A Leap of Faith in Ottawa Lake
The Heart Behind the Venue
We are Steve and Julie Daniels, and this is the story of how we came to open Grasshopper Pines. Steve and I were high school sweethearts and married in 1990. Along the way, we’ve been blessed with four children—Cody, Cassidy, Cheyenne, and our fourth, Jacob.
By day, Steve works as a Superintendent in Oregon, OH, and I’m the CFO for a local company right here in Ottawa Lake. While our careers keep us busy, our most cherished role has always been "Mom and Dad".
The Uncertainty
Between 2017 and 2018, our house went quiet as all four children left home—the three oldest were married, and our baby left for college. To be honest, the "empty nest" hit me hard. I went through a bit of an identity crisis; for so long, my entire world was centered on being a Mom.
I spent the next year praying for something that would fulfill me and feed my soul well into our retirement years. Having loved every minute of the wedding fun when our own kids got married, I knew that was the environment I wanted to be in. We toured the property where Grasshopper Pines is now located late in 2018, but at the time, several factors kept us from purchasing it.
In the summer of 2019, the owner contacted us again. I was still uncertain and asked the Lord that if He was going to be with us on this venture, He’d have to make it VERY clear. Then, the signs started appearing…
The Three Signs
The name Grasshopper Pines is more than just a nod to our grounds; it’s a testament to a series of moments that were simply too specific to be a coincidence.
The Pickles: I was halfway through shopping at our local Kroger when I noticed a grasshopper resting right on my jar of pickles. I gingerly picked up the jar, moved the grasshopper, and went home to tell Steve how odd it was.
The Car Hood: The following weekend, we were dropping Cheyenne off at BGSU. As we pulled out, there was a grasshopper on the hood of our car. I realized I hadn’t seen a grasshopper in probably 10 years, and now I’d seen two in three days.
The Video: I asked for one more sign, and I needed it quickly. That evening, after our Bible study, I opened Facebook to a video of a spider web. Five seconds in, a hand reached into the frame holding—of all things—a grasshopper.
I sat up and showed my phone to Steve and said, “Is this a grasshopper?” He said, “Yes.” I asked, “But it’s brown, not green, are you sure it’s a grasshopper?” He said “Yes, there are several kinds of grasshoppers.” Again I asked, “Are you sure it’s a grasshopper?” He said “YES, what’s the fuss about?” So I told him of the deal I had made with the Lord. He looked at me and smiled and said…”I guess we’re going to the bank!”
A Legacy of Celebration
Today, Grasshopper Pines is a true family affair. Our most cherished title arrived in 2024, when we were blessed with three grandchildren—Matthew, Wyatt, and Hazel—all born within just four months of each other. We often dream of the days when they will be racing across the lawn while "Grammy and Pop" prepare for a ceremony, with our four children—Cody, Cassidy, Cheyenne, and Jacob—helping us grow this business year after year.
When you book with us, you aren’t just renting a space; you are joining a legacy of love and family. We look forward to helping you take your own "leap of faith" into a new chapter and making your wedding day as special as the journey that brought us here.