Building Dreams Together - From the White House to Fawn Lake: Meet the Watson Family

Photo Credit: Karen Presecan Photography

In a world where fate weaves its intricate tapestry, some stories stand out for their undeniable charm and luck. The narrative of Josie and Ed is a testament to the timeless beauty of love and crafting your tale and the magical synchronicity of life's journeys.

Josie and Ed first met at work, which is fitting as both went on to have fulfilling careers, Josie helping hundreds of families with their home mortgages and Ed working in probably the most well-known "home" of all: The White House. The two knew of each other through softball games, but they didn't hit it off until they began working together at Auto Train in Lorton, VA, in the 70s. 

The couple works hard and plays hard. Josie and Ed enjoy bowling and are immersed in the community– the entire Watson family has learned life lessons from work, hobbies, and athletics. 

Life is what you make it for the Watsons, and an integral part of life is the concept of "home." Through his initial carpentry work, Ed built numerous homes in the area before working at the White House. He served under multiple presidents, accruing a treasure trove of stories from 37 total  years at The White House. Not too shabby for this '81 grad from Woodbridge Senior High School. Ed retired as The White House carpentry shop foreman, a position he held for 20+ years. 

Like Ed, Josie did her part to help others craft their idea of home. Mom, Josie, graduated from Hayfield High School and worked for seven years with Fairfax County in Juvenile Relations before getting into the mortgage business. Josie retired after 19 years with Fannie Mae. While their careers have certainly been fulfilling, their true legacy lies in their family and how they've given back to the community. 

Their life together had a somewhat rocky start. 

"[On the] day of our wedding, it rained, the limo driver got lost, and [we were] late to the church," Josie explained. The hiccups continued on their honeymoon. 

"The cruise ship broke down at sea, [and we were] forced to take a smaller cruise the day of our wedding, they lost our luggage at the airport… oh, and on top of that, when we got on the ship, it was two twin beds. Perfect for a honeymoon!" she laughed. Well, that was just a sign of things to come. The couple later had twin boys. 

They've been happily married for 42 years. 

"I guess we knocked a lot of the struggles out of the way early," Josie added. They have knocked it out of the park, too. The family boasts wonderful careers, a loving family, and a multitude of connections and contributions to the community. 

Those connections to the White House though and the stories from Ed’s time there are some of their fondest family memories, like the time Ed “wound up becoming George Bush, Sr.’s horseshoe partner in a tournament on the White House grounds,” Bryce explained. “They ended up winning the tournament.” Again, not too shabby for the President and Ed Watson, a former national MVP and champion for men’s softball. While the former (then current) president and her husband were playing, Josie was actually pregnant with Kyle and Bryce. 

“Barbara Bush noticed this [pregnant woman], pulled up a chair next to her, and started talking about motherly things, I suppose,” Bryce explained. “Well, when Kyle and I were born, Barbara Bush was one of the first ones to send my mom flowers in the hospital. Fast forward four months later to the White House Christmas Party, she [the First Lady] recognized my parents and immediately ran over, asking, ‘Are those my boys?!’ and scooped us both right up.” Later on when George Bush, Jr. was leaving the White House, the family was invited to another celebration. Barbara and George Bush, Sr. were there and saw them again, saying the same thing, “Are those my twins?!” 

“Needless to say,” laughed Bryce, “the White House has provided many good memories to our family.”

Their sons doubled the joy and laughter for Josie and Ed. Kyle and Bryce Watson, now 34 years old– and Mrs. Bush’s presumed favorite twins– also enjoy living in the community. Their interests include hunting, fishing– pretty much anything outdoors– and they support the local teams– Orioles and Nationals on the baseball diamond, the Capitals on the ice, and the Commanders on the gridiron. Kyle and Bryce take after mom and dad, "playing on a softball team together, a bowling team together, and coach Kyle's son Brady's U10 Little League Team," Ed explained. Though neither of them have ever had the honor of being horseshoe partners with a sitting president, they’ve done pretty well for themselves.

“We’ve always been active in the community,” explained Bryce, “whether it was us playing a plethora of sports, or taking part in sponsoring less fortunate families or fostering animals,” which is a testament to how Ed and Josie raised their boys. Their now adult children play in various sports leagues, coach Kyle’s son’s little league teams, and sponsor various programs through their business, Grand Slam Plumbing. 

“Basically, what I am trying to say is Kyle and I love the area and we know exactly where our roots come from,” said Bryce. “We love to hunt and fish, often going back to the same spots my grandfather and father would take us as little kids. Even on a day where nothing is caught, it brings back all of those memories and makes it all worthwhile.”

Like his sons, Ed enjoys the outdoors, bowling, sports, golfing, and woodworking. He does some home improvement work for friends and family, loves getting together with them for card nights, and volunteers with Josie at a local farm in Bowling Green. Like most grandparents, they adore their three grandchildren. While Ed prefers camping and hunting, Josie prefers to spend weekends antiquing, crafting, and attending vintage fairs in the area. She also likes a change in weather and loves vacationing at the beach or anywhere tropical. 

The couple enjoys bowling together and feeding and watching their hummingbirds. The tranquility of nature is what led them to put down roots in Fawn Lake. After working in D.C. for so long, the family enjoys "being a little further out from the hustle and bustle," feeling as if they are "somewhat in the country without being too far from society, close to friends and family as well as the interests and hobbies we have." But they love the wildlife in the neighborhood and the safety and tranquility of the area. 

They've been in Fawn Lake for three years and first fell in love with its "beauty" and how "well kept and groomed it was." The amenities are also a plus for these nature lovers, and they enjoy the tennis courts, pool, golf course, beach, dog park, and numerous trails. The Watsons also give back to the community, sponsoring the local Fawn Lake Youth tennis team through Grand Slam Plumbing and their grandson's Little League team and Josie volunteers her time at local farms as well. She’s even had the incredible opportunity to assist with some deliveries of newborn cattle and goats. Needless to say, they love the area and the opportunities that abound for them to enjoy in retirement, but they hold a special place in their hearts for Fawn Lake. 

“No question about it,” Bryce added, “Fawn Lake is very community driven and I couldn’t be more thankful for that. Our neighbors have been super supportive of the business, and, without them, this year wouldn’t have been what it is. They truly look out for each other and it seems as if every neighbor supports each other’s growth no matter what that looks like.”

The Watsons consider themselves lucky to be able to sponsor so many programs, including a portion of the veterans’ golf tournament and they “look forward to more opportunities as the seasons change. 

“If Fawn Lake had a grocery store, you would seriously never have to leave,” Bryce joked. This outdoor family has certainly found their home. After years of dedicated public service, Ed and Josie Watson enjoy the tranquility of shared moments bird watching, the joy of watching their twin sons run their business together, and delight in cheering on their grandchildren from the stands. 

The magic they've created and the definition of home transcends the boundaries of physical structures for the Watson Family. They’re proud of the legacy they’ve built and continue to establish in their forever home and the extended community in Fawn Lake.