Cheyne & Crystal recognize how blessed they are to have found each other in July of 2009. They met in Visalia at a Christian Singles’ Conference. Cheyne was helping out by playing drums in the worship band for the third time, & Crystal was shocked to find the opportunity to get away to refresh before starting a new school year of teaching. From the time they met on that first night, they felt drawn to each other & kept finding themselves in the same place at the same time throughout that weekend. Cheyne was busy directing karaoke & connecting with old friends, but managed to ask Crystal to sing “Love Shack” with him. Crystal took note that one of Cheyne’s friends at the Conference called him “the nicest guy on the face of the planet.”
By the end of the weekend, Cheyne asked for her phone number & said he had really enjoyed getting to know her. He was drawn to her genuineness, her loving interactions with other people & her close relationship with God. Crystal was attracted to his charismatic personality, musical talents, & mutual love of God. Happily, Crystal drove home to Turlock, unaware that he would call even before he arrived home to Sacramento….
Only two days later they began speaking with each other every day & have continued appreciated that time together every day since. These long conversations were a great time of discovery & surprise. They were thrilled that God loves them so much that he caused their paths to intersect.
Their first date was the following weekend, when Cheyne drove 100 miles to take Crystal out for an enjoyable dinner. They topped the evening off with the musical “Bye-Bye Birdie” in which Crystal’s friend was directing the orchestra. When Cheyne arrived home late that night, he sent her a text message thanking her for the wonderful date & cited the Bible verses Philippians 4:5-6. Crystal stared at the message in wonderment because that was the very verse she had read for reassurance before Cheyne arrived to pick her up that evening: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer & petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. & the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts & your minds in Christ Jesus.” Both knew that something very special was happening.
Just a short time later, Cheyne asked Crystal to be in an exclusive relationship so they could explore the very real possibility that God had extraordinary plans for them. It was merely the start of what has grown into true love & the merging of two very different worlds! Only our Heavenly Father could have set such magnificent plans into motion.
Dinner dates, Bible studies, concerts, kayaking, a snow trip, basketball games, & hiking evolved into increased time at Crystal’s with her children, Hope & Will. This has been precious time for the four of them to get to know each other & grow closer.
Crystal & Cheyne are excited about their upcoming wedding, honeymoon & new life together. They see each other as a gift from God & cling to the promise as stated in James 1:17, “Every good & perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights…”
