Our Story
His Story
The first time I met Christa in person was a Tuesday night while I was on my Pediatrics rotation. I came straight from work, and had actually gotten off early that night. I thought I would squeeze some studying in while I was waiting for Christa to arrive. I sat at the table with my pediatric textbook open being a good medical student, with the added bonus of attempting to impress her by looking smart with a book at the brewery. I was beyond excited when she came through the door bundled to the nose, wearing her massive WWII style winter jacket. I was immediately impressed with her bright personality, her warm and caring nature, and her humbleness. We ended up chatting for 2 hours and I knew that I would need to see her again.
Our second date was dinner at La Tortilleria. Again, I was so impressed and taken aback with Christa. She was so poised yet so accessible. After dinner we strolled around the Central West End and got to know each other better. Our third date was the true test. I invited Christa rock climbing and she was a natural. She was so intentional and delicate in her movements, but what impressed me the most was her willingness to try new things and her sheer determination and tenacity in which she approached a challenge.
I knew Christa was the woman I was going to marry after we had been “officially” dating for 6 weeks and she agreed to go on a 32 mile backpacking trip over 2 days in the middle of the winter. She had never been backpacking, and I had overlooked the fact that she had been dealing with IT band pain for the past few weeks. Nevertheless, she was incredibly determined to finish, even after we got lost and ended up bushwhacking for an hour. We may have also ran out of water with 7 miles left to go on the second day. Christa is a truly incredible woman and I am so grateful that God has put her in my life.
Her Story
I distinctly and vividly remember my first date with Dylan. It was a Tuesday night, November 11th to be exact, and it was freezing and bitter cold in St. Louis. I remember texting John and telling him I was going on a date. I told him he should give me a call before, in hopes that we could talk to calm some on my pre-first-date nerves. He unfortunately responded with a brisk ‘I have orchestra rehearsal -- can’t talk’ text, and I knew I was off to get ready and calm my nerves on my own.
I bundled up and drove over to Urban Chestnut, a local brewery in St. Louis, to meet up with Dylan. I walked in and saw him sitting at a table next to the wall in a collared shirt and tie reading his pediatrics book. We had a lovely first date, and had the entire brewery to ourselves by the end of the evening.
Each date I went on with Dylan left me significantly more excited for the next. I couldn’t wait for our next date, which turned out to be Tortilliaria in Central West End, a last minute change in plans due to a few inches of snow. And our next -- rock climbing (aside: I could barely hold a pencil in my 10am class the next morning). And our next -- dinner at Dylan’s...and our next -- painting (where I very distinctly remember being frustrated and antsy when we postponed our date by a day due to street closures in St. Louis from the rioting caused by the Michael Brown case).
Within a few short weeks of our first date, I knew Dyaln was someone special. He was so kind, so respectful, so warm, so dedicated, so wonderful, so passionate, so loving. I had an offer acceptance deadline at the end of December for a job in Boston post graduation. I declined the offer without any other job offers lined up, and quickly went from searching for any position not in St. Louis to positions only in St. Louis, knowing a relationship with Dyaln was something I could not give up for a job.
As the weeks marched on, through dinner dates, study dates, rock climbing dates, 32 mile backpacking trips, and by simply spending quality time together -- I knew deep in my heart that Dylan was the man I was going to marry. He brings such joy and happiness into my life. He is incredibly loving, kind, and a God honoring man. He is so passionate, dedicated, wise, and caring. Words cannot even begin to describe my love for Dylan and how extremely blessed I am that God brought Dylan into my life. I simply cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with my best friend, my biggest confidant, my partner in crime, and my true other half.