Love Stories by the Lake: Crystal and Dustin Hawley

“It was just kind of always the two of us, I knew that he was always going to be there for me, and me for him no matter what.”

Some love stories begin with a spark, but for Crystal and Dustin Hawley, theirs grew naturally over time, much like the place they now call home. They met as teenagers at a mutual friend’s party near Lake Anna, unaware that this chance encounter would mark the beginning of a lifelong journey together.

“Our love grew as we did,” Crystal fondly recalls. What began as a youthful connection deepened with each passing year, forming the foundation of their unshakeable bond.

Their most cherished memory is their wedding day, a crisp fall day in 2018 at Rockland Farm. The venue’s rustic barn, set against the vibrant colors of autumn, provided the perfect backdrop for their country-themed celebration. “It was one of the best days of our lives,” Crystal says. “The second was when our son was born.”

For Crystal, who grew up on the lake, life at Lake Anna holds a special kind of nostalgia. Weekends spent on the boat with her dad, swimming and fishing, are memories that have stayed with her. “I love that I can recreate those memories with my husband and son,” she says, reflecting on how life has come full circle.

Living near the lake has enriched their lives in countless ways. “It’s allowed us to meet so many incredible people, a lot of whom we call our family now,” Dustin shares. The friendships they’ve formed here are lasting, creating a sense of community that they treasure as much as the natural beauty of the area.

Through all the milestones—marriage, parenthood, and growing their business—the lake has been a constant presence in their lives. Looking ahead, the Hawleys plan to continue focusing on their family, building memories, and ensuring that Lake Anna remains at the heart of it all for generations to come.

“It was just kind of always the two of us,” Crystal says, her voice filled with love and certainty. “I knew that he was always going to be there for me, and me for him, no matter what.”

Jen Bailey

Hi! I’m Jennifer Bailey and I partner with entrepreneurs who have massive ideas that could change the world. Most marketing is meaningless. Filled with empty promises, its only job is to bring in new traffic, new leads, and new customers. But I’ve drawn a line in the sand, and I’ve learned that marketing can do so much more than reach business goals and build profit. My methods give businesses the fire and soul they need to reach the right people, set the groundwork for sustainable relationships, and offer true value to the people on both the giving and receiving ends of marketing.