SOMA Living April 2025

MEET THE DONOVAN FAMILY

Photography by Jamie Meier

Meet Heather and Elizabeth Donovan, a dynamic couple whose journey reflects love, adventure, and resilience. Their story begins in 2010 when they met in New York City. Heather explains, “For as big as NYC is, the lesbian community feels relatively small. Everyone knows each other within one or two degrees of separation.” Their early years as a couple were filled with excitement and exploration. Living in different areas of New York City, they enjoyed the vibrant culture and nightlife. “We feel so fortunate that we spent our time in New York exactly how we wanted to,” Elizabeth recalls. Heather adds, “Living across town from one another, we spent our weekends walking from one end of the city to the other, stopping for drinks, shopping, and enjoying the sights between our two places. On one walk, I got a tattoo. On another walk, we adopt a cat named ‘Mr. Sunday.’ He’s still with us today.” Heather and Elizabeth married in 2015, the same year that same-sex marriage became federally legal in the United States. Their wedding celebrated their love and commitment, marking a new chapter in their lives. Following this, they embarked on a year-long adventure, traveling to 14 countries across Europe and Southeast Asia. This once-in-a-lifetime experience allowed them to immerse themselves in different cultures and create lasting memories. Returning to the United States, Heather and Elizabeth decided to start a family, settling for a short time in Hoboken, New Jersey. In 2018, they welcomed their son, Oliver, a sweet boy whose contentment brings calm to those around him. Oliver received a diagnosis of autism at the age of two and a half, and although the diagnosis brings challenges, it strengthens their bond as a family. “Autism is a part of Oliver, but it doesn’t define him,” Elizabeth explains. Oliver makes remarkable progress, attending Somerset Hills Learning Institute, a school for children with autism. The school’s emphasis on parent training enables them to actively engage in Oliver’s education and development.

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