5 minute read
The Morans: A Dream Life in Marple
The Morans: A Dream Life in Marple
Photography by Michele Moran Photography www.michelemoranphotography.com
Written by Craig Whitney
Michele and Stephen Moran have found their dream home in Marple, two self-starter entrepreneurs making a living out of what they love to do. Everything is fast and energetic in their home, and most of the time that’s exactly how they like it.
Michele and Sephen Moran of Broomall, PA
Photography by Michele Moran Photography www.michelemoranphotography.com
The two met in Wildwood when they were 20 and 21. Michele was good friends with Stephen’s niece, who is also their age. There is a significant age gap between Stephen and his older brother.
“She was just there to hang out with Steph, but through my charm, I was able to win her over,” Stephen joked.
After years of dating, Michele and Stephen got married and currently have five children and another on the way.
Stephen, nine years old, is the oldest of their children. He is sensitive and sweet, and an expert paper airplane maker. He takes pride in how fast he can make them, always working to get faster and have them fly farther.
The Moran boys (L to R): Stephen and Shawn
Photography by Michele Moran Photography www.michelemoranphotography.com
Christie, seven years old, is a naturally gifted singer. She is in second grade at Saint Annie’s and has an incredibly generous heart toward her family and friends at school. Her only wish for Christmas was gifts for the ones she loves.
The Moran girls (Left to right): Bridget, Christie and Cara
Photography by Michele Moran Photography www.michelemoranphotography.com
Cara, six years old, is in first grade at Saint Annie’s. Her favorite thing to do is play in the snow and color. She is fierce, strong-spirited and can make her whole family laugh.
Bridget, five years old, is in pre-K and is very soft-spoken. If she had it her way, she would wear a full dress to school every day. She is musical like her older sisters, and wants to learn how to play the guitar when she gets older.
Shawn is the youngest at three years old. He is very adventurous and loves to play, and Michele takes pride in the fact that, no matter how many times he may stumble and fall, he gets right back up with a smile on his face.
Having children in such quick succession has been an exciting challenge for Michele and Stephen. There are benefits and costs to having kids that close together, but seeing all the kids playing together and growing up as close friends makes it all worth it ten times over.
When Michele and Stephen aren’t busy raising five children that are all still single-digit years, they are chasing their dreams professionally. Michele created her own business as a wedding photographer out of night classes and a natural skill for business. Through that sheer determination, Michele has built a company that has become an incredibly successful operation. She shot over forty weddings this year, as well as corporate headshots, family photo shoots and resort photography.
The resort photography has been especially fun for Michele. She and Stephen traveled to St. Lucia this summer to photograph a resort by the beach. With a mountain range behind them and the Caribbean in front, the two spent four days in paradise while she photographed everything the resort had to offer.
Stephen works as an IT specialist for Garnet Valley school district, overseeing the entire school district’s technology departments. Stephen gets to travel from school to school, overseeing operations and working with specialists from each school. It’s a job Stephen takes a lot of pride in and is able to take advantage of his education in computer technology, but it was clear that his second job is where he feels truly fulfilled.
On nights and weekends, Stephen joins his longtime friend to form an Irish duo called Moran and Kelly that performs at shows, corporate events and wedding cocktail hours. The combination of his passion for music and being able to perform with his good friend as a job is a dream come true for Stephen.
“It’s for fun, and it’s a little side gig,” Stephen explained. “And doing it with a long-time buddy makes it that much easier. We get along great, we never fight or anything.”
Michele rolled her eyes at this remark jokingly, and the two broke out laughing. “He loves saying that, I see him posting pictures of him and his bandmate all the time, and I always say to him ‘I don’t see you posting photos of your wife this often’,” Michele laughed.
The life Michele and Stephen have thoughtfully crafted in Marple has been years in the making. Stephen grew up in Broomall, and would always rave about the community to his wife while they lived elsewhere.
The pair first started their family in a row home that quickly became small as their family grew. Before they were able to find their dream home, the two would drive their children to Saint Annie’s in Marple every day. The long drive would be a daily encouragement to move their family to Marple that eventually became a reality.
The Moran life is loud and energetic, often unpredictable but entirely enjoyable. There are kids running around the home throwing paper airplanes and singing. Michele gets home late from capturing a wedding and Stephen gets home late from performing as an Irish duo at a local bar. Things can get hectic, but the Morans know how to take the most out of life and cherish what they earned.
“One of our favorite things to do is have a cup of coffee together on our deck when the weather is nice, and when it’s cold we sit on the couch and look out at our street,” Michele said with a sigh. “Over two years after moving in, we’re still obsessed with our house and street.”
The family was able to take a vacation to the Poconos to celebrate Bridget’s birthday. Quality time with family can be hard to find at times, so getting the opportunity to slow down and appreciate the life they have is incredibly valuable. Once they all do manage to slow down and look around, it becomes clear that what they have is exactly what they always wanted: a dream in Marple that changes and grows with every day.
