Sometimes what we think will happen at first glance isn’t the story that unfolds. Life’s surprises have really hit Russell and Carrie, and through 35 years together, they’ve eventually hit every curveball like a pro.  

Russell and Carrie met at a housewarming party in Toronto, Canada. Russell was a photographer, traveler, and freelancer “in the artsy side of things”. Carrie worked as a software analyst for a corporation and was 10 years into her professional life in Toronto. Their story begins at Carrie’s housewarming party, though Russell wasn’t technically invited. Carrie’s friend, who invited Russell, didn’t attend, but Russell did and obviously did a wonderful job of mingling. Russell and Carrie became friends and after about a year of knowing each other, decided to start dating despite their friends noting all their differences. Like the saying goes, “opposites attract”. Early on in their relationship, Russell had already planned an extensive “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” style trip through the United States. He said goodbye to Carrie, which wrecked her as the uncertainty of their togetherness was unclear. Instead of the trip pulling them apart, it did the opposite as the trip showed them both how much they loved each other. After an accident where Russell ended up in the ditch somewhere in Appalachia, he called Carrie and expressed his journey had to be their journey. Their first curveball was thrown, and they knocked a home run back to Indiana where they were engaged.  

35 years later, two kids, many dogs, and two devastating medical diagnoses later, they decide to open a business together. Carrie has survived a traumatic brain injury which changed many of her abilities. At one point an analytical, numbers driven person, she can no longer sit at a computer or do simple math problems. This twist of fate gave her an unending recovery, but she is now able to pursue a dream of hers since she was a child. Geri Girl Bakery is a creative endeavor, where Carrie can showcase her baking talent and Russell covers the financial, administrative, and marketing duties. Their business has grown from cottage bakery to storefront in Edinburgh IN, and now to Market Wagon for online shopping. They maxed out their farmers market attendance being a team of two with 5 markets a week last summer, sharing their sweet and savory pastries, cookies, and cakes. They joined Market Wagon this January and with the success are already planning to move to a larger baking space closer to their home.  

Opposites attract but love wins. Carrie and Russell own and operate Geri Girl Bakery with strength, unity, and good taste! Thank you to Carrie and Russell for sharing their story with me. This story deserves more than a simple write-up, so support their business on Market Wagon Central Indiana today!