Gabriel and Erika Skelton have filled their Coral Springs home with love that spills out in giggles, sticky hugs, and little feet racing to the door when Daddy comes home. Their three treasures—Angel 4, Leo 2, and Valentina Alexandra 1, are the heartbeat of every day.
Gabe is Head of Sales at OpenBots in Sunrise. The moment he walks in, he’s all theirs—scooping toddlers, listening to Angel’s t-ball recaps, stealing kisses from Erika while dinner simmers. Erika wears her husband-given title Chief Homemaking Officer like a crown. “I’m an educator, nurse, chef, chauffeur, sports agent, and professional hugger,” she says with a grin. “I love my job—it is the absolute best.” In spare moments, she is also penning her first novel, and credits much of her motivation to a group of other writers and authors she has come to appreciate that meet at the Parkland Library.
Angel throws himself into piano, basketball, t-ball, and jujitsu, beaming brightest at the plate or the keyboard. Leo lives for the bounce of a basketball and sings with a soul that melts hearts. Valentina rules quietly with sparkling eyes and delighted squeals.
Evenings and weekends often find Gabe pedaling the boys in the bike trailer to Betti Stradling Park while Erika and Valentina sing in the grass, and everyone enjoys sandwiches and sunshine. Long walks, holiday decorating, and belting out worship songs on repeat are their love language. “We love these mundane things,” Erika says softly, “that’s where the beauty is.” Around the kitchen table they homeschool, lingering over Little House in the Big Woods while Angel deciphers new words and Leo supplies the soundtrack.
This year brought a flood, time away from home, and months without a kitchen, yet joy prevailed. Erika shares, “Because that joy was freely given by the Creator.” Gabe adds simply, “Love, especially when it’s difficult.” On the hardest days Erika whispered, “When in doubt, be a blessing!”
Sundays mean the same row at Calvary Chapel Parkland, where they’ve been loved like Jesus for three years. Gabe coaches the undefeated Parkland T-ball Red Sox, plays in the Coral Springs men’s league, and cherishes date nights and men’s group. Erika now sings on the worship team, writes and watercolors in quiet moments, and rereads Pride and Prejudice when the house finally stills.
Walk past the Skeltons’ home any evening and you’ll feel the warmth before you see it—children singing off-key and perfectly, while parents look at each other like the adventure is still brand-new. They want every family reading this to know: if you have people to love, you are so, so, so rich. And on an ordinary Coral Springs street, the Skeltons are living proof.
