Jacqui and David technically first “met” over eight years ago at the same church — but only from a distance, as strangers passing by. At the time, Jacqui was far too introverted to imagine introducing herself to someone new, and David had no idea that the girl across the room would one day become his wife... Years later, David kept hearing about a girl named Jacqui from his close friend Caroline. She would often talk about how kind, thoughtful, and genuine her friend was. David found himself increasingly curious — wondering how someone like that, who also loved the Lord, could possibly still be single. He even asked for an introduction in 2022… but it wouldn’t happen until much later. In April 2024, Caroline (with some backup from Jacqui’s cousin Becky) finally reached out about setting them up. Jacqui wasn’t looking to date at the time and was hesitant — it took a two-hour phone call from Caroline to convince her to agree to a group game night (not even a one-on-one date). The final reassurance? Not one, but two trusted people vouched for David. At the very least, she felt confident he wasn’t a serial killer. When May arrived, Caroline and her husband Chris graciously hosted the long-awaited board game night. David arrived early to calm his nerves. But when Jacqui walked through the door — carrying an impressively large bag of board games — he froze for a moment because of how beautiful she was. He quickly recovered and offered to carry the bag inside. What followed was a night filled with laughter, competitive banter (Jacqui’s competitive side wasted no time showing up), and meaningful conversation. When the evening ended, David walked Jacqui to her car, debating whether he should ask for her number. Not wanting to ruin a great night or make her uncomfortable, he decided not to. Thankfully, Caroline stepped in. Five minutes into their drives home, she called them both — and that night, David sent Jacqui a sweet text that marked the beginning of something special. Their first official date took place in June after Jacqui wrapped up maid-of-honor duties for her sister’s wedding. They grabbed boba and walked through David’s childhood neighborhood, talking for hours. Dinner was at Arirang, where they ordered spicy soondubu. Unfortunately, David was recovering from a summer cold and underestimated both the spice level and his throat’s tolerance. One sip in, he had a full coughing attack in the middle of the restaurant — but powered through in an admirable (if not slightly painful) attempt to impress Jacqui. She thought it was both funny and sweet. From McDonald’s runs and grocery store trips to trying new restaurants and sharing late-night conversations about faith and life, it didn’t take long for them to realize something special was unfolding. Their relationship grew steadily — rooted in shared faith, patience, trust, and a lot of laughter. They discovered that the most meaningful moments weren’t just the big milestones, but the quiet, everyday ones spent side by side. The proposal was a joyful surprise, filled with happy tears and an enthusiastic “yes” — a moment that felt simple, intentional, and full of love, just like their relationship. Now, they’re excited to begin this next chapter together and are so grateful for the family and friends who supported them (and gently nudged them along the way). They can’t wait to celebrate with the people they love most. 🤍