Our Story

Melinda's version

Jeff and I met 12 years ago in a “20 Somethings” group we were both attending at our church in Redlands. I have to say, I actually thought he was kind of a “dork”—he loved Disney and electronics and was always quick to open the door for someone or fill their glass with water. I thought to myself, “He is going to make some woman really happy someday.” By the time I left California, I suspected he might be interested in me, but I was off to new adventures in D.C. and I never thought I might be that woman.

Fast forward to August 2011. It was hurricane season on the East Coast. Thankfully, I got the last flight out of DC to visit some friends in California before Hurricane Irene hit. Jeff had moved to New York City, but he happened to be in California too, and we ran into each other at our old church and chatted for a few minutes. He said his flight back to New York had been cancelled due to the hurricane. Later that afternoon, he e-mailed me and asked if I’d like to “catch up” over dinner that evening. I accepted the invitation and we headed out the next night. It felt a little awkward at dinner, both of us not sure if the other really wanted to be there, but we later discovered we both had really enjoyed ourselves.

That October, my sister, Marta, asked me to go with her to NYC for a job interview. I agreed to go along and decided I would reach out to Jeff so I would have someone to hang out with while Marta interviewed. That night Marta and I ended up meeting up with Jeff at a restaurant he liked in Little Italy. It was a fantastic night. We quickly made friends with the waitstaff, the ten of us laughing and joking, closing down the restaurant at around 3:00 a.m. I could tell Jeff was interested. At one point, he brushed against my hand and smiled at me. When we finally left, Jeff, being the gentleman, got us a cab, opened the door for me (it didn’t seem as “dorky” this time), and took us home all the way from Little Italy to East Harlem, before heading home himself. We met up again the next day to chat and stroll along The Highline. But when my sister asked me, I wasn’t ready to admit that I was interested.

For the next few months, Jeff and I chatted via text and e-mail a lot. I expected him to ask me out, but he never did. I wasn’t really sure yet what I was feeling, so I was a little relieved, but also a little perturbed that he had not even asked!

December rolled around and I was up in New York City again for our annual “aunt’s weekend” with my sisters and niece. Jeff met us for dinner and walked around the city with us, charming my five-year-old niece. Eventually Jeff and I split off and chatted till 3:30 a.m. He still hadn’t asked me on a date! Finally, as he was hailing a cab, he asked me, and I replied, “Yes, absolutely!” Jeff came down to Washington, D.C., for our first date on December 17, 2011. Jeff even went in for a kiss on the first night—and I let him! We had a wonderful weekend. I guess you could say I was finally interested . . . okay, maybe a little more than interested.

Getting to know each other long distance, we became experts at long bus and train rides, sleeping on our friends’ couches, and lengthy phone calls. Finally, in the fall of 2013, Jeff took the plunge and moved to D.C. He moved less than a half mile from me. It was a treat to finally be able to go out on a Friday night without traveling four-plus hours to see each other. Through many ups and downs, as we navigated our relationship, I fell in love with Jeff’s caring heart, sense of humor, his chivalry, and his love of Christ. I can’t believe what a gentleman he is and how special he makes me feel.

On January 17, 2016, Jeff planned an elaborate proposal for me in the National Gallery of Art (a favorite museum of mine). He had the ring displayed on a bench like a piece of art. Family and friends were hidden, watching and waiting to share in the joy. It was magical. When he got down on one knee, I responded, “Yes, absolutely!” I knew he was the one. We toasted that evening to our future and dreamed of our wedding day.

Jeff's Version

boy meets girl.
boy likes girl.
8 years pass.
boy re-connects with girl.
boy dates girl.
boy loves girl.
boy marries girl.
boy is SO happy.