Recently I had the pleasure of visiting CBS News 6 Anchor Julia Dunn and her spouse Erin Leavey in their inviting Saratoga Springs home. The couple became parents this past summer when Julia gave birth to their son Kevin Thomas Dunn in June. While baby Kevin slept, we talked about their experience becoming parents, and why they feel the “Spa City” is an ideal place to raise a family. 

Julia, and Erin, a successful local realtor, shared with me that the welcoming atmosphere, friendly neighbors, and sense of community, as some of the qualities that make the city a great place to call home.

Julia, who grew up outside of Boston, and Erin, a southern California native, first met briefly at a writer’s conference while Julia was in college.  More than a decade later, they reconnected and eventually made their home together in Saratoga Springs. On June 23rd 2018 the couple wed in a ceremony at the Historic Barns of Nipmoose in Buskirk New York. They celebrated this important milestone with a honeymoon sailing in Greece. This year the couple celebrated another milestone in the month of June when Julia gave birth to their son Kevin.

Parenthood is an important and attainable goal for many same sex couples, or any couple, and they have a number of options to choose from when starting a family. As our conversation continued, Erin and Julia shared that in vitro fertilization was the choice for their path to parenthood. In vitro fertilization or IVF is a multi-step process including medications to stimulate ovulation, egg retrieval, in vitro fertilization, and uterine implantation of the in vitro fertilized eggs. They credit the Boston IVF fertility clinic in Loudonville New York with guiding them through each step in the IVF process and speak highly of the care provided.  Not only did the IVF experience produce their beautiful baby boy, but also as Julia said, “gives you a healthy respect for science.”

Baby Kevin was welcomed by his parents and their families as well, especially his namesake and grandfather, Julia’s dad Kevin Dunn. Erin and Julia shared their delightful means to denote one Kevin Dunn from the other, having nicknamed Mr. Dunn “K1” and baby Kevin as “K2”! Baby’ Kevin’s middle name, Thomas, pays tribute to Erin’s late father, Thomas Leavey.

Julia and Erin appreciate Saratoga’s walkability, especially when they take Kevin for rides in his stroller around their neighborhood, and to Congress Park and along Broadway. They enjoy running into the friends and neighbors they have come to know in this city Erin describes as “family friendly and welcoming.” 

The wide range of activities to pursue in Saratoga and the surrounding area - and proximity to the Adirondacks! - appeals to the active couple. They enjoy a range of activities including skiing, hiking, sailing and horseback riding, which they plan to share with Kevin as well as other interests as he grows up.

Julia and Erin “absolutely fell in love” with Saratoga Springs. The Spa City has been the perfect place for them to start their life together, and their new journey together into parenthood.