People who serve in the armed forces often cite an undeniable attraction to that career path. Typically, that means love of country and a sense of duty to give something back to the nation we call home. 

For Shelby and Elliot Kimball, their military ties ended up creating family ties. Elliot was in the Army and stationed at Fort Meade in Maryland. Shelby was in the Marine Corps and stationed on Quantico in Virginia. A training at Fort Belvoir in Virginia brought them together. 

“It was truly love at first sight,” Shelby recalls. “He saw me first, and I didn’t see him until the second day.” Soon, they were dating. A year later they were married. Now they are celebrating their fifth anniversary.

That party will include Shelby’s children from a previous marriage, 15-year-old Isabella, or El, and Addalyn (Addy), who is 8. The Kimballs also have 4-year-old Maverick (Mav) and 2-year-old Amelia (Mila) together. Bane the husky provides furry friendship and entertainment along with Zeus and Oreo, a pair of short-hair cats.

The Kimballs have lived in Muirfield for the past three years. Elliot owns Maverick Inspections, a property inspection company that contracts with general contractors. Shelby is finishing her degree in Criminology with a Minor in Science and Engineering in the Public Interest at Ohio State. 

Shelby also volunteers in Mav and Addy’s schools. She was on the Adopt a Family board at Deer Run and helped with the Deer Run Run in the fall. “I also serve the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasia as an advocate for the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (ELSA) in Washington, D.C.,” she adds.

As busy parents, things can get hectic for the Kimball household, so they make a point of making time together at dinner. “I love sitting at the table chatting about the day and what is coming ahead with everyone,” says Shelby. The family also enjoys exploring the paths and pools in the neighborhood. 

Travel is another priority. The family has dedicated 2025 and beyond to traveling more. “We’ve been to Tampa and Orlando, Florida and Gatlinburg, Tennessee this year,” says Shelby. The family has plans for West Virginia and South Carolina, and Elliot and Shelby will visit Greece before the end of the year.

If you can catch them between trips, be sure to say hello to the Kimballs—and thank them for their service.