Our Story

In 1989, I started attending church. In 1990, Christopher started attending the same church. Though we went to the same church, even went to the same school, the real story began 23 years later in 2012. 

Chris and I kindled a friendship from connecting at a new church. He played the bass with the band where my sister sang and I worked with the kids at church. Often, our paths crossed. We soon began hanging out, with slight flirtations, but I always insisted that Chris was a great friend, nothing more.

We learned to ride a motorcycle in front of his house, where I crashed the practice bike, (sorry, Renda!). We failed the riding license together, then passed the second time. We got into some trouble with fireworks. Chris hosted “Lord of the Ring marathon” nights which ended up just being the two of us. We swapped and suggested books. We spent quite a few hours talking about the past, present, and future as we took care of the kids at church.

After about two years of this great friendship, February of 2015, Chris Tyler said, “Would you like to go on a date with me?” He didn’t tell me what to expect, but he told me what to bring: gloves, something warm for my head, and a good coat. When we pulled up to the train station, I finally made the connection where we were going, but I still didn’t know where. I trusted him, so I followed where he took me. What followed was the best date a girl could imagine: a train ride to dinner in NYC, ice skating and viewing the city lights from the “top of the rock” at Rockefeller Center. At end of the date, I still insisted that we remain simply friends.

After a week of conversations with God, friends, and family, I wanted an intentional conversation with Chris, but I couldn’t approach him myself. However, I didn’t have to, because after a week of avoiding each other, Chris came up to me with another great line, “We can’t avoid each other forever.” And so ensued a conversation that ended hours later.

Weeks went by and I continued to ask him question after question  about life and God. He, in turn, answered each one and asked me questions. As I saw more of his heart, I asked him that if this thing worked out between us, if we could redo our first date. Our friendship became more intentionally developed and I saw him as more than a great friend.

As you hopefully know, Chris took me back to NYC to redo our first date. He surprised me while I was working on schoolwork at Starbucks. He took me on the best date, again. But this night ended with a knee on the ground, a kiss on the lips, and a ring on my finger.

In the past year, Christopher has been my boyfriend and fiance. This summer, he’ll become my husband. Greater than that, he is my best friend, my best ally, my biggest support, my sweetest kiss, the person with whom I want to spend the rest of my life. July 16th can’t come fast enough.

– Stephanie