I knew of Chris from high school (Teenworks) and even
though we were in the same
graduating class (2005), we didn't hang out in the same friend group at the
time. Teenworks planned a senior trip to New York City and that's where I
met my best friend, Emily (Humphrey) McCarthy. She played a major role in our
relationship.
Emily knew Chris pretty well through her then boyfriend, Steven
McCarthy. Even though Chris and I both don't really remember getting these
photos taken, there are multiple pictures of Emily, Chris and I hanging out together in NYC on the
senior trip!
In 2008, Emily married Steven (yay!). Chris was a groomsman for
Steven and I was a bridesmaid for Emily. I'll never forget the moment right
before I was to walk down the aisle in front of Emily when Chris pointed at me
and said that he was for sure going to dance with me later at the reception.
That dance with Chris was very magical and I remember falling asleep that
night thinking of it. The next day the bridal party went and watched Emily
& Steven open presents and that's when Chris asked me for my phone number.
After the wedding we talked and hung out for about a month, then life led us
both in separate ways and we lost touch.
Fast forward to March 2014 and Emily and Steven are having their
first child! It was at that same time that Emily ran into Chris's mother,
Donna, after her baby shower and heard that Chris was doing very well for
himself. He was working at a new job in
Grand Rapids, was involved in a great church in Ionia...and that
he was single. This got Emily thinking...
Knowing our history and how much I liked Chris when we originally hung out six years ago, Emily decided to let me know how Chris was doing. I was very happy to hear that he was doing well, but when Emily suggested that I'd reach out to him, I said no because at the time even though I was single myself, I wasn't looking for a relationship. About six months later, Emily suggested again that I reconsider because she saw on Facebook that Chris had gone to one of my favorite coffee houses (The Lantern). I prayed and thought about it for five days then I took the leap and Facebook messaged him! After that I refused to look at my Facebook for at least three days after that because I was too nervous! Well it was worth the wait because on the third day when I checked my Facebook he had written back! He had waited three days so that he could pray and think over things as well. Two weeks later we went on our first date.
Knowing our history and how much I liked Chris when we originally hung out six years ago, Emily decided to let me know how Chris was doing. I was very happy to hear that he was doing well, but when Emily suggested that I'd reach out to him, I said no because at the time even though I was single myself, I wasn't looking for a relationship. About six months later, Emily suggested again that I reconsider because she saw on Facebook that Chris had gone to one of my favorite coffee houses (The Lantern). I prayed and thought about it for five days then I took the leap and Facebook messaged him! After that I refused to look at my Facebook for at least three days after that because I was too nervous! Well it was worth the wait because on the third day when I checked my Facebook he had written back! He had waited three days so that he could pray and think over things as well. Two weeks later we went on our first date.
From the moment Chris responded to my message early
November 2014, I don't think there's been a day that we haven't talked to each
other. He is my everything and I can't imagine life without him. God used that
six years of our lives when we were a part to shape and mold us. The night of
our first date in November when Chris was telling me of how God has been
working in his life, I was speechless and knew that I didn't want to let this
man go. Two days after our first date on November 24, 2014, Chris asked me
to be his girlfriend and I said yes. December 8, 2014 he told me he was in love
with me. Friday, July 3, 2015 he asked me to marry him…these will be dates that
I will always hold dear, but they will never amount to the magnitude of the day
that I marry Christopher Cunningham on December 5, 2015!!!
-The Future Mrs. Christopher Cunningham!
