Claire & Alexander
Photography by M. Clay Photography
Claire Cartier and Alexander McDonald IV are pleased to announce their plans to marry on June 4, 2011.
Claire, the daughter of Cherry Victor Cartier and Vernadine Cartier, is a native of Roosevelt, N.Y. Her alma mater is Wake Forest University, and she works as an associate development officer.
Alex, the son of Alexander McDonald III and Jacqueline T. McDonald, is a native of Parsippany, N.J. His alma mater is Norfolk State University, and he works as a loan adjuster specialist.
They both live in the Charlotte area.
The couple met in 2008 when a group of friends from church got together for a bowling competition – guys against girls.
They became closer when the same group decided to follow up with a flag football game on Memorial Day. Through practices and being on the same team, their relationship was strengthened.
“Alex wanted to propose to me in February,” Claire recalls. “With Valentine’s Day on the 14th and my birthday on the 16th, Alex really wanted to surprise me by not proposing on either one of those days. He picked Monday, February 8th.
“He went to my parent’s home that day and asked for their permission. He then did something sneaky…he asked for my extra set of car keys and drove to my job where he decorated my steering wheel with Valentine’s Day heart stickers. He also placed an umbrella I accidentally left in his car in the passenger’s seat of my car. He then- hid in a nearby bush.
“After leaving work, I went to the passenger’s side of my car first to put my bags in and noticed the umbrella. Thinking this was strange, I called Alex, who was still in hiding. He told me he didn’t know anything about the umbrella.
“I stayed on the phone with him as I walked to the driver’s side, opened the door and saw the beautiful stickers! Now I knew something was up.
“Alex finally told me to go to the back of the car. I went to the back expecting to maybe find a gift. That’s when Alex came out of hiding, ran up to me, dropped on one knee and proposed. I was so surprised and happy! I said yes, and here we are…engaged!