Monica and Adam Stein bonded over softball, a shared love of the Chicago Cubs, and similar careers in engineering. They met while playing co-ed softball on Mercer Island, outside Seattle. They were both from Chicago; Monica grew up in the Skokie area, and Adam was born in Chicago (although mostly grew up in Nashville). Both came to Seattle for work. Monica worked for Boeing as an aerospace engineer, and Adam worked as a software test engineer for Microsoft.
Even though Monica cancelled their first date, they eventually rescheduled and started a romance that led to their 2002 marriage. Being engineers, they carefully chose their wedding date for the historically driest and sunniest weekend of the year for Seattle. Adam says, “even though the date caused our softball team to forfeit out of the playoffs. The day ended up overcast with a little bit of rain, but it made for great photos.”
Monica spent some of her teen years in Sao Paulo, Brazil, making her fluent in Portuguese. She graduated from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in engineering and later attended Seattle University for her MBA. Monica adds,
“My favorite position at Boeing was working with the FAA to certify airplanes for delivery. “After many years in Seattle, I decided I needed a change, some warmer, sunnier weather. Fortunately, Adam was in tech so it was easy for him to get a job in California. So in March 2015 we moved first to Danville, then to Northgate in 2016. As soon as the realtor opened the door, I knew this was my house. Since moving here, I have been healing from the stresses of being an engineer and finding a new path for myself, which turned into a business, Omthentic You Wellness Center.” She studied meditation (which she was introduced to by her dad at the age of 8), ayurveda, yoga, energy clearing, reiki and life coaching. She adds, “I love helping women see the possibilities, strategizing by playing with energy, and making a greater impact.” She also teaches classes at Behavioral Fitness and leads a meditation group through Walnut Creek Area Neighbors and Newcomers Club. Monica also enjoys quilting, and reading and describes herself as a life-long learner. She volunteers at Book Friends (the used bookstore in Ygnacio Plaza
that supports the Contra Costa County Library System) and is the past president of Mount Diablo Business Women. But
her biggest passion is fostering dogs and helping people keep their pets if that is the best path for them. Monica says, “I’d love to open up a Healing Arts Retreat Center and to have a vacation home on the beach. And so it is!”
Adam has worked at Amazon, Twitter, and Eventbrite and is now helping companies as a software engineering consultant, serving on boards and teaching financial wisdom to tech workers. He spends most Sundays playing softball at Heather Farm. He also serves on the board of their synagogue’s brotherhood group and organizes a monthly “Burger Break.” He is the author of the patent for autocomplete in Excel. He has visited 31 major league ballparks and has a goal to visit every current park.
The Steins love board games and have recently started joining friends at Behavioral Fitness’ open game play on Fridays (open to all, see www.behavioralfitnesstoday.com). Monica also teaches mahjong there. Adam adds, “We both inherited the tradition of being good hosts from our parents.
We usually have friends and family over for holidays, birthdays and ‘just because it’s sunny’ days.” Monica adds, “It’s amazing to live in a neighborhood where we know and talk to our neighbors. I get to live by the canal trail, the park, and get a view of the mountain. We are invited to neighbors’ homes for Christmas and invite them for Jewish holidays.”
The Stein family loves, hugs, and laughs together; they dream big, are grateful, have fun, cheer for the Cubs and foster dogs to save lives. Say hello if you see them out walking their elderly pups, Baxter and Avry, in the dog stroller.
By Kara Navolio, Resident since 1991
Photos provided by the Stein family