From the moment Kristopher and Leanna Pender locked eyes in the halls of Lapeer East High School as freshmen, their love story was set in motion. What began as fleeting hallway chats after fifth hour soon turned into AOL IM messages, then two-hour phone conversations that stretched late into the night. Twenty-one years later, their love has not only endured but flourished, growing from young romance into a full and vibrant life filled with four beautiful children, two lively dogs, and a home that hums with laughter, sports, and the warmth of family traditions.
Their journey together has been built on devotion and an unshakable partnership. After years of making memories over Dairy Queen trips and ice cream runs before movie nights at Great Lakes Crossing, Kris and Leanna tied the knot on a perfect summer day in 2013. The wedding, held at Calvary Bible Church with a reception at Davison Country Club, was a true celebration of their love, filled with dancing, photo booth props, and the joyous mingling of two families becoming one. To this day, Leanna and Kris recall it as one of the most cherished days of their lives, one they would relive in a heartbeat.
Leanna’s dedication to her career is only matched by her dedication to her family. After graduating from Saginaw Valley State University with a Bachelor’s in Biology and an Associate’s in Chemistry, she went on to earn her Doctorate of Optometry from the Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University in 2016. Now working part-time at both Opticare Vision Center and Lapeer County Vision Center, she adores her patients—especially children—and has a passion for Vision Therapy. Meanwhile, Kris played a vital role in supporting her through school, working tirelessly in a variety of roles before spending nearly a decade at PTL Engineering, where he rose from production and welding to management and purchasing. In 2021, he made the bold decision to pursue his dream of law enforcement, excelling at the Police Academy at Mott Community College, where he earned the Outstanding Performance Award and was elected class Spokesperson. After gaining invaluable experience with the Flint City Police Department, he transitioned in 2023 to work closer to home with the Lapeer City and Lapeer Township Police Departments.
Beyond their demanding careers, Kris and Leanna have built a home filled with laughter, sports, and tight-knit family bonds. Anneliese, 9, has embraced softball with enthusiasm, playing on a 12U travel team coached by her uncle, alongside her cousin, while their grandfather provides additional training sessions. Klayton, 7, is a sports fanatic, diving headfirst into baseball through the Elba Baseball and Softball Association and youth basketball. While Kennedy, 4, and Jordyn, just 10 months old in April, are still too young to hit the field, they have become professional spectators, cheering on their older siblings at games and tournaments.
Family traditions run deep in the Pender household. Movie nights, themed birthday cakes baked from scratch, and the simple joy of picking out groceries for family dinners are staples of their daily life. Kris finds solace in house projects, yard work, target shooting, and sports, while Leanna finds joy in themed parties and engaging with the community through organizations like MomCo. She has even taken on the role of coordinating speakers for the group. Assisting with eye dissections for local schools and lending her expertise to curious young minds, Leanna says, "I love getting involved with the cow/sheep eye dissections with the school. I have been very happy to assist North Branch 7th graders and Mrs. Sherrib for the past 3 years. I am also very willing to help in any of the Lapeer schools needing assistance with this."
The Penders' home, built in 2021 and completed in the summer of 2023, is a true testament to their commitment to family. Nestled just outside the city of Lapeer, their neighborhood is a dream come true. Living next door to Kris’s brother and his family, the cousins have formed an unbreakable bond, spending countless hours playing in the snow, bouncing on trampolines, and making lifelong memories. The Penders also consider themselves incredibly lucky to have wonderful neighbors who have welcomed them with open arms, from hosting game nights to an annual Oktoberfest celebration. Having both sets of grandparents nearby has been a blessing, allowing the kids to develop strong connections with the family members who have shaped their parents’ lives.
Of course, no household is complete without its four-legged members. Cooper, their loyal and loving Black Lab, has been a steady presence in their lives, while Molly, a high-energy Belgian Malinois, has brought a new layer of excitement to their daily routine. The decision to bring Molly home when Jordyn was just three months old was a testament to the Penders’ all-in approach to life—if they were already navigating sleepless nights, why not add a puppy to the mix? Chaos, perhaps, but also a great deal of love and joy.
Raising a family of four children is no small feat, but the Penders are guided by one simple principle: the Golden Rule—treat others the way you want to be treated. It’s a message they instill in their children daily, encouraging kindness, empathy, and the courage to stand up for others. With Kris’s unwavering sense of duty and Leanna’s nurturing spirit, they strive to raise kids who not only succeed in their own lives but who also lend a helping hand to those in need.
Though travel has taken a backseat in recent years, the Penders hold dear their past adventures in Florida and Colorado, and they look forward to making new memories when the time is right. For now, they are focused on the joy found in the everyday—cheering on their kids from the sidelines, sharing laughter over birthday cake mishaps, and embracing the simple beauty of a life built on love, faith, and community.
The Pender family embodies the spirit of Lapeer—rooted in tradition, fueled by hard work, and bound by an unbreakable love for one another. Their story is a reminder that the greatest joys in life are often found in the simplest of moments: a game of catch in the yard, the warmth of a neighbor’s kindness, or a shared Dairy Queen treat on a chilly Michigan day.
Photography by: Todoroff Media