneous wedding after a unit Christmas party revealed Nathan’s upcoming deployment to Iraq.

“Nathan’s Reserve unit told the soldiers and families they were preparing for deployment, and on the way home from that party, we decided to get married,” Jenn recalled. “We had a beautiful ceremony with family and friends the next weekend, and the rest is history.”

Nathan’s Army career has taken the family to various locations. With more than 20 years of dedicated service, including two deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Nathan has risen from the rank of Private to Major, exemplifying the values that are at the core of their family. He continues to serve as an Aviation Major, reflecting both his commitment to his country and his family’s strong sense of duty.

Education, Entrepreneurship, & Exploring Passions

Both Nathan and Jennifer have strong educational backgrounds. Jenn holds bachelor’s degrees in Religion from Liberty University and Chemistry from Troy University, while Nathan earned his bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Studies from Arkansas State.

Jenn’s career path has been eclectic, reflecting her wide-ranging interests. “I’ve done a little bit of everything—ballet instructor, artist, laboratory assistant, bartender, and now, I’m a small business owner,” Jenn said. In 2022, she re-energized the Kombi Keg RVA franchise, a mobile bartending service featuring a 1962 VW Microbus converted into a six-tap kegerator. 

“It’s been a fun journey turning that VW bus into something people can enjoy at weddings and corporate events,” she said. Her business expanded in 2023 to include On The Fly Tapsters, offering full catering and bartending services focusing on sustainability and craft cocktails. 

“Running a business and a family simultaneously can be a challenge,” Jenn admitted, “but I love the creativity, especially when I’m coming up with new cocktail recipes.” In her spare time, Jenn enjoys watercolor painting, gardening, and caring for her menagerie of animals on their “farm.” She’s also always working on developing new cocktail recipes and refining her “already delicious cooking,” which garners props from Nathan and her children.

Each of the Cumming children has unique passions and pursuits. The eldest, Natalia, works as a barista and dreams of attending Cambridge University to earn a PhD in psychology. “She’s always had a fascination with the human mind,” Jennifer said proudly. “Her digital art is amazing too—it’s something she enjoys in her spare time.”

Gabriel, 16, is a competitive chess player with aspirations to become a chess master. “He’s thinking about attending law school, focusing on intellectual property law,” Jenn shared. “He’s also planning to start a nonprofit to teach chess to underserved youth.”

Ephraim, the youngest at 12, has a talent for computer programming and design. “He loves coding and spends a lot of time on different platforms learning new skills,” Nathan said. “It’s fascinating to watch him dive so deeply into something at such a young age.”

Life in Stafford

The Cumming family moved to Stafford in 2021 after Jenn’s mother passed away, seeking a peaceful, natural setting. 

“We were looking for a place away from the hustle and bustle,” Jenn explained. “Stafford was perfect—rural enough for peace and quiet but close enough to larger cities for convenience.”

One of their favorite aspects of Stafford is the balance between nature and history. “We love how close we are to the historical aspects of Fredericksburg and Stafford,” Nathan said. “But we’re also homebodies who enjoy spending time on our property.”

Their home is full of animals, adding to the peaceful atmosphere they sought. Athena, a German Shepherd, lives alongside two cats—Davina and Aurora—several fish, a Mississippi Map Turtle, four land turtles, and 38 chickens. 

“It’s like our own little farm,” Jenn laughed. “I love caring for the chickens and turtles, and the kids are always excited when we get new additions.”

Jenn also shared tips on raising chickens with her neighbors. “It’s fun and brings us closer together,” she added. The Cumming family is closely involved in their neighborhood, which includes many other military families. 

“Most families on our street are either former or current military, so there’s a sense of understanding and camaraderie,” Nathan explained. Although the neighborhood is generally quiet, Jenn and Nathan enjoy small gatherings with neighbors when time allows. “We may not have big events, but there’s a sense of community I really appreciate,” Jenn said.

When they venture out, the family enjoys axe throwing, fine dining at Fahrenheit 132, or grabbing drinks at Cheekys in Fredericksburg. “We’re homebodies, but when we go out, we like to do something different,” Nathan said. “Axe throwing has been a fun way to bond as a family.”

Though Stafford is their ideal home base, the Cumming family loves traveling, particularly to nature-inspired destinations. “Almost anywhere that’s historic or nature-focused is perfect,” Nathan said. They frequently visit Hotel Roanoke and make trips to Arkansas to visit family, or they indulge in the local history of Fredericksburg and Stafford.

“We enjoy the balance of the urban-rural space [in Stafford] with the availability to enjoy the metropolis and immense opportunities of universities and museums,” Jenn said. 

As the Cumming family continues to grow in Stafford, they are grateful for the opportunities and peace the area offers. “It’s a beautiful place to raise a family,” Jenn said.

Nathan and Jennifer’s journey, from their spontaneous wedding to raising three talented children and running a business, reflects their resilience, creativity, and commitment to service. In Stafford, they’ve found a community that supports their ambitions and provides the tranquility they sought years ago.