Meet your neighbors, Kevin Carlisle and Rachelle Valdez, who met on a blind date through a mutual friend and five months later, were married. This November, the two will celebrate their 22nd wedding anniversary. 

Let's take a few steps back and get to know the members of the Carlisle family a little better so we can find out how their stories are similar to our own.

KEVIN

Kevin is a twin and the youngest of four boys. He lived in Ohio and Florida but he grew up in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Kevin served in the US Army and was stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He received his MSA from Central Michigan University in communications and an MBA from Phoenix University. He was a regional sales manager for Yaskawa, a manufacturer of automation products. His job allowed him to travel the Midwest, learning about new industries and meeting new people. Last year, he retired from Yaskawa after 26 years.

RACHELLE is an only child who was born and raised in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. She graduated from Western Michigan with a BBA in Marketing and an MBA from the University of Detroit in International Marketing. Rachelle is an accomplished communications and marketing professional, leading communications and managing global internal and external communications and marketing for Aptiv, a Fortune 500 company. Her global role allowed her to travel extensively around the world, working with various cultures and meeting amazing people. Throughout her career, she lived in Victoria, TX, Austin, TX and Shanghai, China. Rachelle retired last year with over 38 years in the Automotive Industry.

ALEXIS was adopted when she was just 10 months old, born in Fengcheng City. She attended Everest Academy through 5th grade and then went on to attend Notre Dame Preparatory, where she graduated last year in 2024. Alexis also lived in China with Rachelle while she was working there, where she attended 3rd grade at a local Chinese International school. She was a dancer at Spotlight Dance Studio here in Clarkston, and her team won the national championship in her senior year (2024). She attends Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, has had a summer Marketing Internship with Cochran Supply, and will return for her sophomore year later this month. 

PETS

There are two lucky dogs who live with the Carlisles. You may remember reading about them earlier this year in the February issue of Stroll Oakhurst. Barkley and Ellie. Barkley is a golden doodle they won at an Everest Academy auction while Alexis was attending school there. Ellie was adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic and keeps Barkley company. They love their walks, treats and playing with their toys. The two are well known in Oakhurst, happy to greet everyone who walks by with a kind bark and a wag of the tail.

HOLIDAYS

Holidays are always spent with one another at Easter and Mother's Day brunches at the club, and when Alexis was small, there was breakfast with Santa! While Rachelle's mom was alive, Christmas Eve was spent with her. She passed away two years ago, October, and they spent the first Christmas without her at the Biltmore in North Carolina. If you haven't been there during the holidays, it is a must-see.

Rachelle enjoys decorating the house for every holiday, and Easter and Christmas are her favorites. Now that they are both retired, Kevin and Rachelle are taking trips with extended family. They spent last Easter skiing in Denver. But for more on the Carlisle's travel adventures, please see TRAVEL DIARIES inside this issue.

SPORTS

In general, the Carlisles are Detroit sports fans. Lions, Tigers, Red Wings and Pistons. However, they are avid Lions fans, and they have been Lions season ticket holders for decades. Now that they have more free time, Kevin and Rachelle are targeting some away games to cheer them on. Last year, they went to games in Indianapolis and Houston. This year, they're headed for Kansas City.

LOCAL FAVORITES

Rachelle enjoys her classes at Clarkston Club Pilates and highly recommends it. Restaurant favorites for both of them include the community core favorites: The Fed, Honcho, 5th Tavern, Oakhurst Grill, and a couple of the new hot spots: Rudy's Prime and Fireside Kitchen. They like exploring downtown Detroit for a good meal and are always looking for good recommendations.

WHY OAKHURST

After both Kevin and Rachelle had lived on the east side and outside of Michigan for work, they knew Michigan will always remain home for them. The Carlisles moved to Oakhurst 13 years ago, building their home in Middlesboro where they live on the 8th green. 

They wanted a neighborhood that offered a family-friendly environment. It's that feeling you get when you drive into Oakhurst with all the trees and manicured lawns. The various amenities available for families, including the Oakhurst clubhouse, pool, golf course, and sidewalks and paths for walking dogs and riding bikes. It checked off all of their boxes. And let's not forget the many sunsets and wildlife sightings, many right out their back door. Oakhurst is a beautiful place to live.

FAVORITE FAMILY OAKHURST MEMORIES 

Kevin and Rachelle have made lifelong friends in Oakhurst while raising Alexis. They treasure the many Easter brunches at the clubhouse, following Alexis in the golf cart when she was young during Halloween, and Christmas, when the neighborhood is all lit up. Celebrating the closing of the pool every season with friends, capturing how the kids had grown over the years.

Now that Kevin and Rachelle are retired, they have added monthly Euchre nights with neighbors, and spend more time golfing and participating in the various outings the club has to offer, such as nine and dine, golf leagues and tournaments. They enjoy taking their dogs for walks in the neighborhood and hanging out at home. They feel a comfortable sense of community here and look forward to making more memories ahead.