During the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ernest family moved to Hallsley. Their move into the neighborhood was sentimental not only because of a new chapter in their lives but also because of Ryan’s 40th birthday. It was a day of new beginnings in two similar yet different ways. Since the family’s move in April 2020, the Ernest family of four–Ryan, Allison, Coleton, Chase, and their three dogs Angie, Murphy, and Walley–have called Colwyn Bay home for about three years. 

 

Ryan and Allison are full-time Psychiatry Mental Health Nurse Practitioners for Discovery Counseling and Consulting in the West End. Both Ryan and Allison are originally from Ohio–Ryan is from Hudson, Ohio, and Allison is from Cleveland, Ohio. However, Allison moved to Virginia when she was five years old and lived in Western Hanover for the rest of her childhood. As for education, Ryan received his Bachelor of Fire Science at Columbia Southern University. After his education, Ryan accepted a position at Richmond Ambulance Authority as a paramedic. Then, Henrico Fire hired him, where he worked for ten years. Simultaneously, he also returned to school to obtain his Bachelor's and Master's of Nursing at Walden University, as he worked part-time in the Emergency Department (ED) at Memorial Regional Medical Center. As for Allison, she graduated from Bon Secours School of Nursing to receive her Nursing Diploma. On that note, she also attended Liberty University for her Bachelor of Nursing and Walden University for her Master of Nursing while working full-time in the ED at Memorial Regional Medical Center for fifteen years. 

 

Ryan and Allison's love story began while working together in the Emergency Department at Memorial Regional Medical Center. Before their marriage, Ryan had two children from a previous marriage–fourteen-year-old Coleton and twelve-year-old Chase. Both boys attend Midlothian Middle School. Coleton enjoys riding his dirt bike whenever he gets spare time. “[He] tries to defy gravity on the track,” the family says. As for Chase, he loves to swim and is a part of the Hallsley High Tides. In addition to swimming, Chase also enjoys flying his RC airplane. When they are together, the Ernests enjoy unwinding at the beach, watching movies, and spending time with neighbors. Collectively, the family cherishes time spent traveling, as it is their favorite hobby. In recent years, they have explored destinations such as Paris, London, Tenerife (Spain), Aruba, the Bahamas, California, and Florida, with a special affinity for beach locales. The family's annual Summer retreat is spent at Fripp Island, South Carolina, unanimously chosen as their favorite beach spot. This tradition began when Allison first traveled to the island when she was ten. Reflecting on their favorite vacation destination, the family shares, “Everyone travels on golf carts, the deer eat out of your hand, there are alligators crossing the street, no hotels, no putt-putt, no shops.” 

 

A lively debate always ensues about favorite family dinners, with Mexican and Thai cuisines taking the spotlight! When it comes to music, Allison adores Taylor Swift and might be “Hallsley’s biggest Swiftie.” 

 

The Ernests have made several long-lasting memories since moving to Hallsley in April 2020. A few cherished memories for them involve the birthday brigades and the donations dropped off at their home for homeless patients on the inpatient psychiatric unit that Allison was working on. Above all, the Ernests love the sense of community within the neighborhood.