The District of Southern Midwest (currently District of Texas) held an activity for the youth members in Houston, Texas attended by members from Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and other states. After a spiritual special worship gathering, the youth held a formal luncheon and social gathering at a nearby Crowne Plaza hotel. It so happened that Jerome and Kristine met during one of the icebreaker games called “Look Up.” The game required for ten brothers and ten sisters to line up opposite each other. Each round, the participants looked down and when asked to look up and whoever meets eye to eye would have to introduce themselves. Jerome and Kristine became the last pair to lock eyes. When the host asked why they looked at each other, Jerome answered, “I liked her necklace,” and the crowd burst into laughter. When the host asked Kristine, she replied, “Why not” and smiled as she walked away. The relationship began as Facebook friends and developed through hundreds, and often thousands of text messages and many late-night calls. They became best friends.

After enduring through many stressful nights, Kristine successfully completed her nursing program. Jerome flew in from Texas to celebrate her accomplishment with her and her parents. Jerome and Kristine decided it was time for their relationship to move on to the next stage. Jerome summed up his courage to ask Kristine’s parents, Larry and Beth, permission to officially court Kristine. They gave their permission. Jerome asked Kristine to be his girlfriend and she shyly responded, “Yes.” Although they were separated by hundreds of miles, they endured being in a long-distance relationship. Time came that Jerome was finally able to move to Kansas to be closer to Kristine.

Jerome planned out the special day. He first consulted his parents and concluded that he was ready. Jerome respectfully asked Kristine’s parents for permission and their blessing for him to ask Kristine for her hand in marriage. He prepared a pop-out exploding art box summarizing their relationship. As Kristine revealed each layer, she could not hold back her tears because of the heartwarming surprise prepared for her. Unexpectedly, within the deepest layer of the box hid an even bigger surprise. As she opened the final layer, Jerome asked Kristine to give him the smallest box so he could open it for her. As he opened the last and final box, he knelt on one knee and asked, “Kristine Marie De Jesus Teroy will you marry me?” the crowd was silent with anticipation. Kristine was speechless but cheerfully nodded yes, the crowd went wild. And the wedding preparation begins.