By Christian Coffman

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Croquet on a sunny day means bonding time for the Walker family.

When The Dart landed on Edgewood Road Thursday, it found Brad and Jennifer Walker playing croquet with their children.

The couple has been together for three years and married for nearly one.

“Our anniversary is coming up next month on Easter,” Jennifer said.

Brad and Jennifer met in high school. She attended Vidalia High School, and he attended Natchez High School.

Jennifer moved to Carrollton, Texas, when she was 20, then to Jackson.

“I left (Natchez) because I got married, and I left (Carrollton) because I got divorced,” So I guess that would be the beginning and the end,” Jennifer said, laughing.

When Jennifer moved back to Natchez three years ago, she reconnected with Brad and the two fell in love.

Jennifer’s children, McNeil and Bella Bennett, 15 and 9, and Brad’s children Gage and Ava Walker, also 15 and 9, are now a blended family.

The family enjoys playing basketball and board games, watching movies and spending time outside.

As the family held their mallets during their croquet game, Jennifer said she grew up playing croquet with her grandmother, the reason she has such an affinity for the leisurely sport.

“I just wanted to introduce it to the kids,” she said. “They’ve never played before, so we’re doing it off the side.”

The children agreed that their mother’s pasttime was fun, and the enjoy hanging out together.

Bella jokes that she is often perturbed by Ava.

“We’re trying to get along,” Bella said with a guarded smile.