Born in Defiance

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Born in Defiance

We're Luke & Samantha Kuhn, a NW Ohio couple sharing our lives, passions, and videography.

08/09/2025

If you’re looking for a powerful story performed in a fun and touching way: go see Big Fish by the Fort Defiance Players! 🎭

Last night I had the experience of meeting Edward Bloom through the portrayal of a great friend; and in meeting Edward, I saw a reflection of myself.

When Steve (I mean Edward Bloom) told us we needed to see this show, Samantha and I had no idea it would bring us to tears and make us feel the way it did.

Big Fish is about how stories — more importantly your story — impacts the lives of your family, friends, community, and even the world. One of my favorite quotes is: “whoever tells the best story wins.” 📖

And Edward Bloom sure can tell a fantastic tale. 🖊️

From the opening “Be the Hero of Your Story,” to “when you know how it ends you begin,” Big Fish made us think about how we’re writing, and telling, our stories to our kids, to the world, and to God. ➕

In this story, I saw myself as a husband, a father, and a son. I heard my wife singing through the voice of Edward’s wife as he grew old, “I don’t need a roof to know I’m home. I don’t need a roof to hold my heart.” ❤️‍🔥

I saw myself singing with my kids “we’ll fight the dragons, and storm the castle, til we win what needs to be won. I’ll fight the dragons til you can.” ⚔️

I saw the love I have for where I’m from: “The best thing about growing up in a small town; a boy with ambition can be a pretty big deal.” 💯

While the sign in the musical said “Save Ashton” it said something close, but different for me. It was told to Edward “the ones who face their fears live the most interesting lives.” 🛡️

For Edward, and me too, nothing great happens by the hand of one person alone. While I’ve found great friends, may we all make more like Amos and Karl. “The best part of an adventure is the people that you meet.” 🤝

I saw myself as son, hungry to know the stories of my own parents: to write them upon my heart, and into my own tale. And I heard my Heavenly Father telling me that he gave us a “storybook” to follow called the Bible. 🕊️

And while young Edward Bloom surely saw his death in that crystal ball, “it’s a surprise ending… wouldn’t wanna ruin it for ya.” 🪄

So I had to tell my wife after the show: “I’ve seen how it ends, and this ain’t it.” ✨

“I know I wasn’t perfect,
I know my life was small,
I know that I pretended that I knew it all.
But when you tell my story,
And I hope somebody does,
Remember me as something bigger than I was.” 🎣

A great story just may have the power to change the world, for the better. 💫 — Luke

⏰ 7:30pm Saturday August 9, 2025
⏰ 2 pm Sunday August 10, 2025
📍 Defiance Community Auditorium
🎟️ Tickets online or in cash at the door: https://cur8.com/14587/project/131223

07/28/2025

🕊️ Lourdes, France — A Journey of Hope 🇫🇷

We didn’t go to Lourdes for a vacation. We went for a reason: For healing. For hope. For Becky.

When Becky's cancer returned, our hearts broke—but not our faith. We knew we couldn’t fix it, but we could take it to the One who could make it make sense.

So we packed our bags, gathered our family, and brought Becky to the waters of Lourdes.

And something happened there. Not just in Becky—but in all of us.

A softening. A strengthening. A stirring to listen more closely for the Holy Spirit.

Lourdes didn’t erase the hard things. But it lit a fire in our hearts to carry on—with peace, with courage, and with trust in His will. ❤️‍🔥

We came back seeking holiness in a new way.

This trip was a gift. A reminder that suffering isn’t the end of the story—and neither is healing. The real miracle is walking the path with Christ, wherever it leads.

The fact that you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel isn't a defect; it's a part of the program. 💯

The Father Creates. The Son Redeems. The Spirit Moves. ➕

Thank you, Lourdes.
Thank you, Mother Mary.
Speak God, for your servants are listening.

“I do not promise to make you happy in this world, but in the next.” Our Lady of Lourdes to St. Bernadette ✨

03/25/2025

🪓 🦫 Farewell to the The Eager Beaver AxeHole!

We want to give a huge thank you to AxeHole for bringing an exciting, one-of-a-kind experience to Defiance County over the years! 👏🏼 From friendly competitions to unforgettable nights out, they provided a fun atmosphere that will be missed.

We were lucky to enjoy one last round of axe throwing with friends and hear some awesome karaoke before they closed their doors for good. 🪓 It’s always tough to see a local business go, and it’s a reminder of how challenging the entrepreneurial journey can be.

If there’s a small business you love, get out there and support them—shop local, spread the word, and show up. Your community depends on it!

