“We met in high school when we were 16 and 17 years old at The Marketplace at the fountain,” says Leah of meeting her husband Curtis Huge (pronounced “hu-gee”). Although the fountain is no longer there, they still hold that precious memory near and dear to their hearts.  

 

“We started dating in college,” says Curtis. He got a football scholarship to Central Michigan University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics before getting a job in Michigan.  

 

“I was finishing up junior college and went to school in Michigan also,” points out Leah. She joined Curtis, although she attended Eastern Michigan University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations. Following graduation, the two moved back to Bakersfield in 2015. Both Leah and Curtis both moved to Bakersfield at the age of 4 and it’s home sweet home to them.  

 

In 2016, they took the next step in their relationship, getting married in the company of friends and family. They began a new chapter in their life together and are blessed with two children. Hayden turned 5 this past December and attends Highgate Elementary. Their son Bennett was born this past spring and is a delight. Their two dogs, Sookie and Maisy, round out the family.  

“They love each other,” smiles Leah. “They are besties.” Sookie, who is a one-eyed Shih Tzu, was a wedding present from Curtis to her. As for Maisy, a mini Golden Aussiedoodle, Leah got this precious pet for her daughter. They make their house a home with their playful antics and unconditional love.  

 

When not enjoying family life, Curtis serves as the Chief Operating Officer for an independent oil producer in California. Leah, on the other hand, spent two years working at a local television station before launching her own public relations business. Specializing in nonprofit PR, Leah manages projects for clients like the Kern Energy Foundation, an organization that provides scholarships for students pursuing degrees in oil and gas. “Curtis works in oil, and I help represent the oil industry,” Leah explains, adding that they often collaborate on events and sponsorships for these causes. 

 

Leah describes their household as “fun chaos,” where teamwork is key. “We divide up the work. My work is project-based, and I have a lot of free time to do all the day-to-day tasks with the kids,” she says. Curtis helps out with morning routines and bedtime, ensuring a balance of responsibilities between the two. 

 

Weekends with the Huge family are all about making the most of their time together. Saturdays are typically filled with activities for Hayden, like playdates and soccer, along with outdoor play, trips to the park, or swimming. “We love to grab coffee from local shops on the weekends,” Leah adds. Sundays are reserved for church at The Bridge Bible Church, followed by family outings, often including trips to the beach, where their dogs join in the fun. 

 

Curtis enjoys staying active, with a love for outdoor activities like swimming, hiking, and playing basketball. Leah, on the other hand, enjoys shopping, having lunch with friends, and indulging in her passion for baking and cooking. “I come from a long line of women who love to bake,” Leah says. “Cookies, cupcakes, muffins—everything. I also love to cook and host people at our house.” 

 

This December marks three years since Leah and Curtis moved into their home in Highgate Seven Oaks. “We moved in on December 29, 2021, from The Oaks neighborhood,” Leah explains. They immediately fell in love with the walkability and safety of Highgate. “It feels like a resort here,” Leah says. Living just one street away from the pavilion, they can hear the sound of children playing in the pool and enjoy the abundance of kids in the neighborhood, which makes it feel like a true community for their own children. 

 

Leah and Curtis have been chipping away at DIY projects to make their house a home, from installing shiplap accent walls to landscaping the backyard. “We remodeled our previous house in The Oaks, and when we moved here, we had a blank canvas to make our own,” Leah says. Room by room, they are putting their personal stamp on their beautiful home. 

 

From raising two wonderful children to building a life in Seven Oaks, the Huge family embodies what it means to make a house a home, filled with love and laughter. 

 

If you see them out and about, be sure to say hello. Leah and Curtis would love to meet more friendly folks here in the neighborhood (and that means you!).