The Richards Family

Love, Laughter and Little Ones

by Sheila Turner-Hilliard

Photos by Crissy Everhart Photography www.CrissyEverhart.com

Newtown Edgmont Friends & Neighbors is proud to introduce you to our inaugural featured family: The Richards. Ryan, Alyssa and their four children call Edgmont home in a neigh borhood that stands the test of time, not just in years, but for multiple generations of families.

Ryan grew up in Edgmont Township with his parents and two younger sisters. When Ryan was five years old, his parents moved from Drexel Hill to the Castle Rock section of Newtown Square, located in Edgmont Township. He attended Rose Tree Elementary, Springton Lake Middle School and graduated from Penncrest High School, where he played football and lacrosse.

After high school, Ryan studied construction management technology at Delaware County Community College. Today Ryan works for the Delaware County Water Quality Control Authority (DELCORA) in their maintenance department. DELCORA is a municipal authority in wastewater facilities' construction, operation and management.

I like that my job allows me to solve problems and be part of the solution,” he said. “I also enjoy traveling around the county and interacting with engineers, technicians and customers.

Ryan is also the elected Auditor for Edgmont Township. “My mom served as the township’s auditor for many years,” he explained. “She moved out of Edgmont in 2016 and I was asked to take the position.” Ryan agreed to serve a term and was recently re-elected to continue his role.

Alyssa spent her childhood in Glen Mills with her parents and two sisters. She went to Boothwyn Elementary, Charles F. Patton Middle School and graduated from Unionville High School. Her education continued after graduation at Empire Beauty School for Cosmetology.

I knew from an early age that I wanted a career in Cosmetology,” Alyssa said. “I grew up watching my aunt work in the field, and I knew that’s what I wanted to pursue.

Alyssa said that while in high school, she would do all her friends’ hair, either just for fun or for proms and special events. Alyssa has been in the industry for 16 years now and is still just as passionate about helping people feel good about themselves as she was when she started. “I especially love working with brides and wedding parties,” Alyssa said. “It means a lot to me to be a part of their special day.”

Aylssa and Ryan Richards

Ryan and Alyssa met in West Chester in 2011 through mutual friends. Alyssa said that a few of her friends kept trying to set her up with this really great guy, but she wanted nothing to do with going on a blind date.

So, my friends asked if they could invite Ryan to the New Year’s Eve party that I was hosting,” she said. “Looks like our friends knew us very well because we immediately hit it off and started dating.

Ryan explained that he and Alyssa just clicked. “We shared so many of the same interests,” he said. “We dated for three years, then got engaged.” The couple tied the knot in 2016 at St. Mary Magdalen Church and celebrated with family and friends at The Desmond in Malvern. One of Ryan and Alyssa’s common interests is traveling, so they booked a honeymoon on St. Martin and enjoyed riding horses on the beach, boating, snorkeling and soaking in the stunning sunsets.

After the honeymoon, the newlyweds returned to life in West Chester and began the search for their forever home. Both Ryan and Alyssa knew they wanted to stay in the area because their families were nearby, but finding the right home wasn’t an easy task.

We wanted to live in a great neighborhood, with great neighbors, great schools and lots of kids,” Ryan said. “You know, just like the kind of neighborhood that I grew up in.

They say that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, it’s green where you water it and for Ryan and Alyssa, that meant settling down in Ryan’s childhood home. “The timing was perfect,” Ryan explained. “Just as my mom was looking to downsize, we were starting our family, so we purchased the home from her in 2017.”

Alyssa said they absolutely love the Castle Rock community.

It’s such a great neighborhood to live in and raise a family,” she said. “It’s quiet and secluded, yet just steps from shops, restaurants and the movie theater.

Ryan said that he loves that there are 2nd, 3rd and even 4th generations of families in Castle Rock. There are many kids running around, a park at the bottom of the street, and caring neighbors looking out for each other. They feel right at home.

Ryan and Alyssa Richards with the kids at the neighborhood park

Today, their home is filled with lots of love, laughter and little ones! Ryan and Alyssa have four active children who love to play and explore. Family time is very important to them, so when they’re not at work or in school, you’ll find them playing sports, fishing in Crum Creek, playing outside and decorating their front lawn for their favorite holiday – Halloween! Ryan and Alyssa are also gearing up for a home renovation that will give them the space they need in the neighborhood they love.

Ella is Alyssa and Ryan’s oldest. She is an outgoing seven-yearold who just started second grade at Rose Tree Elementary. Ella loves playing soccer and softball and recently expressed interest in playing lacrosse. Alyssa said that Ella is an awesome big sister and loves spending time with her younger siblings.

Next in line is five-year-old Tristan, who just joined Ella at Rose Tree Elementary for Kindergarten. Ryan described Tristan as quiet and shy but loves to play and has such a big heart. Tristan enjoys playing sports like baseball, football, soccer and lacrosse.

Three-year-old Declan is the family’s life of the party! He is Mr. Personality who loves to make everyone laugh. Like his big brother, Declan also loves to play sports. Alyssa said that everyone knows when Declan has entered the room.

Rounding out the bunch is one-year-old Eva. She may be the baby of the family, but Eva is quickly learning how to keep up with her sister and brothers. Ryan and Alyssa said that Eva loves to be outside and doesn’t want to miss out on what her older siblings are doing. Alyssa said that Eva does have a sweet, shy side, too and loves playing with her baby dolls.

Ryan and Alyssa certainly have their hands full with work, school, sports and community activities, but they always find time for family fun both at home and on the road. Every summer, they vacation with extended family in Ocean City, NJ and have hit the road to spend time in the Poconos, Myrtle Beach, Jamaica, Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Last fall Ryan and Alyssa had the opportunity to take a little trip to Boston and Salem, MA, without the kids.

We took a long weekend," Alyssa said. "And experienced all the Halloween, fall activities and rich history of the area, which was so much fun!

On behalf of your Newtown Edgmont Friends & Neighbors, we would like to thank Ryan and Alyssa for sharing your family’s story in our very first issue. We enjoyed getting to know you and look forward to watching your beautiful family grow.

Do you know a Newtown Edgmont family, individual or nonprofit group who should become known by our community? Make your nominations for upcoming feature articles by emailing your ideas to Sheila Turner-Hilliard at STurnerHilliard@BestVersionMedia.com.