As the last photo so perfectly says: “There’s no I in team.” ♥️

PS — We discovered Luke was pretty good… Samantha was not. 😂 This was her only bullseye! 🎯

02/28/2025

Lettuce Tell You About Mill District Deli! 😋 🥪🌭

If you’re in the mood for a gouda sandwich, you cheddar check out Mill District Deli in West Unity! 🧀🥖 This local gem serves up fresh, flavorful eats that’ll have you saying, “Holy Swiss, that’s good!”

We relished the chance to try their Hot Caribbean Cubano, Sicilian, and Classic Reuben. 🌶️🥓🥬 They also have options like wraps, salads, soup, and dawgs (loaded hot dogs!). 😋

Don’t forget to save room for their baked goods, cheese, and ice cream. 🧀 🍪🍦They pack a LOT into one location!

This isn’t just a deli—it’s a full spread of local flavor, featuring kettle chips, honey, and more from nearby vendors! 🛍️

📍 101 W Jackson St, West Unity, OH
🕙 Mon-Sat: 10 AM - 7 PM | Sun: 11 AM - 2 PM
🥪 Dine in or takeout!

Tag a friend who needs a sub-stantial meal, and head to Mill District Deli! 👇

-cious

02/02/2025

Our family is captivated by you, little man. ✨

February is an exciting month, with Charlie turning 1 month and Evelyn turning 2 years old. 🎂

Anyone have advice for us as we navigate these fun ages? 😄

“Family is not an important thing — it’s everything.” 💙

📸 Bre + Me Photography, thank you for the amazing keepsake family photos!

01/12/2025

Charles (Charlie) Emmanuel Kuhn is finally here! 🕊️ ♥️

Jan. 1, 2025
6:49 am
9 lbs, 14 oz
21”

He surprised us all by arriving shortly after New Year’s — a quick labor and delivery, too. 🏥

🌟 Fun facts about Charlie’s birth:

▪️He’s the first baby born in Defiance County in 2025! ProMedica Defiance Regional Hospital honored him with a gift basket. 🎁

▪️The 2️⃣5️⃣th grandchild on the Kuhn side, who arrived on New Year’s Day ‘2️⃣5️⃣.

▪️He is the first of a new generation, Beta, which officially begins in 2025. 👦

📝 Namesake background:

Charles is a longstanding family name on Luke’s side; it’s Luke’s middle name, his dad (Ron’s) middle name, and both of Ron’s grandpa’s first names. It’s a namesake from a line of strong men we’re grateful for. 🤍

📖 He is also named after two men of great heart in one of Luke’s favorite books: “A Pocket Mirror for Heroes” by Baltasar Gracian, originally published in the 17th century.

“The Achilles of our time, Charles Emmanuel, with only four of his men broke through four hundred enemy soldiers, and satisfied universal admiration by saying that, in moments of great danger, no company can compete with a great heart.” ❤️‍🔥

And another: “The Dauphin of France, who was later Charles VII, was notified that his father, the King of England, had extorted a decision from the Parliament of Paris. Charles would not be allowed to succeed to the throne. Undaunted, he announced he would appeal. ‘To whom?’ they asked. ‘To the greatness of my heart and the point of my sword.’ And so he did. 🗡️

💎 The almost eternal diamond does not shine as proudly in the midst of devouring carbuncles as a stout heart in risks and dangers. Excess of heart makes up for the lack of anything else.” ♥️

⭐️ Charles: Germanic origin, meaning “warrior”
⭐️ Emmanuel: Hebrew origin, meaning “God is with us”
⭐️ Kuhn: Germanic origin, “kühn” meaning “bold”

We love you, Charles Emmanuel Kuhn:

God is with us, Bold Warrior! 🗡️❤️‍🔥🛡️

12/25/2024

Merry Christmas & happy holidays from our family to yours! 🎄

“It’s not what’s under the tree that matters, it’s who’s around it.” — Charlie Brown

With “Nana” Becky here and baby Kuhn #2 on the way LITERALLY any day now, we couldn’t agree more! ♥️ 💚 We don’t know the gender… a true Christmas surprise blessing! ✨

Any guesses? 🩵 or 💗?

12/24/2024

🎄🥾 If you’re dreaming of a festive Midwest getaway, look no further than Hocking Hills Lodge and Conference Center!

Nestled in the heart of Ohio’s most stunning landscapes, this cozy lodge is a picture-perfect holiday retreat. 📸 It’s decorated by mid-November, so you can celebrate early or plan a winter escape in January. ❄️

Why Hocking Hills is a Must-Visit:

🎄 Festive Atmosphere: The lodge feels like a holiday wonderland, perfect for relaxing with loved ones and embracing the season.

🥾 Hiker’s Paradise: With trails less than 10 minutes away, you can explore breathtaking scenery like Old Man’s Cave, Ash Cave, and Cedar Falls.

🏊 Amenities for Everyone: Warm up in the hot tub or take a dip in the indoor pool—perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring.

🍷 Local Treats: Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop for unique finds and sample local wines (like Le Petit Chevalier) for a truly special experience.

