21 Sep 2014 Couples: The Churchills

Michelle and Chris Churchill are “Loving LIFE” in Conway, where she works at Freeman Medical Clinic, and he is employed at the University of Central Arkansas. 

HER   Michelle Churchill

Native of: Wynne, Ark.

Where did you grow up: I grew up in Wynne, “The city with a smile.” I did a whole lot of babysitting, I belonged to the Methodist church and played clarinet in the band. I still say I’m going home when I talk about visiting Wynne.

Education: Wynne High School, 1996; University of Central Arkansas, bachelor of science in nursing in 2003; UAMS, master’s of science in nursing in 2009.

Job: Nurse practitioner with Dr. Alex Freeman at Freeman Family Medicine in Conway.

Parents: Mom is Julia Massey Thomas of Cherry Valley, a retired high school teacher who still lives in Wynne. Dad is Mike Dodd, a native of Memphis and a med flight helicopter pilot in Huntsville, Ala.

Hobbies/special interests: For fun, my husband and I like to ride bikes and cook and spend time with our family and friends.

How would you describe yourself: I’d say easy going. Oh, and a neat freak.

Favorite restaurant in the 501: We love Mean Bean Café for lunch and How Do You Roll for dinner or date night.

Most enjoyed weekend activity: We love going to the lake on the weekends. A close second would be getting to lounge around all weekend with no real plans, but that doesn’t happen very often.

Favorite quote: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou

What do you love about living in the 501: I love living in Conway! I love the people, our patients, the bike lanes, the schools, our friends, our neighborhood and I secretly love the roundabouts. Oh, and we do have an awesome T.J. Maxx. 

HIM   Chris Churchill

Native of: Honolulu.

Where did you grow up: North Little Rock.

Education: Bachelor of arts in mass communication and master’s in fine arts in digital filmmaking, University of Central Arkansas.

Job: Lecturer of digital filmmaking and director of Channel 6 Television at UCA.

Parents: Steve Churchill of San Francisco and Jeannie Churchill of Chelsea, Mass.

Hobbies/special interests: Cycling, home brewing, digital art and graphic design, media, technology.

How would you describe yourself: I generally don’t.

Favorite restaurant in the 501: Loca Luna.

Most enjoyed weekend activity: A quiet weekend at home with my family.

Favorite quote: “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” — Winston Churchill

What do you love about living in the 501: The 501 in general and Conway in particular have flourished in the past 15 years. Conway really benefits from being a town between three colleges. It’s a great place to raise a family. The cultural scene in Little Rock has really blossomed into something enviable — great music, local art/artists and lots of fantastic food.

THEM  

Residents of: Conway.

How we met: Chris had a roommate in college who was a friend of mine. One Christmas break when his roommate was out of town, we started hanging out, and we’ve been hanging out ever since.

The proposal: We had been talking for a while about getting engaged, and I was really expecting a ring for Christmas one year. So when the time came, he took me outside on the back deck, and I really thought, “This is it!” I was all ready for an elaborate, romantic proposal, and the ring! But when I walked out there, he had bought me a fire pit. A. Fire. Pit. I was so devastated. I couldn’t hide my disappointment. I guess he felt guilty, because later that night he gave in and gave me my real present, the ring.

Wedding bells: We were married May 17, 2008, in the back yard of our dear friends, Jason and Ayisha Miller, in Conway.

Children: We have a 13-year-old daughter, Camille, who keeps us busy with competitive cheerleading at Sonshine Academy, and a 15-month-old son, Ben, who keeps us busy with diapers.

Pets: One cat named Kitty and two hermit crabs, Ashton and Loki.

Family activities enjoyed together: We like watching movies, going to the lake and having dinner parties.