Claire Hettinger & Andrew Mott

Claire and Andrew both grew up in Monticello and were one year apart in school. They always knew of each other and had several mutual friends. Their friend Jake even suggested Claire ask Andrew to the Sadie Hawkins dance.

Then, when Claire graduated from high school and went to the big U of I, her and Andrew talked in a real way for the first time. Claire lived at Allen Hall and had no air conditioning, so Andrew gallantly offered to take her to get ice cream at Jarling's.

Like the good students they were they had to wait for Andrew to have a free evening from homework, and Claire's dad still dropped off her reading homework during their date.

That was their first date, on September 12, 2013 the day before Andrew's Friday the 13th birthday.

The rest, as they say, is history.

They've grown up together and have built a life they love. Here are a few highlights from over the years.

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