Hitch(ed), please!
A Field Guide to Claire and Ben
1. Fish & Chips
Precious Fur Babies
Claire & Ben's relationship has been forged in fire, in the form of precious fur babies Fish (gray) and Chips (orange). Their demanding upkeep keeps Claire & Ben working as a team, whether it's commiserating over 3 AM kitty Olympics, or finding hidden stashes of hair ties, earrings, and other stolen treasures around the house.
2. Covfefe
Love at Second, or Third, Sip
Ben used to hate coffee, and snootily used that dislike as a personality trait. It was not until a sleepy day 3 of Clusterfest (a comedy festival in San Francisco), that Ben faced a crossroads; drink coffee or snooze through a highly anticipated "Lonely Island" concert. Claire coaxed Ben into an overpriced cup of cold brew, and it was then that Ben realized coffee is just vehicle for sugar and cream, and they've been in love ever since (Ben & coffee, that is).
3. Bulls Jerseys
The JRDN Era
Claire Jordan, as she was known in college, was an avid Michael Jordan stan (albeit not a fan of basketball itself). She found her Pippen in Ben, and the two donned matching jerseys for a 5k that they finished in near last place.
4. Kimchi Fries
Good 'til the last fry
Claires and Bens everywhere agree, there's no better comfort food in Austin than Chi'lantro's kimchi fries - good for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
5. The Proposal
A Surprise only to Ben
The dress, the ring, and the watch that featured on the day that Claire and Ben were engaged! Read on in "The Proposal" tab for a retelling of the story of how Ben proposed to Claire.
6. A Root Beer Float
Date Night Fare
Claire and Ben went to a screening of The VVitch at Alamo Drafthouse for their second date. With no inhibition, Ben ordered a root beer float, which Claire mentally made note as a power move.
7. Chef’s Apron
The 6th Love Language: Treats
Whether it’s taking 4 hours to cook a recipe with an estimated time of 30 minutes, or whipping up a batch of chocolate chip cookies at midnight on a school night, Ben takes great joy in cooking, and even greater joy in sharing the fruits of his labor with his royal taste tester, Claire.
8. Bevo
College Sweethearts
Despite having different recollections of the exact timing of when they first met, the University of Texas at Austin was the setting. These two have hooked their horns right into the bonds of love and matrimony.
9. Board Games
The Test of a Relationship’s Mettle
Cain and Abel. Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Tom and Jerry. These love-hate relationships pale in comparison to Claire and Ben on game night. While it’s no-holds-barred war during a bout of Monopoly Deal, Settlers of Catan, or Secret Hitler, Claire and Ben always make sure to enact a "sweetie treaty" beforehand that mandates only peace and love at the game’s conclusion.