He says one thing. She says another. They agree to disagree or don't disagree at all.
"Some people think we probably argue a lot," says Aaron Matthews. "It's not as crazy as you think," says Emily Matthews.
"It's actually allowed us to avoid some of the issues lots of professional couples face," says Aaron of being married to another lawyer. "We understand what each other does, and the pressures we both face. So that helps."
What also keeps these two alumni of the Indiana University School of Law so compatible is their shared mindset of making Greater Lansing their home base—something they didn't foresee when they moved here for careers in the early 2000s.
"Just a while ago we were talking and realized it has been years since we talked about moving," says Aaron. "I guess that means we've settled."
Hearth and home
Emily came to town first. Then Aaron. As a newly minted graduate, Emily took a job at Foster Swift Collins & Smith, P.C. while Aaron stayed behind in Indiana. A year later, Aaron packed up and headed east, settling with his soon wife-to-be in Greater Lansing.
"Early on, we talked a lot about potentially leaving for larger cities in the Midwest," says Emily, who now works as associate general counsel for Delta Dental in Okemos.
"But over time, we started to realize what a great network we had built here," says Aaron who is a managing member of Clark Hill's Lansing office where he practices law.
That network, Aaron and Emily agree, far surpasses the reach of networks they have seen other friends weave in bigger cities. "In this community, you can get a few people together and correct what you see as a deficiency," says Aaron. "And conversely, you have the ability to effect positive change."
Emily nods and completes his sentence.
"That's what kept us here," she says.
"That and you get the big town benefits with a small town commute," Aaron smiles.
D
oing culture
Since day one, the Matthews have immersed themselves in living and shaping Lansing culture.
"When we came here, our impression was that there wasn't a whole lot for young professionals to do," says Emily. "In the 12 or so years we've been here, it has really picked up, largely because of people who have taken the time to get involved."
Emily reached out and became chair of the Lansing Economic Club. Aaron worked with new friends to strengthen and lead Grand River Connection—a networking group for young professionals. One thing led to another, Aaron says, resulting in a handful of small, but effective projects that energized Lansing urban life through a conglomerate of young professionals.
"We found some 'doers' and if we had an idea, we'd work to make it happen," says Aaron. "Our focus was to help make our town enterprising and entrepreneurial through the sweat, effort and elbow grease of some committed people."
Aaron listed some of the projects that sprung from the city's young professional movement, including such now well-recognized events, activities and places as the Capital City Film Festival, Fiction 440, Art Alley, the Neo Center, Ignite Lansing and TEDx Lansing.
"One of the beauties of this town is you can accomplish a lot without waiting for someone to write a check," observes Aaron of Lansing's egalitarian nature. "It's almost more genuine when you can get something to happen that way."
Old Town Cheers
Inspired by the successes of their group ventures, the Matthews decided to add to the texture of their personal and professional lives by becoming part of Lansing's small business network.
Aaron says he grew to appreciate the strength of Lansing's small business community after Clark Hill moved to Old Town. He became involved in the Old Town Commercial Association, and saw even more how the district had become a small business community rather than a strip of unrelated shops.
"I met some really great people like Robert Busby who were incredibly inspiring," says Aaron. "I saw very quickly the positive changes they could effect and how happy that made them. I got hooked."
Aaron acted quickly when two landmark properties went up for sale on Old Town's eastern edge. Joining with entrepreneurs Alan Hooper and Sam Short, Aaron invested in the Temple Club in 2007, and a few months later, in
Zoobie's Old Town Tavern
"We decided over a beer to start renovation," says Aaron of the day he sat down with his business partners in the historic Old Town bar. "We knew we had a potential gem."
Aaron said he and Emily knew they were taking a risk since the economic downturn had made financing nearly impossible.
"But we saw it, said let's get it done, and we did it," says Aaron. "We did it by putting sweat and skin into the game and with help from volunteers and friends."
After about six years of envisioning, remodeling and refurbishing, Zoobie's reopened in the summer of 2013. Old Town's reception far surpassed anything the Matthews had dared to dream.
"We thought it would just be a place where our friends hung out at happy hour," says Aaron. "But it's been more successful than we thought. The community has embraced it and it seems to have filled a void in Old Town and Lansing for a neighborhood tavern."
For the Matthews, the diversity of the bar's clientele has made them the happiest. People of all ages and backgrounds walk through the doors, Aaron says, including business people who enjoy the ambiance for brainstorming or other informal meetings.
"Zoobie's is a microcosm of Old Town and Lansing in general," says Aaron. "There's a real sense of community there."
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Ann Kammerer is a freelance writer for Capital Gains.
Photos ©
Dave Trumpie
Dave Trumpie is the managing photographer for Capital Gains. He is a freelance photographer and owner of
Trumpie Photography.