Jeremy and Lila Stewart have built a life in Lakewood that blends family, friendship, community spirit, and a dash of entrepreneurial adventure. Along with their two children - Aiden, 13, and Callan, 9 - and their beloved black lab, Coco, the Stewarts have found a home in the heart of this welcoming neighborhood.

Sports and shared activities keep the family on the move. Both Aiden and Callan love basketball, while Callan also enjoys baseball. When the whole family wants to get active together, pickleball is their go-to. Whether it’s a friendly match or cheering from the sidelines, the Stewarts are happiest when they’re in motion and spending time together.

Outside of their home life, Jeremy and Lila are the founders of Hari Mari, a premium footwear brand with a purpose. Giving back is woven into the company’s DNA. A portion of every sale is donated to Cook Children’s Medical Center’s Pediatric Oncology Department, an initiative that holds deep personal significance for them. Hari Mari also produces the Freedom Flop, a flip flop with a backstrap designed specifically for amputees, further reflecting their commitment to meaningful, innovative impact.

Though their business keeps them busy, the Stewarts make time to connect with the community they love. “We’ve made some friends who we know will be lifelong buddies,” they share. “You can feel the support this incredible neighborhood offers one another.” That sense of connection is what drew them in and what keeps them rooted here.

Many neighbors may not know that before settling in Lakewood, the Stewarts lived in Asia for three years, a chapter of their lives that shaped their love for travel and broadened their perspective. That global curiosity is still going strong; they consider themselves “total travel junkies” and jump at the chance to explore new destinations. They also enjoy escaping to their family place in Mineola, where they can slow down and soak in the quiet.

When it comes to local favorites, the Stewarts never turn down a night out at Mot Hai Ba or an afternoon by the LCC Pool. At home, a simple steak-and-veggie dinner is their comfort food of choice. And while they admit - half-jokingly -that their loyalty to the Cowboys may not always be rewarding, they remain devoted fans. They also enjoy concerts, TV nights watching Taylor Sheridan shows, and gathering with friends.

Their advice for new families moving to Lakewood is simple but heartfelt: Embrace it! Get to know your neighbors! You won’t regret it. For Jeremy, Lila, Aiden, and Callan, that openness has turned neighbors into friends and friends into family.

From their philanthropic work and active lifestyle to their shared love of community, the Stewarts are an example of the warm, welcoming spirit that makes Lakewood such a special place to call home.