Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/1307125
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2020 21 club life family matters Family matters Greg Van Gaver Krista Van Gaver Harper, age 7, and Ella, age 4 Shortly aer the COVID-19 pandemic began, Krista and Greg Van Gaver headed for the hills. Greg's mom has a vacation home in Suncadia and had plenty of room for the family to stay. Added bonus—grandma is a retired teacher. "at experience helped me realize how lucky I really am," Greg says. Greg works in the construction industry, so his work essentially stopped for two months. In addition to increased family time, he also enjoyed a renewed commitment to fitness and began triathlon training. When the WAC began to reopen, Greg rushed to make lap swim reservations. "Getting back into Helene Madison Pool was near the top of my list," he says. e Van Gavers joined the WAC aer seeking a club with a gym and expansive social opportunities. "In our minds, there was only one place that fit the bill," Greg says. "We can't imagine our kids not having the WAC in their lives." Post-pandemic, they can't wait to get back to swim lessons, Family Fun Nights, summer camps, and Father Daughter dances, to name just a few. "ere are so many good memories," Krista says. Joseph Peters-Mathews Brandon Peters-Mathews Topher, age 1 Joseph and Brandon Peters-Mathews work in very different fields, both considered "essential." While Brandon, a sleep physician at Virginia Mason, shied to seeing patients via tele- medicine during spring and summer, Joseph, vicar of St. Hilda St. Patrick Episcopal Church in Edmonds, sought ways to lead his congregation digitally. e two dads also balanced raising their young son, Topher, during the emergence of COVID-19. "It took time to find a new routine," Joseph says. "We embraced some new habits and revisited some old ones." Joseph and Brandon originally joined the WAC for fitness. "We were look- ing for a gym close to where we lived at the time, and the WAC was perfect," Brandon says. ey've attended various WAC social events, including a weekend trip to Walla Walla. e fun continues with Topher. "We've really enjoyed participating in WAC events as a family," Joseph says. When Topher was just 11 days old, they brought him to the WAC's annual Halloween Spectacular. e family dressed as Pokémon characters Ditto, Lt. Surge and Brock. "at's definitely one of our top family memories at the WAC so far," Joseph says. C O U R T E S Y V A N G A V E R A N D P E T E R S - M AT H E W S FA M I L I E S Membership All-Star program Share the club you love and become an All-Star! Sponsor three new WAC members by July 31, 2021. We'll say thanks with $500 WACash. Plus, you'll earn a chance at a year of free WAC Parking. Contact membershipinfo@wac.net. Emerging All-Stars sponsor at least one new member during their first year of membership and earn $100 WACash. MEMBERSHIP A L L -S T A R