Meet the Whitleys: How This Couple's Love Went the Distance
Photo Credit: Karen Presecan Photography
Like many others, this tale begins with a college fling between two young sweethearts. However, in this story, that relationship was doomed to fail. There is a silver lining, though! This short-lived romance is just the first chapter in the book of the Whitley family's life. The aforementioned "doomed" couple consisted of Megan's best friend and Dan's college roommate. They conspired together to introduce Megan and Dan while they were all in Orlando, Florida. One week later, Megan and Dan started dating and have been together ever since. As for the best friend and the roommate - let's say that relationship expired before graduation.
Absence did make the heart grow fonder in the case of this loving pair as they navigated the difficulties of a long-distance relationship. In the early years, they kept their romance alive while attending different colleges. Megan earned an Athletic Training degree in Sports Medicine from George Mason University in Virginia. Dan studied Environmental Science at the University of Mount Olive in North Carolina, where his family has a long, illustrious history and deep roots within the school. Post-graduation, Dan served in the Army for eleven years as a Blackhawk Helicopter Crew Chief. For the last six years, he has been serving in the Air National Guard as an F-16 Engine Maintainer. Their deep, soul-stirring connection and strong bond saw them through several years of physical separation from the moment they started dating until they were pronounced husband and wife.
Finally, in the same zip code, Megan and Dan found themselves in Virginia when the Army moved Dan to Fort Belvoir in 2009. Virginia felt like home, so they decided to put down roots.
When Megan and Dan got married, they knew that they wanted to start a family together in some capacity. The couple never imagined that they wouldn't have kids, though they feared, at the time, that they may not be able to have biological offspring. After nine wonderful years of marriage, they decided to pursue the option of fostering children who needed a loving home. They felt a strong pull to give back in some way, and this was the perfect solution for the devoted husband and wife duo who were ready to open their home to a child.
As fate would have it, on the inaugural day of their foster parent training, they discovered that Megan was pregnant with their first child. Some couples might have decided to ditch the idea of fostering as they faced the challenges of becoming first-time parents, but that was far from the truth for the Whitley family. Over a span of eight years, Megan and Dan took twenty-five foster youths into their Spotsylvania County home. When asked about the experience of being foster parents, this kind-hearted, generous couple says they feel blessed to have participated in the foster care system and to have been a part of these children's lives.
They have since welcomed three beautiful daughters into their family. Camryn, the eldest at seven years old, plays in the Stafford Grass Roots Soccer league. She is crafty and observant and loves cats. Karsyn, their middle child, is four years old. She has a vivid imagination and the sweetest disposition. Parker, their adorable two-year-old, looks up to her big sisters and will try anything she sees them doing. All three girls love to play outside and would spend their entire day outdoors if possible.
The family moved to a beautiful neighborhood in Stafford County just over a year and a half ago, in April 2022. They had been keenly interested in that neighborhood since Dan once drove by the area on his way to work at Edward Jones in Downtown Fredericksburg, as it was initially being developed. The timing was right, so the Whitleys made their move.
They love their community and consistently participate in local experiences such as outdoor movie nights and fundraising events. Dan even took part as a sponsor for the Downtown Mile for CASA Race last year. The Whitleys are a passionately outdoorsy crew who always make time for camping and hiking. A fall must-visit spot is Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah National Park, where they find joy in a long sunset trek in the crisp autumnal air. They also like to bike on the Canal Path downtown and explore the mountain biking trails along the Rappahannock River and hike local trails such as Government Island in Stafford. In addition to their more rigorous outdoor pursuits, the Whitleys enjoy going on adventures to find the best food trucks in the region.
When they aren't spending quality family time in their Stafford home, the Whitleys enjoy traveling both near and far. When Dan finished his years of active-duty Army service, he and Megan spent a glorious three weeks backpacking through Europe. They took advantage of his extra leave time by eating gelato twice a day every day that they spent in Rome and Capri, Italy, taking in the sights of Paris, France, and reveling in the mountainous splendors of Interlaken, Switzerland. When they want to stay closer to home, they travel to Florida several times a year to visit their loved ones. While spending some time in the Sunshine State, they always go bass fishing, relax on the beach, and occasionally stop at the "Happiest Place on Earth" – Disney World!
Through hard work, dedication, and generosity of spirit, these two remarkable people overcame life's challenges together while giving back so much to their community. It is an incredible gift to foster one child, but the Whitleys have changed the lives of twenty-five amazing foster kids while setting an outstanding example for their own children. Megan and Dan have worked hard to build a great life for their family in this beautiful neighborhood, and they are grateful each day for their good fortune. They are indeed excellent role models and pillars of the community.
Megan and Dan's love story may not have had the most conventional start, but they certainly got their fairytale ending.
