The Certain Family

BY KIERA OLUOKUN

BY STRAIN PHOTOGRAPHY

Matthew and Crystal Certain make it look easy when it comes to juggling the responsibilities of career life and family life. They are involved in everything from raising three boys to volunteering with cosplay groups to maintaining Crystal’s local food pantry, Certain Little Free Class Pantry at Conway High School. This summer, the Certains will celebrate their 18th wedding anniversary and although both Matthew and Crystal manage very busy lives, Crystal says, “With enough love, support, and patience we can do almost anything.”

After meeting at UCA and dating for 5 years, the Certains officially tied the knot almost 18 years ago. “We met in college at UCA in front of the dorms. A friend dragged me out there in my pajamas and there he [Matt] was. We started dating a few months later,” remembers Crystal. Matthew was born in Texas, grew up in Indiana, and moved to Little Rock in high school while Crystal is originally from Little Rock. Attending UCA is what brought the two to the Faulkner County area over 20 years ago. “Conway is such a great place to live,” says Matthew. Crystal enjoys living in Faulkner County because “it has an unparalleled balance of natural beauty and urban comforts. We can drive fifteen minutes, or less, from our house and have access to shopping, dining, arts and cultural events, biking trails, community centers, parks and playgrounds, and hiking trails.”

Currently Matthew is a Technical Support Manager for Acxiom—a job that he enjoys because it allows him to help people with their technical problems. Crystal is an Art teacher at Conway High School. “I absolutely love my job,” says Crystal.

“Conway kids are awesome, and it is a privilege to share my love of art with them!” Outside of their busy careers, Matthew is a member of the 501st Diamond Garrison—a Star Wars cosplay volunteer organization that works with local charities and events. Crystal volunteers with several local organizations doing cosplay characters such as princesses, a good witch, a fairy, a mermaid, and occasionally a dinosaur. If that is not enough to keep the couple active, Crystal runs Certain Little Free Class Pantry at Conway High School—a pantry that helps offset childhood food insecurity in the community. She is also a working artist, and her art sales go to support her costume purchases and other volunteer activities. Besides their three sons, Jonas (15), Elijah (13), and Kane (6), they also have two corgis, Fred, and George; a cat, Princess Peach; and a new puppy

that has yet to be named. Crystal is also enrolled in a Graduate Program which can make things more complicated. She says that the boys take responsibility for household chores and are always ready to step up and help. “We view challenges as a team effort so if things need to be shifted around then that is just what we do,” says Crystal.

The Certains do not let the busyness of life distract them from having fun and spending time together— something that is key to the family. They love to attend local events, hike, and shop local at places such as Bell Urban Farm and Neighborhood Pet Shoppe. Matthew says that the biggest strength in their relationship is that they have an abundance of love and compassion for each other. “Communication is strong both as a couple, and as a family. We take the time to talk through decisions and make sure everyone feels heard and supported. We also have a good sense of humor and an understanding that things may not work out as intended, but they will work out.”