Kelli's Version On a Friday in 2017 we met at the Devine’s house for the Metro Church Singles Group. One Sunday at 9am church service I recognized him and we spoke. From that moment on, any 9am service that we both attended, we sat together. Spencer's Version Kelli and I met through the singles group at Metro Church in what was probably February 2017. It wasn’t love at first sight, but it was some kind of connection that eventually turned into a friendship. It also didn’t hurt that we were the only two in the group who went to the early church service. At first it was just a couple of people who knew each other from somewhere sitting together at church so we weren’t alone, but you can only do that for so long before you actually start talking to each other.

Kelli's Version Oct 17, 2017 Spencer sent a message to our church group chat to see if anyone was interested in going to the Redskins vs Vikings game the following month since he had an extra ticket. I had never been to a football game and always wanted to go to one, so I took him up on the offer! Plus I thought what better way to spend my birthday weekend than by going to my very first football game. In the meantime, we would randomly chat about anything just getting to know each other. Our conversations always seemed natural and we had no expectations or worries. Spencer's Version She eventually figured out that I was an actual person and we had a lot in common, such as we're both morning people, and we both enjoy sushi and seafood. Soon, we would be gravitating towards each other during group outings and talking about anything that came to mind about work, our lives, our upbringing or anything else. Most importantly, Kelli became someone I could trust. We were talking about movies one day and she mentioned that she often went to the movies alone because she enjoyed movies so much. I thought that was weird…who does that? Eventually, I started going to the movies with her and we would hang out and talk afterwards. Our outings as “friends” also included a football game when the Vikings were in town.

Kelli's Version The Friday before Easter Sunday, Spencer messaged me that he was doing the Saturday 5pm Easter service and his parents were coming with him and asked if I'd meet them. Of course I responded saying I was doing that same service and would love to meet his parents. I tend to read into EVERYTHING, but this was the first time that I didn't. It made perfect sense that he wanted one of his closest friends to meet his parents. Plus, we always sit together at church on Sundays so why would it be any different on a Saturday? After service, Spencer invited me to family dinner. The whole time, there were instances where I was really confused...his parents were asking me questions and making comments that implied we were dating. I played it cool, but in the back of my mind I knew Spencer had to be uncomfortable. When it became clear at the end of the night that they really liked me, I felt bad for them and hoped they weren’t disappointed when they learned I was just a friend. The next day (Easter) I woke up confused. I didn’t know what to think! I prayed and knew that God would guide me, and felt a nudge just to go with the flow. Spencer invited me to dinner (again!)...his parents were making steaks. Looking back, I know it was all God because I stopped eating beef 10 years prior! I was going with the flow. When he picked me up for dinner, he held my hand. And then when we got to his apartment parking garage he was extremely nervous and blurted out that we should date. I stood there for a moment because I was just sooo confused...but I eventually said yes! Spencer's Version Eventually, I had her meet my parents (this was really the test) and they were really impressed by her in a number of ways, after I took her home, my dad made the comment “If you don’t try to date her, I’m going to kick your ass.” Not exactly the wise words I was hoping to hear, but it was still the voice of God nonetheless.