When people asked us how we met, I sometimes jokingly tell them that we met in Paris – it just sounds more romantic that way. The truth is that we met on Eharmony.com. I’m not sure why meeting online has a bad connotation to it, because it really shouldn’t, especially in our case. Regardless of how a couple meets, I think the important thing is that they do eventually find each other – and what happens from that point on is where the romantic begins and a love story is made.
I distinctly remember the first time I saw Holly, even her picture. It was the day after Thanksgiving, 2014, but this particular Friday wasn’t black at all. I was sitting in the big recliner chair in the living room of my sister’s house, sipping on a cup of morning coffee. I opened my e-mail to find that I had a new message from EHarmony with a new “match”. I skeptically opened the e-mail. After looking over her profile, and reading what she had written about herself and what she was looking for in life, and in a partner, I was immediately interested. I know it sounds a little clichéd, but I truly had a special feeling about her from the very start. I connected with what she had written, and liked everything about her, even her name, “Holly”. It didn’t take me long to muster up the courage to send her a note. I remember my heart beating fast as I sent the message and crossed my fingers that she would respond.
To my delight, she responded quickly, and after a few e-mails back and forth and a phone conversation or two, we agreed to meet in person. Our first date went well, and despite an awkward goodbye on my part, she luckily agreed to see me again. At the end of our second date, I kissed her for the first time, and we laughed together as she told me that I looked just like Andersen Copper and she’d never kissed someone famous before. After that, date number three lead into date number four, and I quickly began to fall in love with this beautiful Spanish Teacher from Spokane. I remember visiting my family shortly after we had started dating and describing Holly to them. They’ve told me since then that it was very evident just how special Holly was to me, even at that time.
At the 4-month mark we started planning a trip to Italy together, knowing full well that it would be the first big test of our relationship. As Holly always says, if you really want to see if you’re meant to be with someone, take an international trip with them. We ended up having a magical time together.
Our relationship only continued to blossom and grow stronger with each coming day, and on a warm sunlit day this past October, while on a walk through the Rose Garden in Manito Park, I asked Holly if she would do me the greatest honor of my life; would she to marry me?
Holly is my best friend, confidant, and sole-mate. She supports me and makes me a better man every day. I trust and respect her deeply. She is smart and engaging, caring, and strong. The size of her heart is only matched by her breathtakingly beauty. We share similar values and have similar life goals. And as basic as it sounds, we simply enjoy spending time with one another. She is the love of my life, and I pinch myself every day just to remind me of how lucky I am to have her in my life.
I was recently asked when was the exact moment that you knew Holly was the right woman for you. I struggled to answer the question because I don’t think there was an exact moment. I truly had a special feeling about her from the very beginning, and I approached our relationship with an open heart. I therefore don’t think it was a singular moment of realization that she was the one for me, but a gradual deepening on my feelings for her. I’ve known for a longtime, from early on, that I loved her, and that she was the woman I would gladly choose, amongst all others, to spend the rest of my life with.
Venue: Trezzi Farm
Ifong Chen Weddings 