From Pancakes to Playdates: How the Mastronardis Found Community in Stafford
Photo Credit: Karen Presecan Photography
For the Mastronardi family, life in Stafford, Virginia, has been a journey of finding warmth, friendship, and new beginnings. Michelle and Patrick Mastronardi, along with their three children—Vincent, 12, Vivian, 8, and Viggo, 1—have not just found a place to live, but a community to belong to in Stafford, especially as a military family.
The Mastronardis' story begins with Michelle and Patrick meeting online, back when eHarmony was the dating app of choice. "His profile mentioned, 'If you love pancakes, then we will match perfectly,'" Michelle laughs, recounting their initial connection. Their first date, however, didn't involve pancakes or even make it past the car. "We met up for chicken wings and beer but ended up sitting in the car talking for hours instead. He eventually cut the date short because he had another date lined up, which was a bit of a shocker!" she says. But the chemistry was undeniable, and what started as a chance meeting grew into a family and a partnership with strong roots.
As a former Army Military Policeman, Patrick's career took him and his family to various posts, including a memorable stint in Germany. "He loved his time with the PSB Unit at Fort Belvoir," Michelle shares. "If he could do that job for the rest of his life, he would." Today, Patrick works as a government contractor while still finding time to keep up with his hobbies—particularly his love for cars. "He's a car guy, through and through," Michelle explains. "He has two project cars: a Lexus IS300 and his pride and joy, a Mazda RX7. And yes, he'll answer if you call him Paul Walker," she jokes, a nod to Patrick's love for The Fast and the Furious films.
Michelle's career path took an exciting turn after they returned to the United States. With a background in Human Resources and experience working for the National Railway Labor Conference in Arlington, she decided to shift gears in 2021 to real estate, a career that has brought her fulfillment and success. "I love helping people buy, sell, and invest in real estate," she says. "One day, I'd love to open a clothing boutique or maybe even my own business." For now, she's also active in her kids' school activities, volunteering with the PTO at Rockhill Elementary—a role that's given her an inside look at how much work goes into supporting the school community. "Those ladies are rockstars," she says with admiration.
The Mastronardis' kids bring energy and joy to their home, each with unique talents and interests. "Vivian is my dancer," Michelle says proudly. "She dances at Barton Williams in Stafford, and we love watching her on stage. Now she's trying to talk us into horse-riding lessons!" Meanwhile, Vincent has found his passion in BMX and the Young Marines program at Quantico. "Woodbridge has a great BMX program, and he loves it. As for Young Marines, I could talk all day about that program—it's wonderful. He's so engaged with all the volunteer work they do in the community," she says. Little Viggo, just a year old, is already proving to be an adventurous spirit, following his siblings around and "into everything in the cabinets."
The family's Golden Retriever, Lilly, rounds out the household. "Lilly was my retirement gift to myself when Patrick retired from the Army," Michelle says fondly. "She's the sweetest thing to cuddle with." Bringing her home was a memorable experience in itself—one that the kids might rather forget. "She threw up all over the car on the drive back from North Carolina. The kids had nowhere to go and just sat there until we could stop at a rest area. They still talk about it," she laughs.
Moving to Stafford in January 2021, the family has fallen in love with their neighborhood and the community's welcoming spirit. "Living in Stafford gives me the small-town feeling I grew up with in Missouri," Michelle explains. "It's peaceful, and everyone here looks out for each other." She values the close-knit feel of their neighborhood, particularly as a military family that knows the challenges of finding a "tribe" in each new location. "Having people that will help when you need it has been so refreshing," she says. "Living in a neighborhood where the kids actually come out and play has been so rewarding for my kids."
One of the highlights of their neighborhood is their friend and neighbor, "Mr. Dave," who always seems to have time for the kids, whether they're sharing the excitement of spotting a turtle or simply running over to say hello. "Lilly even runs over to him when she sees he's outside!" says Michelle.
Community events and neighborhood get-togethers add even more vibrancy to their lives in Stafford. Michelle describes monthly meet-ups with a group of local women for game nights, often gathering at a neighbor's house to try out new drink recipes and share a laugh. "It's so great to have friends from all different backgrounds—stay-at-home moms, career women, teachers, military. But one thing we all have in common is that we love to laugh and have a great time," she says. During the holidays, they host "Friendsgiving" and a cookie exchange, and for the kids, there are even "fancy dinners" hosted at the Mastronardi home. "The kids love it," she adds.
Beyond the neighborhood, the Mastronardis enjoy frequenting local spots in Stafford and Fredericksburg. "On any given Saturday, you'll find us at Chick-fil-A," Michelle admits. "We're creatures of habit." Date nights bring them to Billiken's Smokehouse for BBQ and live music, while family outings often involve walks along Caroline Street and slices of pizza at Benny Vitali's.
Looking to the future, the family dreams of moving somewhere warmer and planning to live on a sailboat in Florida for half the year. "We want to sail the world, and the Lagoon 55 is calling our name," Michelle says, smiling. But for now, they're happily rooted in Stafford, a place that feels more and more like home every day.
Through life's adventures, the Mastronardis have found their place and people in Stafford. With shared values of family, friendship, and community, they've created a comforting and exciting life. As Michelle reflects, "Being here in Stafford has given us everything we wanted for our family: a safe place, a yard for the kids to play, and amazing friends. I love that it feels like home."