🥰 ⭐️ Make this year the one where you actually enjoy the holidays. Escape the stress, embrace nature, and create lasting memories with family and friends.

👉 Plan your visit: https://www.hockinghillsparklodge.com

Fellow Ohioans: If you’re looking to explore more of what Ohio has to offer, check out the Great Ohio Lodges—each state park lodge is a gem waiting to be discovered. 💎

Learn more: https://www.greatohiolodges.com

The Buckeye State has more to offer than we give it credit for! 🙌🏻

12/21/2024

✨ "The beauty of a small town lies in its simplicity, not its complexity; if you find yourself bored, you're not looking hard enough." ✨

🎶 To start focusing our hearts on Christmas and the reason for the season, we went to a show by Siberian Solstice, a Trans-Siberian Orchestra Tribute. 🎤 WOW! This NW Ohio powerhouse of a group knows how to get the spirit flowing. 🎄

It was a wonderful first show for our daughter, who found the lights fascinating. 💡

Learn more about this incredible local group and go see their next show: www.siberiansolstice.com 🙌🏻

🕰️ Historical venue tidbit: The Gathering Place in Defiance (602 Clinton St) deserves a special mention — most have no clue its history! It originally opened in 1892 as Defiance Opera House (the Toledo Blade says “Citizens Opera House”) with a seating capacity for 1,000+, was later renamed Valentine Theater, and sadly closed in 1994. Much of the interior remains the same, and you can tell the venue still has a lot of character. 💫 The Defiance Public Library System has photos for anyone interested. Today, it’s a church — The Gathering Place. Their staff is incredibly friendly, and our daughter definitely enjoyed the kids playroom. 🧸

**Who else has seen this group or been to the Gathering Place? 🙋🏻‍♀️ 🙋🏽 Thoughts?**

12/18/2024

🎉 Hidn Treasures LLC : A Local Paulding Boutique You’ll Love! 💎

It looks small on the outside, but have a little faith and venture inside this unique new shop!

Opened in June 2024 by Mike and Heather, this store is all about showcasing local talent and pouring love back into the community. 🛍️💖 We loved how friendly Mike was and almost enjoyed talking with him more than actually shopping! 😂

With over 50 Midwestern artisan vendors from Ohio to Indiana, you’ll find everything from:

🧵 Handmade mug warmers and knitted goods
☕️ Locally roasted coffee beans
🍿 Artisan popcorn (the flavors are so unique!)
🕯️ Candles, soaps, balms, and more
💎 Jewelry, woodwork, glass nightlights, ornaments, and signs
🍪 Cookies, snacks, and soups
👶🏻 Baby toys, T-shirts, and hair accessories
✏️ Even custom orders tailored to your needs!

We tried the magnesium sleep spray by Harting Homesteaders, which — like many products there — has an impressively clean ingredient list. 🍃

Whether you’re finishing up your last-minute Christmas shopping 🎄 or looking for a special gift, Hidn Treasures has you covered. and discover one-of-a-kind treasures! ⭐️

🗓 Hours:
• Monday: Closed
• Tuesday: 6 PM – 9 PM
• Wednesday & Thursday: 11 AM – 5 PM
• Friday: 11 AM – 6 PM
• Saturday: 8 AM – 4 PM
• Sunday: Closed

*Holidays may affect these hours.

📍 1007 N Williams St, Paulding, Ohio
📞 567-371-1863

12/02/2024

🛍️✨ Did you know you can earn Defiance Development and Visitors Bureau Gift Certificates by shopping at small businesses this week? 💰

1️⃣ Make a purchase at a Defiance local business. 🛒
2️⃣ Take your receipts to the DDVB Office to be rewarded with Downtown Defiance Gift Certificates! 💲 The program runs through Dec 8.

Every dollar you spend locally earns you more to give or enjoy for yourself — let’s make this holiday season one that truly gives back to the community! 🎄

Show some love to the shops and restaurants that make Defiance special. ♥️ 💚 Share your favorites in the comments — or those that make for great gift cards! 🎁 (We see you, fellow last-minute shoppers 😉)

Learn more about the Think Local Incentive Program:
https://visitdefianceohio.com/explore/think-local-incentive-program/

11/28/2024

Why did the turkey pack a suitcase? 🧳…Because it heard the holiday was stuffed with adventure! 🦃✈️

This Thanksgiving, we’re incredibly thankful for YOU—our amazing followers! Whether you’re tuning in for family moments, life updates, travel adventures, or happenings in NW Ohio, your support means the world to us. 🙌🏻

Here’s to a little more exploring — whether in your backyard or around the globe. 🌎 ✈️ 🚘

Remember, it’s WHO you’re making memories with that matters most. 🍂🧡

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Defiance, OH

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https://www.bornindefiance.com/

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