It was 2014, and the first week of college at Ferris State for both Chris and Alysha. At the invitation of a mutual friend, both of them ended up at the same social event where they made their first acquaintance. That one meeting was all the catalyst it took to make these two kindred strangers into best friends. With their faith at the center of their bond and the way they related to each other, Chris and Alysha found themselves growing together as they grew as individuals. They spent countless dinners together in the school cafeteria, and Chris would walk Alysha back to her dorm afterwards so she wouldn’t have to make the trip alone. Throughout that year, their feelings for each other had developed into more than just friendship. Although dating had been discussed, no steps had been taken. The following year, Alysha took time away from school while she waited to get into a program. The close friendship that she and Chris had grown over the last several months hit a bit of a standstill. For a while, Chris was convinced that a romance would never work out for he and Alysha. Alysha herself was trying to deal with the feelings she still had for Chris despite his hesitancy. On a mission trip to Cuba together, observing and admiring the work that God had done in Alysha during the time he had known her, Chris was struck with the fact that this woman was the one for him.
Over one year later, Chris arranged a surprise day for Alysha’s birthday, with a bigger purpose in mind. He brought her to the Detroit Masonic Temple for a tour and some photography. At the end of the tour, with the stunning Crystal Ballroom all to themselves, Chris asked Alysha to be his wife.
November 3, 2018: The day Chris and Alysha chose to begin their life together as husband and wife was a bright and vibrant autumn day in Southeast Michigan. The ceremony was a beautiful celebration of the work God has done in both of their lives to bring them together. What an honor to witness this beautiful beginning for two very special people!
