Michael Benge grew up in Villa Park, CA, located in Orange County. His father, Clyde, was a banker for most of his life and his mother, Christine, was executive assistant and real estate agent. In his early twenties, Mike bought a pizza place call First Class Pizza, which he operated with his mother and brother for several years. In 2010, he moved to Virginia, where he attended college. He spent 7 years there before deciding to move back west for a new adventure.

Claire grew up in a military family. Her father, Mike, was an officer for 21 years and is now the Director of Public Works for Sandy, UT. Her mother, Marian, has been a Special Education teacher for as long as Claire can remember. They moved a LOT while her dad was in the Army, but it was hands down the coolest childhood anyone could imagine. After graduating high school, Claire moved to Washington, DC, to attend college. She spent 15 years in DC and built herself a large tribe of friends and family that she holds very dear.

In 2017, both Mike and Claire moved to Dillon, MT, to work for the Great Harvest Bread Company. Mike's first day on the job was the day Claire got interviewed. At first, they just started hanging out as friends. Two people in a strange town far from everything they knew. But it didn't take long to become more than that. For at least the first few months, Claire was determined to keep it a secret. Coworkers dating would SURELY be a scandal in such a small town! As it turns out, everyone knew and they were terrible at hiding it. How often can you “accidentally” run into each other at the grocery store, really?

In the years that have followed they have built a beautiful life together, and on New Years Eve of 2020 Mike proposed. At home, after a fantastic meal, in front of their Christmas tree. It was perfect.

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