Having spent some of his youth in Bay Point, Ben Alexander always dreamed of raising children in this wonderful neighborhood. When he and Cherie, who is from Texas but relocated here with her family in her younger days, met and started dating, Cherie said they both just knew. “From the very beginning, Ben and I knew we wanted to be part of the Bay Point community. Now, we’re so grateful to be doing just that—raising Landon and Cole right here in Bay Point.”

 

Cherie and Ben’s sons are six and two. The oldest, Landon, is autistic and attends Breakfast Point Elementary for half the day. “The other half of the day, he’s at ECAP—the Florida State Early Childhood Autism Program. He’s been part of ECAP since he was two years old, and now he’s almost seven! We’re so thankful for these incredible resources in our community,” Cherie shared. At age two, Cole “CoCo” already brings so much joy to the family, as two-year-olds tend to do.

 

Cole turned out to be a bit of a surprise. Shortly after turning 47, Cherie wasn’t feeling well, so she went to the doctor. “The nurses came in and said, ‘You are pregnant!’ Who knew at 47 that could still happen?! I said God has a sense of humor!”  This year Cherie is turning 50 and hoping to celebrate with a trip somewhere special as well as throw a party to mark this milestone birthday.

 

About 10 years ago, Ben and Cherie met while working in real estate. Now they are partners at Counts Real Estate. Ben started his real estate career in 2003 in Tallahassee; five years later, he moved to Panama City Beach and soon began working with Counts. “I left to run my own real estate brokerage, rental company, and mortgage business for five years,” Ben said. He returned to Counts with Cherie, who has been part of the real estate community for 24 years. Cherie is on the board of Counts Real Estate and the Managing Partner for the Thomas Drive location.

 

Around the Bay Point community, Cherie loves all the clubs in the neighborhood such as the yacht club and Bay Point women’s club, of which she is past president and currently chairperson of the scholarship committee. Locally, Ben is an investor, and Cherie is on the Board at Anchorage Children’s Home, a non-profit organization that provides a safety network for children who need help in the area. Together, they appreciate and support the wonderful autism community.

 

“We’re also proud to be part of the Krewe of Dominique Youx, a Mardi Gras group that’s become a big part of our lives,” Cherie shared. She explained that The Krewe has two formals a year and two main parades during Mardi Gras, where all the guys ride on floats and throw beads (and sometimes beers!). “It’s a men’s group, but there are women’s groups throughout, and I’m a mermaid—which means I get to ride on our own float and celebrate with an amazing group of women.”

 

As a family, the Alexanders love boating, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. “Looking back, choosing Bay Point was the best decision we could have made for our family,” Cherie said. “We love being part of this community, and we’re always excited to welcome new friends and neighbors.”