How We Met

Caitlynn and I usually just say we met in China to skip the details. And while we did, however, meet briefly at a pre-departure orientation, we didn't really meet up or talk until China. She lived across the hall from me, and since I didn't have a roommate, she and her roommate would often visit and harass me when I was trying to study. At least that's the story I stick to.

Over time, I realized Caitlynn was an exceptional girl. I always believed that the best way to know someone is to travel with that person. You see how the individual adjusts to new environments, handles stressful situations, and interacts with people who have different ideas or lifestyles. Witnessing each other's adaptability, we quickly became friends.

Towards the end of of the year, shortly before Caitlynn was to return to America, we discovered that each of us had feelings for the other. I knew that no matter how far I traveled, I would never find a girl like Caitlynn. A woman, in fact, who saw the world as I did: God's marvelous creation designed for us to enjoy with him and together with humanity. So I told her that, after leaving me, leaving China, and returning home without the distractions, if she asked me to come back for her and live our adventure together, then I would. The next month I got a phone call from her one morning shortly before I left for Southeast Asia.

"Please come back for me," she said.

And I did. The next month she picked me up at the Kansas City airport. She helped me restart my stateside life, but we knew it would only be temporary as we wanted to return to China by the next fall. I met her family and she met mine. We began attending Antioch Church together and our lives quickly became intertwined and inseparable. Every day, I became more certain that she was the girl for me.

So two months after returning to China, as we were hiking a mountain together, I knew I couldn't wait any more. So I pulled out the ring which she had been unknowingly carrying all along and I asked her to marry me. So here we are now and excited for you to celebrate at our wedding with us this year on July 4th.

To RSVP click here. To see the full proposal story, click here.