AF: We first met on Thursday, November 15, 2018. Both of us were new to Dallas and attended a newcomers happy hour at Green Door Pub hosted by our church, All Saints Dallas. While in two different conversational circles, I overheard Kristyn speaking to someone else about a Fellows program in Maryland. My ears perked up, and as I now tell her, “you had me at ‘Fellows’”. I turned around and we started talking. Even though there were lots of people around us, she was the only person I could see. I was smitten. KM: Andrew was completely into me. I could tell it from the moment he said hello. Andrew later invited me to (what I thought was) a work session for a church volunteer opportunity. Andrew had a very different idea for our meeting and my laptop never even emerged from my bag. Instead, we talked for hours, getting to know each other. Andrew asked a series of intentional, “Fultz-style” questions: “What led you to Dallas? What do you love about your job? What was your hometown like? How many kids do you want?” You know… the usual. When we both joined Alpha, a conversational ministry about exploring faith, by the Lord’s provision we were placed in the same small group (#Table3). The chemistry continued to buzz as we sat next to each other every Tuesday for the next 12 weeks. KM: A couple weeks later, Andrew asked me on a date. I showed up nearly 30 minutes late (classic Kristyn). He was patient and understanding (classic Andrew). The date was amazing and lasted nearly 8 hours. However, as much as we really enjoyed one another, neither of us were ready to date. We both mutually understood now wasn’t a good time for either one, and it wasn’t personal. The seamless transition was nothing but from the Lord.

AF: We continued to be active at All Saints and we developed a strong community of friends. Over the next year and a half, we became very close friends. We looped each other in on almost every social plan we made. KM: All that time, Andrew and I were just friends, nothing more… Though I couldn’t help but wonder… is he still interested? AF: Let’s be real - I was still smitten. I chose not to pursue her because we had such a good thing with our friendship and our mutual community. In my mind, it wasn’t worth risking the relationship with one of my best friends. The friend-zone was broken with my freudian slip where I accidentally let her know I was still interested in front of all our friends. If you want the full story, just ask. I brushed it off as an awkward gaffe and forgot about it. KM: I, on the other hand, brooded over his accidental slip of the tongue for over a month. My best friends were beyond patient and kind with me as I painstakingly played out the potential of a relationship or, even more seriously, a future with Andrew. I thought and thought and talked and talked, and my girls were patient with me through it all. After a month, I brought it up to Andrew: if he saw a future with me and was open to dating me, I might be open to dating him, and it wouldn’t hurt to go on a date. And so we did. Our “second first” date was the best date of my life. Like the “first first” date, it went 8 hours - and again, I was left speechless over just how natural and fun the night was. It only took me a month later to fall in love.

AF: That was almost exactly one year ago, in the fading summer days of September of last year. After nine months, I proposed on July 5, 2021 on a quiet morning while we sat on rocking chairs on the porch dreaming about our lives together. Without the love, care, support, and wisdom of our family, friends, and church, we would probably still be “just friends”. We are so thankful for the Lord’s provision - and a global pandemic - that brought us together. We’re ready for December 4th, and we are so excited to celebrate with you all very soon.