Our MI Made Mixer event in March brought together all kinds of people from all different backgrounds, and we had the pleasure to connect with one couple who was especially unique with their story: Ian and Lexie. They caught up with other relocatees at Flanagan’s after finishing up free yoga at the GRAM across the street, and it didn’t take long to realize how special their boomerang story was.

They both grew up in Grand Ledge near Lansing, and went to high school together without actually ever crossing paths. After high school, Ian went to the Naval Academy and Lexie attended Michigan State University. Ian traveled all over the globe on duty, and Lexie’s career took her to Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, and New York. When they reconnected 10 years after high school, Ian left for his first deployment and was gone for 8 months. He was then stationed at Pearl Harbor, and Lexie relocated to be with him.

While in Hawaii, Ian was an Officer on a submarine and Lexie was a regional sales manager. With their home in Hawaii, Lexie traveled extensively and she was able to see all of the Hawaiian Islands, Alaska, and Guam. When the two got engaged, they decided on a destination wedding. But when you live in paradise, what constitutes a “destination?” For Lexie and Ian, Lansing turned out to be the prime location for a destination wedding.

During their stay in Michigan for their wedding, and afterward for their honeymoon in Grand Rapids, the two were amazed by how much the region had grown and developed while they had been away. “We felt so many good vibes as we walked along the beautiful river and in the clean and vibrant downtown area,” Lexie recalled. During their honeymoon was when they realized that they felt “at home” here. They also thought it would be a nice place to relocate to for both their careers and to be closer to family again.

When Ian’s commitment with the Navy ended, Lexie said they felt like they “had the world at our feet.” They were sold on Grand Rapids from their experience here as newlyweds and decided it was the perfect fit for them. “When we came back  to West Michigan, we were both looking for new jobs, both needing new cars, and a place to live,” said Lexie. “We were essentially starting over here.”

As they waited for their belongings to arrive via cargo ship from Hawaii, Lexie and Ian slept on an air mattress and used lawn chairs. But during their furniture-less transition,  they were both able to land “amazing jobs with great companies”, pursuing their passions for Ophthalmology and Financial Advising after arriving. Their careers are thriving here in West Michigan, and they are looking forward to their first West Michigan summer and meeting new friends in the area.

The couple lives at 616 Lofts on Alabama on Grand Rapids’ Westside. It puts them in the perfect position to enjoy some of the best restaurants and breweries Grand Rapids has to offer on Bridge Street. Their favorites are Sovengard and Harmony Hall, but they are excited to continue trying new places. Like many West Michiganders, they also love being near the water. They dabble in nature photography and are finding incredible places to shoot as they adventure around the area. The transition from Hawaii to Michigan has been quite the change, but the more they explore and see, the more they know they made the right decision.