From Marines to Music: The Bon-Ami Family's Journey of Service and Community

Photo by Karen Presecan

In the quiet cul-de-sac of their Stafford home, the Bon-Ami family has built something remarkable: a life woven together by service, faith, and an unwavering commitment to community. What began with a chance meeting at a gospel concert in Miami has blossomed into a story that spans continents, careers, and countless acts of giving back.

A Love Story Born from Loss and Hope

On August 8, 2001, Carline and Lou met in Miami, FL, where they both grew up. But this wasn't just any ordinary meeting. Lou, then a young active-duty U.S. Marine, had returned home on what the military calls "humanitarian leave" because his mother was terminally ill with brain cancer.

"Lou often considers the poetic nature of this part of their story, of losing the most important woman in his life (his mother) and seamlessly gaining his bride," Carline reflects. That gospel concert meeting led to a three-year long-distance relationship before they married on June 8, 2004, beginning a partnership that would take them around the world and back again.

Building Careers Rooted in Service

Both Carline and Lou come from traditions of helping others. "Carline comes from a family line of healthcare providers and social workers, so it was natural that she pursued a career in nursing," Lou explains. After graduating from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Arts in Nursing, Carline worked as a medical-surgical nurse in San Diego, a clinical nurse in Kingston, Jamaica, and a high school health science teacher in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

Today, Carline has pivoted to her artistic passion, creating Bon-Ami Photography, "a boutique photography company based in Stafford, VA that specializes in creating tailored heirloom pieces such as framed prints, and elegant canvases for clients' homes as well as high-quality albums."

Lou's military career spanned 23 years, during which he "served in over 20 countries across four continents." His dedication to education never wavered, even while serving. He earned a BA in Business Administration, an MA in National Security, and a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from North Carolina A&T State University, and is currently enrolled in an MA in Economics and Education program at Teachers College, Columbia University.

The couple's combined passion for service led them to co-found HopeSpring International, "a faith-based educational and research institute focused on addressing the global teacher shortage by empowering teachers and supporting the development of quality and sustainable education." This venture represents the convergence of their expertise—Carline's healthcare and educational background with Lou's military leadership and academic credentials.

Lou's commitment to leadership continues to evolve. In recent news, Lou has been accepted into “the region's most prestigious leadership development program, Leadership Fredericksburg,” and he is officially part of the Class of 2026.

Raising Champions in Every Arena

The Bon-Ami children embody their parents' values of excellence and service. Aaron, now a freshman majoring in Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University's College of Engineering, "graduated with a 4.0 GPA and held an active commitment to high school sports." He was a lettered varsity athlete in basketball and track and field, adding football during his senior year while serving as a keyboardist for The Mount Church's Student Ministry Band.

Cameron, a junior at Fredericksburg Christian School, "maintains above a 3.5 GPA as an athlete in two highly physical and demanding sports, varsity football and lacrosse." His athletic prowess is notable, too. Last year, Cameron “led his division in tackles, crowning him as the number one linebacker in Virginia, within his division." Like his older brother, Cameron volunteers at The Mount Church, serving as a bassist for both Adult and Student Ministry Bands.

Thirteen-year-old Kayla brings artistic flair to the family. A seventh-grader at Fredericksburg Christian School, she's also a dance student at Barton and Williams, studying multiple genres and styles of dance: ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, tap, and hip hop. Her dedication paid off when "she recently auditioned for and was invited to join the Company at Barton and William Dance Studio."

Finding Home in Stafford

In 2019, the family moved to Stafford from Jacksonville, NC, when Lou was accepted into the Marine Corps Defense Congressional Fellows Program. The family's decision to settle in Stafford was influenced significantly by their faith community. "One of the biggest decisions to live in Stafford was our church, The Mount Church,” Lou explains. “Before moving here, one of our neighbors, including people from our church in Jacksonville, NC recommended that we attend this church,” Carline adds. “We instantly fell in love with it."

The strategic location appeals to them as well. "We really enjoy the idea of being in the national capital region, the center of it all," they note, appreciating that "New York is four hours north and the Carolinas aren't too far as well." As transplanted Floridians with Caribbean heritage, they value that "Virginia Beach is relatively close" and enjoy that "the DMV area is very diverse."

Despite their busy schedules, the Bon-Amis prioritize neighborhood relationships.

"We absolutely love our neighbors and community. Every 4th of July, we get together and enjoy a block party with all our neighbors and friends." They also support local businesses, frequenting Botta Bing Bagel, where they adore the "super sweet Korean couple that owns the shop" and enjoy the tasty bagel sandwiches.

The family's story continues to unfold in Stafford, where military precision meets artistic passion, where individual achievements serve collective good, and where a chance meeting at a gospel concert decades ago continues to create ripples of positive impact throughout their adopted community. From the concert hall in Miami to the cul-de-sacs of Stafford, the Bon-Ami family proves that home isn't just where you settle— it's what you build together.