When Christina Ward and her husband, Bryan, began to search for a new place to live, they had never heard of Italy. After looking in the northern part of Ellis County, their realtor told them she wanted to show them a house in Italy.

“We fell in love with Italy and our home the first time we drove down here,” said Christina. “We are very old school and love the country atmosphere. As soon as we drove in we both knew this is where we were supposed to be. ”

“I am so glad we moved to Italy,” Christina said smiling. “We have only been here since March, but I can already tell it is a family based community. The people we have met have been so welcoming. I feel safe and at home here.”

Bryan works as a firefighter for the Lancaster Fire Department and is an ex-Marine who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He loves his job because it is exciting and he gets to help people.

Christina is a hair stylist that enjoys her work too. She is the new stylist at Bobbie’s Salon here in Italy. She enjoys trendy hair styles, cuts and colors.

“I love my job – I get to be creative,” Ward explained. “My passion is the older generation – but I also enjoy working on younger people, too. I have fun thinking outside the box and I get to do that in my work.”

Christina loves to go fishing with her husband and their daughter, Ariana who will be a 2nd grader at Stafford when school starts this year. When she has spare time, she likes to restore furniture and create jewelry.

Ward enjoys sharing life experiences with the people she meets. Her faith in God is very important to her and has gotten her through some very tough and stressful times.

“I was diagnosed with cancer and had to have surgery. I trusted the Lord for healing as well as my doctors. After the surgery I had a blood clot that could have ended my life. Then the internal stitches the doctor put in during the surgery did not hold and I almost died again. I relied on my faith to get me through this. I am so thankful God is faithful. I am also thankful to be a cancer survivor.”

Bryan and Christina are both community minded and like to help others. They have fit right in with the Italy community. Christina is hoping she can help coach the IYAA cheerleaders this year. Bryan is a volunteer with the Italy Fire Department. They will be playing on the fire department team at the upcoming Guns and Hoses softball game. They are also sponsors of this year’s event. All proceeds will go to the Shop With A Cop fundraiser.

“I understand that it is hard for people that are working to make it to the shop during regular hours, so I will do my best to accommodate their schedule,” she said. “I work on Saturdays and can even work later if necessary.”

Stop in and meet Christina at Bobbie’s Salon, 136 E. Main Street here in Italy. She will be there Tuesday through Saturday every week. Call 972-483-7290 or 469-732-6405 to schedule an appointment.