Ben and Claire's Story

Claire

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Born and raised in Seattle, Washington and described as a "chaotic" child, Claire has always been a force to be reckoned with. Claire's childhood is remembered by the smell of her mom baking banana bread, her time as a thespian, and skiing straight down the mountain to keep up with older siblings and cousins. Claire channeled that boundless energy into the noble pursuits of pediatric nursing and bioethics, which have allowed her to impact the lives of countless children and patients. Benjamin cherishes Claire's creativity, laughter, and the depth of their love and acceptance.

Benjamin

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Originally hailing from the infamous Dirty R (colloquially known as Reno, Nevada), Benjamin's character truly developed with the nourishment of veggie tales, ultimate frisbee and dino egg instant oatmeal. Benjamin accomplished his first calling of paleontology at the age of four as an unofficial guide at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles. As an adult, he pores over medical journals in his pursuit of alleviating the suffering of others as a medical doctor. He finds sustenance in craft coffee, the musical rollercoaster of Charli XCX, and his unmatched pozole recipe. Claire adores his gentleness, humor, compassion and undying love for the desert and state of Nevada.

2017

The Year We Met

Claire was visiting her nursing school friend's hometown of Reno, Nevada. Rachel introduces Claire to her high school friend Ben.

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2018

Ben and Claire's First Date

Claire asks out Ben on a date to Khun Thai in Brookings, OR. Claire graduates from nursing school this year, and begins a job at Seattle Children's Hospital on a Pediatric Blood Disorders and Cancer Care Unit. Benjamin is in his last year of undergraduate at UNR.

2019

The Year We Start Dating

First Date: Thai food, Second Date: camping in Yellowstone for 3 days. Ben and Claire visit one another a few times this year in their respective hometowns and actually decide to start dating long distance! Benjamin graduates from undergrad and has a few precious months off before starting medical school at University of Nevada, Reno.

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2020

We Celebrate One Year

In the midst of COVID, Claire drives down to Reno and we celebrate one year of dating.

2021

Year of Roadtrips

more back and forth and meeting in the middle and driving to Texas and Denver and back to Reno Benjamin rescues an orange fluffy cat named Eddie. Claire gets a puppy and names her Mila.

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2022

The Year We Finally Get To Live In The Same City

Claire graduates with her MA in Bioethics from the University of Washington, packs up and moves to Reno, NV to teach at the UNR Orvis School of Nursing. Benjamin is in his last year of Medical School at UNR Med. We refuse to calculate how many kilograms of CO2 were required to sustain this relationship, but after countless plane flights and week long trips to meet the other, here we are living in Reno 10 blocks away from one another!

2023

To Portland!

Ben graduates from Medical School and matches at OHSU for Internal Medicine Residency. Claire and Ben pack up and make the move from Reno into a house together in Portland, OR.

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2024

The Year We Get Engaged

Ben proposes to Claire on a forest hike in July. Ben also becomes an Uncle this year to sweet Vinny!!

2025

Ben and Claire Elope!

Ben and Claire were married on April 10th 2025 surrounded by immediate family and local friends from Reno. Amy (Claire's sister) officiates the wedding!

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2026

The Year We Celebrate With You!!!

We cannot wait to celebrate our marriage with the community that has supported us and made this relationship possible over the last 7 years!! See you in July!!