Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/303138
better together T his past February, Laura Wigren traveled back to Seattle from Chicago. When she arrived at home, boyfriend Landry Christofferson and their French bulldog, Guinness, greeted her at the door. "I noticed [Guinness] was wearing a different dog tag with a bow on it," Laura says. "I looked at the heart- shaped tag and on it was written, 'Will you marry me?'" A year earlier, Laura and Landry met at the WAC's Tubing & Brews event. After chatting for a bit, they realized they had a lot in common—Laura a financial advisor, Landry a CPA. "We've been together ever since," Laura says. They enjoy attending 20s/30s events together and volunteered in the casino at last year's Jubilee. "The WAC has a special place in our hearts," Laura adds. That place grew even stronger when Laura accepted Landry's marriage proposal. HOME AWAY FROM HOME The 20s/30s group also serves as a key social outlet for member Caroline Burke. Caroline moved to Seattle from Denver in 2001 and calls the WAC her home away from home. After joining the 20s/30s Committee in 2012, she's been introduced to many new friends, including Nicole Both, Tyler Cooley, and Karl Uri. The group often attends the same events together and meets weekly for happy hour at Torchy's or Hagerty's. "Now everyone I meet is only a few degrees of separation away [from each other]," Caroline says. Adds Nicole: "When you're on a committee, you're invested to have new friends." Karl, who serves on the Food & Beverage Committee, agrees. "It's a great way to build an instant social life," he says. His WAC friendships extend beyond Club activities, as well. Somewhat stereotypically, he's a Norwegian living in Ballard. There, he introduced fellow neighborhood residents Tyler and Nicole to some of the area's fishing and Norwegian cultural events. "Some of Tyler and my best friends are from the WAC," Nicole says. Laura, Nicole and Tyler all attended the 20s/30s trip to Portland this past April. "It's been a consistent place where we all meet," Caroline says. "For such a huge club, the WAC is small in so many ways." At a recent happy hour get-together, the group gathered over drinks and appetizers. They joked with one another and raised their glasses. Karl waved to a friend across the room and the group grew. The sun settled outside, and from the looks of it, they were a thousand miles away from the early morning workout crowd. Then again, the camaraderie couldn't have been more familiar. —Naomi Thalenberg is WAC Magazine editorial assistant. MAY 2014 | Washington Athletic Club Magazine | 33 familiar faces