HIM   Paul Bradley

Native of: Conway.

Education: University of Central Arkansas, bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in management information systems, 2006; and a master’s degree in business administration, 2010.

Job: Director of marketing and communications, Conway Regional Health System.

Why did you choose your vocation: I’ve always had an interest in technology. From a young age, I have been involved with building websites and programming applications. Right out of college, I began working at Acxiom and saw the importance of technology and data driven marketing. I also have a creative bent about me, so the director of marketing position at Conway Regional was a perfect fit.

Parents: Floyd and Debra Bradley of Conway.

Community activities: I have been the accompanist for the Conway Men’s Chorus since 2006. I am 2017 graduate of the Conway Area Leadership Institute. Meredith and I are both year-round volunteers of Samaritan’s Purse/Operation Christmas Child.

Church activities: I am a member of the worship team at Fellowship Bible Church. I also assist Meredith with design and decorating at the church — I’m the Chip to her Joanna.

Hobbies/special interests: I am a classically trained pianist and have played the piano since I was 5 years old.

What is one thing people don’t know about you: I am actually pretty introverted and was very shy as a kid.

Most enjoyed weekend activity: I enjoy spending time with my family at Greers Ferry Lake and at the pool.

What do you enjoy most about living in the 501: I’m very partial to Conway, but it’s a great large “small” town. It is rare to go anywhere and not see someone I know, but Conway has many amenities seen in larger cities.

HER  Meredith Bradley

Native of: Jonesboro; grew up in Harrisburg.

Education: University of Central Arkansas, bachelor of science (interior design) degree.

Job: I am currently a stay-at-home mom, but have spent time working in home improvement and retail.

Parents: Gary and Julie Brown, new residents of Conway (just moved from Jonesboro).

Community activities: I am on the leadership team of Koinonia Cooperative Academy, a home-school co-op in Conway. I also serve as a year-round volunteer with Samaritan’s Purse/Operation Christmas Child.

Church activities: I currently lead the design and décor teams at Fellowship Bible Church. Fellowship recently completed a very large children’s ministry expansion, so my team and I were heavily involved in that building and finishing process.

How would you describe yourself: According to enneagram, I’m a Type Two. I am a caring, interpersonal type: generous, demonstrative and a people pleaser.

What is one thing people don’t know about you: I am a first degree blackbelt in Taekwondo and Shorin Ryu.

What do you enjoy most about living in the 501: I really enjoy the community and small-town feeling.

THEM

Residents of: Conway.

How we met: We were both involved with the Baptist Collegiate Ministry at UCA. 

The proposal: I (Paul) bought the ring, kept it for about three days, and it burned a hole in my pocket (I am terrible at keeping gifts a surprise). I had a picture book made, featuring many photos of Meredith and I, along with a few of our friends. At the end of the book, there was a blurred photo of a rose with a ring on it. While Meredith was trying to figure out the photo, I slipped the ring out of my pocket and asked her if she would marry me. Much to my relief, she said yes. (I’m still bad at keeping gifts a surprise.)

Wedding bells: May 23, 2009, at Woodland Heights Baptist Church in Conway.

Children: Karis, Levi and Ezra.

Pets: Cats, Trixie and Lizzie. 

Family activities enjoyed together: Annually, our family packs shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. It has been a great way for us to get our kids involved in an activity that teaches them to put others first. In the summer, we also enjoy spending a lot of time in the pool.

More information: Early on during our marriage, we were given some great advice that has really served us well. The advice was to set aside time each year for a trip for just the two of us. Doing so has become much more complicated since having kids, but it has been really helpful in our relationship.