Reyna Squared: A Military Family's Journey from Car Lots to Community
Photo by Karen Presecan
Some love stories begin with dramatic gestures or romantic settings. Others start with a simple name tag at a car dealership. For Jose and Reyna Reyna, their 30-year journey together began with what might be the most uniquely memorable pickup line in dating history.It was 1991 at Security Chevrolet in Vista,
California, when Jose walked onto the lot looking for a new vehicle. His sales representative approached him, and Jose couldn't help but notice her name tag read "Reyna" – his own surname. The coincidence was too perfect to ignore.
"I jokingly suggested that if she married me, her name would be Reyna Reyna," Jose recalls with a laugh. The response from his future wife was swift and decisive: "She quickly dismissed the idea with a 'that wouldn't happen.'"
But fate had other plans. She went out line dancing with Jose's entire platoon for their "first date," which was "too much fun." Jose must have had some great moves because two years later, Reyna accepted his marriage proposal, and she officially became Reyna Reyna in 1994– a name that would become the foundation of an incredible family story spanning three decades, multiple states, and countless adventures.
Today, the Reynas have built their home in Stafford, Virginia, where they've planted roots after Jose's distinguished 30-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps. At 58, Jose now works for Claxton Logistics, while Reyna, 55, has channeled her University of Southern California (USC) master's degree in social work into a career at Radley Chevrolet – returning to the automotive industry where their love story began.
While their story initially began on the West Coast, where Reyna did much of the child-rearing alone, like many military spouses, they've settled down nicely here in Stafford. Equipped with a sense of humor and some grit, Reyna raised some incredible humans. Miguel, 40, earned his Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from George Mason University and now works for Northrop Grumman. Victoria, 30, graduated from San Diego State with a degree in Computer Science, recently completed her Master’s degree in Software Engineering at Penn State, and is employed by Skylla Engineering.
The younger siblings continue the family tradition of academic excellence. Cristian, 22, is a senior communications major at Messiah University, while Anali, 20, is pursuing Chemical Engineering as a sophomore at Virginia Commonwealth University. The family honors the memory of Citali, who passed away in 2001, as well.
The family also includes Reyna and Jose's two "bonus kids," Stephanie, 41, who holds a Doctorate in Health and Human Services from USC and works for Jenesse Center, and Jonathan, 30, a senior at Kansas State University who works for Blue Beacon.
Military life shaped much of the family's early years, but not in the traditional way. Instead of moving all of the kids and uprooting them every three years, Reyna and Jose decided to live apart for the majority of Jose's military career. While it was difficult, Reyna appreciated being able to "choose her hard" and stayed in California, where she had a support system. Jose, who would not have seen his family much anyway as a Marine infantryman constantly on deployments, lived as a "geo-bachelor". The Reynas chose stability, and it paid off for their children.
"Our children were actively involved in varsity and travel sports and the performing arts throughout their high school years," Jose explains. "They have enjoyed everything from band to chorus and participated in countless travel adventures, not uncommon with the military lifestyle."
After decades of living apart, the Reynas– as an entire family unit– went through their first and last permanent change of station (PCS) when Jose received orders to the Pentagon. "We arrived in Stafford in 2015 after retiring from the U.S. Marine Corps," Jose explains. "We chose this area because it was excellent for our children, provided job opportunities, and had a hometown atmosphere."
The decision proved perfect for a family that values both community and opportunity. "We enjoy Stafford because we are centrally located to many attractions and places to visit and have plenty of space where we don't feel confined," Reyna says. This central location allows them to maintain their love for exploration while finally putting down roots.
As military children, they also understand the meaning of the word 'sacrifice' and choose to give back now, too, developing a strong sense of service. "As young adults, they are active and involved with our Local Veterans of Foreign War Post 290 and other veteran organizations," Reyna notes. Cris, Anali, and Jose all umpire baseball and softball as well.
The family has wholeheartedly embraced local life. "We particularly enjoy Old Town Fredericksburg and Central Park as it has many dining and entertainment options," Jose shares. "A family favorite is Sedona, as well as Firebirds restaurants." But it's the community connections that truly make Stafford feel like home. "We enjoy our little community and all our neighbors," Reyna says. "The highlight is the 4th of July, as we get to see so many different fireworks all around us, and our yearly 'Fall Festival' is celebrated in the neighborhood."
When not exploring local attractions, Reyna maintains her own passions and community involvement. She enjoys crocheting and salsa dancing when she's not helping families find their perfect vehicle. Her commitment to service continues through volunteer work at Quantico Marine Corps Base, where she assists military families with finding needed resources while stationed in the area. Giving her talents and insights isn't anything new to Reyna, as she has served as the Director for Blue Star Families, FRG groups, and numerous other organizations that support our military families and provide resources and community.
Of course, the Reyna household wouldn't be complete without their three beloved dogs: Freida, a 6-year-old Dachshund; Osito, a 4-year-old Terrier; and Tenoch, a 3-year-old American Bull Terrier. These furry family members add to the warmth and energy of a home that has always centered itself around togetherness and adventure.
Speaking of adventure, the Reynas maintain one cherished annual tradition that perfectly captures their family spirit. "We are a Disney family and make the annual trip to Florida to relax and enjoy the happiest place on earth," Jose reveals. After years of military moves and the structured life of service, these Disney trips represent pure family joy and the freedom to enjoy being together.
For those looking to connect with the Reyna family professionally, Jose encourages everyone to visit Reyna at Radley Chevrolet, where every interaction is "A Memorable Experience" – a fitting tagline for a woman whose own memorable experience began with a chance meeting at a car dealership thirty years ago.
From that fateful day in California to their thriving life in Stafford, the Reynas represent the best of military families: resilient, deeply committed to service, and dedicated to both community and each other– with the added bonus of a sense of humor. Their story proves that sometimes the most beautiful journeys begin with the simplest moments – and, occasionally, the perfect name tag.
