Courtnay Ivanov Wengart

  Born in 1996, Yekaterina "Katya" Lebedev was the cherished only child of Nikolai and Svetlana Lebedev in Moscow, Russia. With a lineage tracing back to Russian royalty, her family was part of the elite nomenklatura, a class of high-ranking officials within the Communist party and state bureaucracy. Though they lacked personal wealth, they enjoyed privileges and access to resources far beyond those of the general populace.

Katya's early years were marked by blissful affluence, shielded from the surrounding poverty of "Mother Russia." Her mother, Svetlana, harbored a secret dream of giving her children American names, inspired by her friendships with high-ranking American officials she met during travels with her husband, Nikolai, a diplomatic emissary.

Courtnay, who was affectionately known as Katya, received the finest education, mingling with the daughters of other diplomats. She blossomed into a beautiful young woman and a natural polyglot, fluent in English, Italian, Spanish, Latin, and Portuguese. After graduating from the Russian equivalent of high school, she became an interpreter at her father's workplace.

In 2015, at the age of 19, Courtnay met Sergei Ivanov, a 29-year-old diplomat, at a formal state affair. She wore a deep blue velvet gown, and he donned a perfectly fitted tuxedo with an impressive diplomatic sash. It was love at first sight. Sergei was soon to be the ambassador to the London Embassy. After two years of courtship, they married in an elaborate wedding that included both religious and civil ceremonies, showcasing their cultural heritage over multiple days.

The following year, their daughter Brooke was born, a beautiful baby girl with sparkling hazel eyes and golden hair. Sergei's powerful yet gracious statesmanship impressed Communist leaders, and he rose to become the Minister of Foreign Affairs the year after their son, Carter, was born.

For nine years, life with the Ivanovs was a picture-perfect dream until Sergei fell ill with what was initially thought to be pneumonia. Courtnay spent sleepless nights praying for his recovery, but doctors eventually diagnosed him with lung cancer. In 2031, at the age of 35, Courtnay became a widow, left to wonder about her future and that of her fatherless children.

Upon the death of a diplomat, the widow's diplomatic status and associated privileges are typically terminated, forcing Courtnay to choose between staying in Russia under less-than-ideal conditions or immigrating to another country. With the help of her influential American friends, she immigrated to America in 2032 and reunited with her sister in Seattle, WA. Brooke was 13, and Carter was 11 at the time.

Courtnay pursued a degree in Interior Design at Bellevue College, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Applied Arts. She secured a position at a prestigious interior design firm in Seattle, highly recommended as the widow of a high-ranking Russian diplomat who supervised the renovation of two massive residences. It was during a job site visit that she met Dillan Wengart, the head architect. Their professional connection quickly blossomed into a personal one, and they became inseparable, along with Brooke and Carter.

The transition was initially challenging for the children due to their traumatic experiences in Russia, but their love for their mother and desire for her happiness helped them adapt. The family took a vacation to the Fiji Islands, where Dillan, 48, proposed to Courtnay on the beach. They married a year later in 2036 at the very home they had worked on together for the Russian ambassador in Seattle. Dillan's entire very large family welcomed Courtnay, Brooke, and Carter with open arms.

Dillan and Courtnay honeymooned in Fiji and Tahiti before returning to Seattle to plan the construction of their dream home, and begin the adoption of Brooke and Carter to complete the love in their family. Their home became the center of many joyous holidays, filled with friends and family, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.