The Romero Family: A Legacy of Service to Country and Community

Photo Credit: Karen Presecan Photography

The Romero family, residing in St. George's Estates, is a shining example of dedication to their country and community. With a rich history of military service and local involvement, they have left each place they've called home better than they've found it. Stafford has been fortunate to have them as residents since 2004, and they've become an integral part of the community through their active participation in sports and business.

Chris Romero, 53, and Jeanie Romero, 53, are the pillars of the Romero family. Chris and Jeanie met, and their journey began in Fort Hood, Texas, where both now husband and wife served and were stationed. They fell in love and became a dual military family, which is a challenge in itself, and took on the challenge of raising children together. The couple has two incredible daughters: Alejandra "Ali" Velazquez, 29, and Casandra "Sis" Romero, 25. Ali is married to Miguel Velazquez, 32, and they have two children, Caroline, 5, and Santiago, 2. The Romeros also look forward to officially welcoming Kalief, Casandra's fiance, into the family soon, and Chris's brother, Rommel "Chato" Romero, 43, is also integral to the family.

Jeanie served in the Army for 20 years, joining in 1990 as a lithographer. After deploying during Operation Desert Storm, she was stationed in Texas, Germany, Korea, and Virginia. Jeanie has continued serving her country post-military retirement as a Department of Defense employee at the Pentagon for the last 14 years. Chris also served for seven years and has been self-employed for 24 years, running his own businesses before buying Kitchens For You, where he continues working now, fulfilling the CEO role. 

The Romero family's commitment to military service extends beyond Chris and Jeanie. Miguel Velazquez, Ali's husband, also served for seven years, and Chris's brother Rommel "Chato" Romero served in the US Army from September 2000 to 2004 and deployed to Iraq from March 2003 to 2004. The family's military background has instilled a sense of duty and honor that resonates through their actions and community involvement.

In addition to running a successful business, Chris has coached in various capacities for most of his life. 

"My dad actually started coaching me when I was 5," said Ali. "Starting with T-ball when we lived at Ft. Hood, he coached me through parks and rec, my travel team years, and up until I was 15." When the family moved to Stafford, Chris continued to coach his girls on various softball teams and even had the privilege of coaching Sis when she played at North Stafford. Once Casandra graduated from North Stafford, he moved on to Colonial Forge, where he was an assistant coach for the girls' softball from 2018 until 2023. 

While the Romeros value the lessons learned through service and sports, they are also quite proud of all of their family members' achievements within the classroom. Ali has a bachelor's in marketing and is pursuing her master's in personal relations. Casandra graduated from VCU in 2021 with a bachelor's degree in advertising, and her fiancé, Kalief, also a VCU graduate, holds a master's degree in business from Louisiana State University in Shreveport. Their academic achievements are a source of pride and inspiration for the entire family.

When she's not busy with wedding planning, Casandra is a Project Manager for Clayton Homes, overseeing project sites and leading others toward their homeownership goals. This passion for helping others was instilled by Chris and Jeanie when the girls were young, but it has also been fostered through Chris's guidance in business: both daughters have worked alongside their father in the family business. 

"Both my sister and I have worked with my dad throughout the years, which has been fun," Casandra said. "He has given us responsibilities such as taking over social media, pursuing marketing opportunities, and coming in to take photos of finished projects with clients." This hands-on experience has been an invaluable learning experience and fun for both daughters. 

"It has been a blessing for sure, not only because it has given both of us the opportunity to use what we've learned in school and apply it to real-world situations and build our resumes for the future, but getting to watch his [Dad's] work ethic and see the relationships he has built with people has been awesome!" Ali explained.

What has been even more "awesome" and amazing for the Romero family is having everyone back home and close to each other again. While Ali's husband Miguel served in the Army, the family was stationed overseas. Both children were also born overseas, Caroline in South Korea (2019) and Santiago in Germany (2022), so Chris and Jeanie are incredibly grateful their grandchildren are now stateside. 

"It has been really great being back, especially since having our children," said Ali. "It was hard sharing moments and highlights from our lives while living so far away. My parents are thrilled we're closer to them now since they are both very devoted grandparents!" Chris and Jeanie enjoy "spoiling" their grandchildren and pets like any grandparent.

The Romero family also includes a menagerie of pets. They have three dogs: Teddy, 8, Nala, 6, and Ozzy, 2, and three cats: Nugget, 11, Miley, 5, and Tobi, 1. These furry companions add joy and warmth to their household.

A fun sports rivalry also heats things up around the Romero house in the fall. Chris and Jeanie support the Cowboys on the gridiron, while other family members have become Commanders fans. This creates a fun atmosphere, and Chris and Jeanie often travel to Dallas to support their beloved team. 

"We can't wait to go watch the Cowboys play in October in Dallas, where we also get to visit with our family," Jeanie said. When the Cowboys come into town, it becomes a family affair at FedEx. The family loves bonding over everything Stafford has to offer as well. 

When the Romeros moved to Stafford, they were smitten from the start. "We moved in 2004 and immediately fell in love with the area," explained Chris. "There's so much to do, phenomenal schools, and we got our daughters involved in the sports programs immediately." The family felt welcomed, and they appreciated the vibrant community as well as the recreational opportunities for their family. Even now, as grandparents, they enjoy "cheering on our grandchildren on the soccer field in the fall and spring." 

In their free time, the Romeros enjoy exploring downtown Fredericksburg, walking trails, and local attractions like Funland and various wineries and breweries. They love dining at Brock's, Rebellion, and local BBQ spots and engaging in activities like bowling and going to the movie theaters. The family's annual beach trip is also a cherished time and tradition that brings them together each summer at Virginia Beach.

The Romero family's story is one of dedication and commitment to both service and community. Their journey from military bases across the globe to the streets of Stafford is a testament to their adaptability and strong family bonds. Whether it's through their contributions to local sports, their entrepreneurial ventures, or their active participation in community events, the Romeros have consistently demonstrated what it means to give back and make a positive impact. Their values of hard work, education, and community service are evident in every aspect of their lives. From both Chris and Jeanie's distinguished military careers to their daughters' professional achievements and community involvement, the Romeros embody the spirit of dedication and togetherness. They have truly found a home in Stafford, where their story of service and commitment continues to unfold, and they get to write it– together.