By Debbie Lagestee | Photos by Valerie & Ed Photography
Tyler and Lauren Martin are a fun-loving couple originally from Georgia. While they were students at the University of Georgia, they had the luck of the Irish when they met on St. Patrick’s Day, 2008, through a mutual friend. After meeting Tyler, Lauren confided in her friends and Mom, “I think I met my husband.” Lauren’s premonition came true in 2012. She and Tyler were married on a cold, rainy November Day in Charleston.
Tyler and Lauren both graduated from the University of Georgia. Lauren’s love for music led her to pursue her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. She now works as a part-time music teacher for CCSD at James Simons Montessori School. “I love my job. It’s a fun part of the students’ day. The lessons are educational and enjoyable.” Tyler earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and a Minor in Spanish. In 2010, they moved to Charleston. Tyler continued his education at MUSC, where he received a Master’s degree in Physician Assistant. Tyler is a Physician Assistant at Health First and Roper St. Francis. Although his workdays are long, he loves the variety of his job and that no two days are ever the same. While at UGA, Tyler was one of the team mascots, Spike Dog – the inflatable bulldog mascot. His silly personality was on full display at indoor UGA sporting events, charity events, and other special events on campus. He loved that he could act goofy, do embarrassing things, and nobody knew it was him behind the costume. Tyler and Lauren still love cheering for their favorite team. Go Dawgs!
Lauren and Tyler have 2 children and a dog. Luke is 5 years old, and he will start kindergarten in the fall at the same school where Lauren teaches. It will be interesting to have Luke as one of her own students! Luke loves math and enjoys learning about ancient Egypt. He is a pro at putting together puzzles. Luke is a huge mama’s boy and also loves wrestling with his daddy. He just finished his first season of baseball and loved playing. In addition, he had a great time goofing off with his teammates in the outfield. Kylie Jane is 3 years old. She is active and full of personality, just like her brother. Kylie Jane inherited the music gene; and loves singing and dancing…all day long! She loves books and coloring. She is feisty and sassy, and she is the self-proclaimed “funny one” in her preschool class. Their family pet Macy is a 10-year-old Great Dane rescue. She is very friendly, super sweet, and tolerant with the kids.
In 2019 when Luke was 3 years old, he came up with the idea to lead a parade of bikes around the neighborhood for the 4th of July. They spread the word through their section of the community. Many came out dressed in patriotic gear with their bikes decorated for a super fun and festive 4th of July bike parade. It was declared a success by all who participated.
The Martins are very involved in their church, Redeemer Presbyterian Church in downtown Charleston. Tyler is a deacon, and Lauren volunteers with the nursery and children’s ministry. Their church family is some of their closest friends, and they enjoy meeting with their Community Group each week. Tyler and Lauren live by Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Lauren says, “We are constantly praying and seeking God’s wisdom for raising our kids, loving one another better, and loving our friends and neighbors as well.” Before COVID-19, Lauren hosted a women’s Bible study for ladies in the neighborhood. She hopes to resume this group soon.
Tyler and Lauren moved to Carolina Bay in 2018 when Kylie Jane was only 2 months old because they needed more space for their growing family. They loved the concept of the planned community. Pools, playgrounds, ponds, and sidewalks were a big attraction. The Martins like different ways to explore, taking walks, bike rides, and golf cart rides around the neighborhood. They enjoy meeting friends at the playgrounds and always have a great time at Food Truck Fridays. They feel incredibly blessed they have neighbors who quickly became close friends. Socially distanced gatherings with the neighbors during the height of the COVID quarantine made life much more exciting and joyful during what would have otherwise been a lonely time. In addition, Luke and Kylie Jane love Halloween in the neighborhood! It is a topic of conversation year-round. One of their favorite family Halloween traditions is eating dinner with neighbors and then trick-or-treating together in what they consider the best-decorated Halloween neighborhood in the world. But for them, the best part about living in Carolina Bay is Tyler’s Mom, Holly Martin lives in the neighborhood too! Having the kids’ grandmother in the community is priceless. They can make last-minute plans for dinner or meet at the park to play, and according to Lauren, she is the world’s best babysitter.
Each year for Labor Day weekend, Lauren’s family travels from Atlanta, GA, to make an annual trip to Charleston for a beach vacation. It is always a fun vacation for them and a fun staycation for Tyler, Lauren, and the kids. They have a wonderful time being tourists in their own town. This summer, they are planning a family vacation at Ridgehaven Family Camp in North Carolina. They visited the same camp in 2019 and had a fabulous time. Now it is their goal to make it an annual tradition.
Besides all the neighborhood activity, Lauren also appreciates a lazy morning drinking coffee, reading, and catching a quiet moment to herself. Cooking and crafting are other ways she likes to spend her time. Tyler loves to play golf and go fishing. He and Luke enjoy father-son time fishing in the ponds throughout Carolina Bay. Together the family has fun cruising around the Charleston waterways on their boat. As a musical family, they can often be found singing and dancing at home while Tyler plays the guitar. Sweet little Kylie Jane is fond of making up her own songs! “We love to have fun, we love lazy days, and we love each other so much,” states Lauren. No matter where they go or how they spend their time together is their favorite place to be.