Charlene - I still remember the evening I first saw Jerrel. Our church was having a banquet, and I volunteered to be one of the servers. While everyone else was eating in the beautifully decorated gym, the servers got to eat in the dining hall. College students who were coming late from work were given a designated spot in the dining area, and high schoolers like me ate at separate tables. That is when I noticed Jerrel sitting at the college tables eating dinner. I recall thinking he was so handsome. Soon after, I had an ever-growing crush on Jerrel. But, we didn't officially meet till I grew up and started attending college. Jerrel- We actually happened to be on the same college bus route together and met through that ministry. I was a senior in college and she was a freshman. Later that year, I decided to take a chance and ask her on the very LAST date of the year: the beach bonfire. When I asked her out, she responded with, "Are you sure?" I didn't know how to respond to that! Eventually, she agreed to go. We now both agree that the bonfire was definitely one of the best dates we've ever had. We hit it off, and the rest is history. While our love story isn't perfect, we treasure it all the same. We truly believe that the best is still yet to come!

On December 23, 2020, Charlene's family hiked up one of the Fremont hills to take family portraits. On the way up, she was very shocked to see Jerrel at the peak. That is when she realized that Jerrel was proposing. It was a magical and unforgettable moment in time. The scenery surrounding them was breathtaking, and of course, she said yes. 🙂