Over the years, I have come to believe that Lakewood has a special draw for folks from out of town, out of state and out of the country. The community appeals to such transplants for a number of external reasons – the architecture, the topography, the historic charm and frankly just the curb appeal of our entire neighborhood. For those looking for a place to settle down, other North Texas neighborhoods, with their long flat streets, ranch- style homes, alleys, limited trees and large big-box retailers on every corner just feel too foreign a design to feel “homey.” Then of course, once you arrive in East Dallas, the people here just win you over! So personally, I have always felt that our corner of Dallas is the most logical place for transplants and relocating families to plant their roots.

Being a transplant myself (albeit many, many moons ago) it’s easy to forget that history isn’t just on our streets; but also that many of my friends and neighbors were born here and chose to come right back here to raise their own family. These families are a product of our local schools, have reinvested in our neighborhoods and have made it what it is today. 

Matt & Stephanie (Taylor) Muckleroy and their family are just that. Not only did these two choose to build a home in the very neighborhood where Stephanie grew up, but after being set up on their first date while Matt was searching to purchase his first home (friends unabashedly say that had he chosen any neighborhood other than Lakewood that their story might have ended then and there), the couple has built their home, their family and their careers in Lakewood. Stephanie is a Dallas native that grew up in Lakewood, attended Bishop Lynch, and went on to Texas Tech University before coming right back to East Dallas to begin her career in marketing. One of her childhood besties and neighborhood friends arranged for Stephanie to meet Matt and their fairytale is still unfolding

After several years of dating, they planned a Sonoma, California wedding in Fall 2017. Unfortunately, wildfires had other plans. After a difficult decision to postpone their wedding, they were able to be married a few months later in March 2018 in Sonoma with the very same plan intact. Their choice of the Sonoma venue tells you that their second love in 2018 was food and wine, or their Ridgeback puppy, Samson, who also came along around that time. 

Today, food and wine have taken a back seat for Matt & Stephanie to their two children, Bodie (4) and Asher (2). However, the couple still enjoy their food and wine. You can find them as regulars at Taco Joint, El Vecino or on a date night at Matt’s local favorite, Lounge Here. Plus, they love trying out the newest places. 

Matt, a native of The Woodlands, Texas is a graduate of Texas A&M University and later SMU Law School. Matt is a trial lawyer and Partner at the commercial litigation firm, Crawford, Wishnew & Lang. Not only does he love his job, but he excels at it. A few of Matt’s specialties include real estate litigation, employment law, construction litigation and healthcare litigation, to name a few. Before he decided on commercial litigation, Matt worked briefly in finance for Bank of America’s investment bank here in Dallas. He even dreamed of a career in the FBI, where Matt can tell you stories of pulling his hamstring while completing the physical fitness portion of the application process (if you were present that day on the Lake Highlands High School track, Matt apologizes for what you witnessed) . 

Stephanie is as hyper- local as they come. Growing up in Lakewood and with a career that puts her neighborhood knowledge and network to use as the Vice President of business development for Republic Title of Lakewood; she has her finger on the pulse of the neighborhood at all times. Stephanie’s virtual rolodex includes everyone who is and ever was anyone in Lakewood – generations of students, teachers, parents, business owners and of course all the realtors! In addition to her time spent with Lakewood Early Childhood PTA, and her work as a change maker on the board of the East Dallas Chamber of Commerce; her time at Republic Title keeps her at the forefront of the ever changing and exciting real estate landscape in Lakewood. Republic Title is one of the oldest businesses and the oldest title company in Lakewood at 25+ years old, and as what was once old becomes new again, Stephanie has a front seat for it all. Her passion for our community is contagious to all those around her and her energy and enthusiasm are a joy to be around!

Together Matt & Stephanie are sharing their love of everything local with their young sons. They are regular visitors to the Dallas Arboretum, White Rock Lake and our local playgrounds. Matt is even trying his hand at coaching Bodie’s’ T-ball team. Many of Bodie and Asher’s friends’ parents grew up here in Lakewood just like their mom. And the boys are into everything! A few of the current favorites include sports of all kinds, Spiderman, Paw Patrol, dinosaurs, dressing in costume, Super Mario Bros. and cars. 

Together as a family, the Muckleroy’s enjoy visiting Cinnamon Shores in Port Aransas, supporting the Grant Halliburton Foundation, and are looking forward to a vacation in the mountains. The family’s Ridgeback, Samson, is along for the ride and enjoys Lakewood for the lake and the walks as much as the rest of the gang. The family’s favorite day of the year in the neighborhood is the 4th of July and all that goes with it. Stephanie says it is exactly as it was when she was a child and she loves preserving and sharing that tradition with Bodie and Asher. 

The Muckleroy’s story was a super fun one for me to share. Being in local real estate, I have known and worked with Stephanie professionally for over 10 years. To know them comes with a lot of laughs, a lot of surprises and the occasional Ranch Water. As our neighborhood continues to grow and change, we are fortunate to have the Muckleroy’s with both history, vision and a long and bright future to preserve and improve the traditions, spirit and landscape of our Lakewood.