James – Dentist & Owner of Broadway Dental Care
Claire – Occupational Therapist at Baptist Health Paducah
Lucy – 5 – Preschooler, lover of dinosaurs, swimming, and arts & crafts
Sophie – 3 – Preschooler, dancer, dress-up queen, and junk food junkie
Tell us how you and your spouse met and how long you have been married.
We met in college at Saint Louis University our second week of freshman year in 2006. We met briefly on a weekend and realized we had a class together. After the first test, Claire got a grade she was less than pleased about and wrongly assumed that James aced it. Claire asked to study together, which turned into weekly lunches and study sessions before tests. It was found out much later that James, in fact, did not get an A on the first test. But, we’ve been together ever since! Together for 14 years – married for 9.
Tell us about where each of you grew up and how you landed in Paducah.
James – I grew up in Paducah. I originally didn’t think I would return after graduating high school, but as time went on, I saw the importance of being back home close to my family and Claire’s family in Cape Girardeau. I knew we would want to raise children in a tight-knit community. Kinney and Kathy Slaughter offered me an opportunity to be an associate at Broadway Dental Care while in my latter years of dental school. It made the move a no-brainer.
Claire – I was born and raised in Cape Girardeau. I loved being from Cape and had a great childhood – wonderful parents, friends, and school experiences. For college, I wanted a big city experience. James and I connected because we were from a similar area with similar values; it’s really what bonded us. James got a job offer in Paducah during his time in Louisville for dental school. I was thrilled because I knew that would put us close to his family and very close to mine.
What is your favorite holiday?
James – Thanksgiving
Claire – CHRISTMAS! Preparations begin in November prior to Thanksgiving, much to James’ chagrin.
What is your favorite thing about Paducah?
The people. I’ve always maintained that you can live in a city with everything, but if you don’t have a community that you can lean on, it doesn’t compare.
How do you spend your summer breaks?
The past few summers have been spent at home with a trip or two to Florida. We spend a lot of time at the pool with the girls. They have been learning to swim and love it. James golfs when he can, and we enjoy lots of time outside.
What does your spouse do to make you feel special?
James – Claire always thinks of little thoughtful things to do or say each day. She’s very intentional with thinking of small things to make me smile: notes in my wallet, bringing me lunch on her day off, and making sure the house has all my favorite snacks.
Claire – James brings me coffee every morning. It’s so small, but it makes me smile every day, and it’s a nice moment before the kids are up and the day is hectic.
How do you manage work and family time?
We try to leave work at work. We’re able to do that because we can’t do work from home since we’re in healthcare, but mentally checking out of work is becoming increasingly more important. Of course, there are times when that isn’t possible, but we’re at our happiest when we can be present with our family in our home.
What are the core values of your family?
Humility. We talk about it a lot and how we can teach it to our children. It encompasses gratitude and self-reflection. We hope to show our children that we are blessed in many, many ways and to share our gifts with a grace that does not require recognition.
Do you have any family traditions?
On Valentines Day, James gets all three Hunt women flowers, and we have pink waffles for dinner. The florals and breakfast spread get a little more elaborate each year, but our girls look forward to it, and it’s a bright spot in the gray of winter.
What brings you the greatest joy as a parent?
Watching our children truly love one another. When they play, they’re immersed in make-believe, dress up, coloring, riding scooters, or having a movie night. If one gets a small treat from a teacher for good behavior, they ask for an extra or save some for the other. Their reunion in the Baptist Hospital Day Care lobby is a loud shriek of laughter and hugs so hard they fall to the ground. We feel so lucky that they genuinely love each other and love being together. Having children very close together wasn’t always easy in the early stages. They are 19 months apart. They don’t have many memories without each other.
Tell us something interesting about your family that we may not know.
Many evenings in our kitchen end in dance parties with karaoke. Car rides are not had without a sing-a-long and dancing in our seats. Right now, the girls love it. I’m sure we’ll have an era of time that they will roll their eyes, but I don’t think that will stop the silliness.
Do you have nicknames for your kids?
Lucy – Lu Lu, Lucy B
Sophie – Sophers, Sophie Shark
Questions for kids:
What’s your favorite thing to do as a family?
We like to go out to a restaurant together!
