With a mouth-full of sunflower seeds (classic), Chris wandered into the Prestonwood Student Ministry Offices where Abby Grace was visiting with some of the staff. Through other staff members and social media, Chris quickly identified AG as the "oldest Coates", and introduced himself - sunflowers seeds and all. Let's be honest, AG also already knew who Chris was - he was the intern that wore the golden morph suit at Summer Camp her senior year in 2014. He made quite the first impression.

Many don't know this, but Chris and AG went on a coffee date shortly after meeting. AG had been working at GracePoint Church and Chris had been working at Prestonwood Baptist Church when they met. Ironically, they each got new jobs at each other's churches. During the job transitions, and about two weeks after they had met, Chris asked AG to coffee to "discuss ministry," but much more was discussed than church dynamics and student ministry strategies. This little get-together was greatly enjoyed by each of them and prayers were answered in ways they didn't even realize on that particular day. However, life kept moving, new jobs began, and a second date was never had that year.

Abby Grace was given an opportunity to go on a Mission Trip to Zambia in July of 2017. This trip ultimately opened a door for her to return to GracePoint as a Student Ministry intern. By this point, Chris had been the Student Pastor at GracePoint for ten months, and he was looking forward to some extra help. Each of them had disregarded the date they had the previous year. Abby Grace went back to the job thinking dating was out of the question - she was the intern and he the boss. Not to mention, the lack of a second phone call was a pretty hard no in AG's mind. Chris didn't think much of it as well. However, that all changed within a couple of weeks. Within four weeks of being back at GracePoint, both of them admitted to themselves that they liked the other. While sitting at a table at Cafe Brazil at dinner with friends, Chris realized that he enjoyed everything about Abby Grace and wanted to pursue her, while Abby Grace tried to "play cool" and ignore the butterflies Chris set off in her stomach. After that night, six weeks of "testing the waters" followed. "Guys, he bought a mini-fridge and filled it with coke... He doesn't like coke, I do. Is that weird?" Abby Grace asked her roommates one day after work. Naturally, a boss and intern relationship was tricky waters to navigate and precautions would have to be taken. Chris had to know pursuing Abby Grace was worth the risk. So, naturally, buying fridges full of coke was one of the many ways he tested the waters. Meanwhile, AG not knowing exactly how to respond, yet equally flattered, kept playing it cool.

Abby Grace left for two weeks for the Mission trip to Zambia. The day after she returned, they went to their boss' house for a movie night - each of them realizing that they had missed the other. After all, they had quickly become great friends. Once returning, Abby Grace identified that Chris had missed her and loosened up a bit - enough for Chris to tell that she was interested in that second date after all. On July 8, 2018, after an evening spent at Sonic with friends, Chris walked Abby Grace to her car and took the great leap - he squared up and asked Abby Grace on an official date. A few days later, they went to the Dallas Art Museum, an arcade, and Hop Daddy's for fries and shakes. (For those of you wondering, Chris was no longer Abby Grace's boss when their relationship began. However, they did keep the relationship under wraps for about four months.)

Nearly a year later after the sparks flew, some of their friends invited Abby Grace to what she thought was a girls night at Cafe Brazil. However, she showed up to find Chris Meads instead of the girls. When AG saw him, she froze in her tracks fully knowing what was happening. Chris motioned AG to his table, but she didn't make it much further out of shock and excitement. Chris met her halfway and there, where it all began (again), he asked her to marry her. Amongst the happy tears, she said yes.

This little story, the beginning of the rest of their lives together, proclaims nothing but Lord's faithfulness in Chris and Abby Grace's lives. Countless details have been seen throughout this journey that point to God's continuous and unfathomable grace. He is indescribably gracious to give Chris and Abby Grace to each other ultimately to know Him more and to make Him known. They are so excited and humbled to pursue and experience their Father together for the rest of their lives.