"What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate"

Our love story began one evening at a Global Business Network event. My friend and I decided to attend to meet international students and find job opportunities. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, I walked into the college of business ready to make my way in the business world. I, first, saw executives at Otterbox, professors, and business students. However, my ears were suddenly drawn to a sweet, confident woman speaking in the middle of the room. I, without hesitation, approached the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen. I said, “You look like you're in charge here and I’ve got to meet you." She, in fact, was the president of the club and in charge of the whole event. We began to talk about our shared passion for other cultures and nations. Makayla had just returned from studying abroad in Chile. I had just returned from a summer mission trip in Trinidad. In this, we found out we both were saved by Jesus Christ. We both were involved in local churches in Fort Collins. We both found discipleship and community in the same campus ministry at CSU. With all this in common, we amazingly had never met. I obviously wanted to see this girl again. But, how? The event was too professional to ask for her number. I pondered later that night with some friends my next move. Thankfully, my friend Natalie was able to find her on Facebook. I messaged her the following, “Hey Makayla, It's Chase from the Otter Event. I wanted to thank you for bringing in Steven. I got a lot out of it. Also, I enjoyed talking to you and appreciated our shared convictions:)” My plan was to see her at the Global Business Network meeting the following week. Much to my dismay, I learned the following Wednesday that the club was not meeting the rest of the semester. In panic of never seeing her again, I called Makayla over Facebook which simply isn’t done...

When I called, Makayla was hanging out with her roommate, Annie. She was shook and held the ringing phone in her hands until I hung up. She wondered, “Who calls people over Facebook?” and “Why is this dude calling me?” I finally hung up and messaged her. I said, “Makayla! Sad there's no meeting tonight. I have a couple questions on international business stuff:) Can you give me a call today or tomorrow?” Admittedly, I didn’t want to talk about “international business,” and she knew it. With God’s grace after that stunt, she responded, “Hi Chase! It is too bad we don’t have a meeting tonight, hopefully you can make it to our meeting with Panda Express after break! My number is xxx-xxx-xxxx. I’m available any time this afternoon if you want to give me a call.” We talked on the phone later that afternoon. She asked me about my day and if I was busy that night. I asked her about her day and her plans for the evening. She was free that evening. She, then, asked me for my questions about “international business.” In a stroke of courage and brilliance, I responded, “You know this conversation would be better over coffee, are you free tonight?” She agreed to meet, and we met at Momo Lolo Coffee that evening. The conversation was natural and amazing. Sparks flew! We discussed many things over the next three hours; except, we never did discuss “international business."

What next? Well, I was headed to New York for Thanksgiving break on Friday. This meant 10 days of not seeing the girl of my dreams. Thankfully, a snowstorm cancelled my flight on Friday. It seemed predestined to occur. I had to ask Makayla on a proper date. But, what type of date would suit the girl of my dreams? I, mistakenly, chose my top four options. I called her and said, “Hey Makayla, I was wondering if you wanted to go to dinner, dessert, a worship night with my roommates, and swing dancing?” She responded, “Dinner sounds good.” I said, “Great, and you can call it a date if you want." She said, “If I want?” I said, “It’s a date... yeah, it’s a date.” Nevertheless, we had an incredible romantic night in downtown Fort Collins. Afterwards, I called and told every person I knew that I’d found the woman of my dreams.