First, we were co-workers. Then, we became friends. Later, we fell in love.

We met in a small Charlottesville newsroom in 2006. Our first assignment together? It was a story about new security measures at Madison County High School (about 20 minutes away). Our work as journalists only began there. From Madison to Alaska to Latin America, we told the stories of communities across the world for nearly two decades.

When we weren’t traveling for news coverage, we traveled on our own to explore. From hiking in Appenzell, Switzerland to watching the sun set from our canoe in the Amazon River (photo above), to cheering on barrel racing teams in Montepulciano, Italy, we have created our favorite memories while traveling together, be it for business or pleasure.

In 2020, we welcomed our daughter to the world. (So, we’re not traveling as much these days!)

We have since stepped away from reporting in the world of journalism. Now, Leyla teaches journalism and Zac manages our properties and the spunky toddler you may see running around outside at some point.