If you are reading this you should already know that Claire is an intellectual property law attorney who also sits on a number of civic, religious, community, and arts organization boards. She has a deep support and appreciation for emerging artists. You should also be well aware that Brad is a cellist and composer who is active in the avante garde and improv music scene throughout the Northwest. He holds a post at Seattle University teaching cello, bass, and chamber music, and is dedicated to promoting contemporary art of all stripes. They are 30 and 32 years old, respectively.

But you might not know that Brad is the oldest of four children, and was raised in eastern Oregon on a pig farm in La Grande. Claire is the second of five kids, is an Army brat and has lived in lots of places but claims Ft. Lewis, Washington (i.e., Tacoma) as home cause they lived there most frequently. Both were born in Germany (Brad's dad was also briefly in the military) and share a love for Europe and travel generally.

    
       
 

You might also enjoy learning that Brad served an LDS mission in Romania and very much enjoyed it--he talks about it all the time! He went to school in Portland and Indiana studying cello performance. He knows Everything, is extremely friendly, owns a beautiful Volkswagen Vanagon, and is a joy to learn from. Claire studied art and literature and language at BYU, and then law. Now she protects art and literature and language with the law and has a terrific time doing so. She's also a fantastic knitter of scarves and loves to spend time with her family.

These two share a love of the gospel of Jesus Christ and are proud to be members of the LDS Church (www.lds.org). It has enriched their lives, answered the tough questions, raised new questions, and led them to wonderful places of learning and joy.


Spotting her from across the chapel, Brad positioned himself, clipboard in hand, near the door. As she began to exit, Brad attempted to get a phone number and some personal details while Claire cautiously proceeded to cross examine him for motive. After some struggle both were left intrigued. Claire left with evidence of Brad's composer abilities and the name of the country of his birth. Brad got a business card. After several months Claire agreed to one date, which may or may not have turned out wonderfully. This procedure of information exchange and encounter then repeated itself numerous times throughout the next three years, with varying (but generally increasing) degrees of success.


In their own words, the Engagement has been everything they expected: "Increasingly wonderful!!!" It has been the happiest three months of their lives, surrounded by supportive family and friends, plus romance, 24-7. Brad and Claire have said they are grateful for comfortingly calm answers to their prayers, and reassuringly real growing experiences that they have shared during this time. They love each other tremendously, and look forward to an eternity together.


Both Brad and Claire love what they do and want to do more of it--and then some. They're hoping most of what they do will benefit others, and will bring comfort, learning, love, and joy to those around them. They also hope that most of what they'll do will somehow incorporate bicycles.

And of course this isn't all. But you'll have to find the rest out yourselves. Hope to see you at the Celebration on April first!