We Eloped, We are Just MiddKids!!

OK this one is still debated but Sharon says it all started waaaaaay back at freshman convocation, Sept 1983, when when we were just kids starting at Middlebury College. I guess she was sitting behind me on the balcony in Mead Chapel. There was somebody up front telling us the stats as to how many Middlebury people marry other Midd Kids. Am pretty sure neither of us gave that any thought that day... Long story short, Ben transfers after freshman year back to Occidental College in his home state of California. Nearly 40 years pass and Ben flies back for his gallery show in Philadelphia (summer 2023) where he is exhibiting paintings with The Bridgette Mayer Gallery. It is opening night and people are filling in the gallery space. Suddenly someone walks in. It is Sharon. Ben does a double take... A new story begins… Here’s our story to share: On July 28, we were married in a private ceremony in Los Angeles, just the two of us. We’re now honeymooning on Catalina Island and soaking it all in. We first met as freshmen at Middlebury College—Sharon captained the women’s swim team, and Ben (who would later transfer to Occidental College) was known amongst his good friends as always whining about the cold gray dark winter, while also enjoying good times shared. Sharon would end up spending 9 winters in those cold climes that ended with her earning her graduate degree at UVM. Life took us in different directions, but we reconnected in 2023 at one of Ben’s art openings in Philadelphia. What started as a renewed friendship quickly blossomed—bi-coastal phone calls turned into visits, shared surf/ocean sessions, and long conversations about life, land, passions and dreams. Ben, 60, is a painter known for his luminous coastal landscapes. His work is held in private collections across the country. He also crosses artistic genres through his narrative abstract paintings, offering commentary on the enduring structures of patriarchy embedded in modern culture. He earned a degree in Diplomacy and World Affairs from Occidental College, where he also studied studio arts and art history. He later studied with Wolf Kahn at the Santa Fe Art Institute and worked under John Walker and Bernard Chaet at the Vermont Studio Center. His artistic journey has paralleled a successful career in the decorative arts and interior design worlds. He’s also a lifelong outdoorsman, enjoying fly fishing and exploring the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Sharon, 59, is a conservation strategist and thought leader in nature-based solutions. She works with landowners, towns, and conservation groups to restore habitat and protect the beautiful landscapes of South Carolina’s Lowcountry. She’s also the proud mom of three amazing daughters—Lindsay, Hannah, and Payson—who live in Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C. Together, we’ve built a partnership grounded in creativity, curiosity, and a shared love of the arts and the outdoors. We’ll be making our home in South Carolina while keeping Ben’s art studio thriving in Los Angeles. We’re so grateful for the love and encouragement from friends and family near and far—and we can’t wait to celebrate with you soon. With love, Sharon & Ben