This couple 'met' the way many couples are meeting recently. Both of them having very busy work lives (and having made the professional decision to not date anyone they work with) and children at home, each decided to try online dating.

 Then began a weeks long 'getting to know you' back and forth series of questions and emails. After a bit, Jason offered Christine his phone number to call or text, when she was comfortable. The call went well, so they agreed to meet the next weekend at The Woodland's Jaspers for dinner. Jason showed up with a dozen roses and his seemingly shy, quiet charm and Christine knew this could be a really good start.

 After that date they become inseparable; both immediately shutting down their online dating site and deciding to be exclusive. He tried teaching her to golf, and she shared her love of running. They met each other's children and family and took their first trip together to Arizona in April 2012 for Christine's 5th Marathon in Tucson. Jason made sure they both got home safely and they became very happy together.

Until the end of 2012, when they decided to part ways as a couple. Jason needed to have more time to get used to having someone become a big part of his children's lives and Christine was coming to a crossroads in her career and health. And so...that may have been the end of their story.

The end of 2012 was difficult for both Jason and Christine; Jason enjoyed the holiday with family but again missed the companionship of a partner, while Christine managed her health and career making sure all were again in line with her first priority which is being a Mom.

Both began to date others in the New Year, yet still remained in touch and kept mutual friends. After a few months, Jason began to date less and was seemingly ambivalent about Christine's new boyfriend but all seemed to be going well. They both went running together with their running friends and would make a point to stop and have lunch to catch up from time to time.

Then on July 4th, 2013; they took one of the kids to see fireworks and Jason let it be known that he was still in love with Christine and that he wanted her back. Christine was in shock, and still had a boyfriend, so distanced herself for a while to figure out what would be the right thing to do.

The next few months were very difficult for them both. Jason remained respectful of Christine's relationship; and Christine wanted to give her new relationship a fair chance. There were children in the mix and many doubts in her mind from the last break up. So many issues go into being a single, working parent; dating and love is not always just about two people. There were four children to consider as well.

After much soul searching, counseling sessions, hours of prayer and ultimately allowing her own heart to contribute to the equation, Christine realized she could no longer date the boyfriend she had been with since the summer before when she still knew she had always loved Jason. A very difficult conversation was had and she ended that relationship.

Christine broke the news to her own children who took the news surprisingly well, knowing they were fond of him, too. Christine did also let Jason know who was as comforting as a friend should be. He requested a special dinner out with Christine and the kids and although they had spent some casual time together in track for marathon training, they rarely sat down together much so as not to be disrespectful or confusing to both sets of children, but Jason knew the girls and Christine needed a pep talk, and he had a surprise in store.

They went to their favorite hometown restaurant, 'The Cozy Grape' and ordered their favorite foods while reminising about funny things they remembered and school activities going on during that semester. Jason cleared his throat, reached in his pocket and opened a small white box. Inside the box was a beautiful, tasteful diamond ring. Both girls gasped, Alexa began to tear up and Jason said,
"As you girls know I have loved your mother for a very long time. I want to know if you would be okay with her marrying me and all of you becoming my family."

Christine was shocked, and her heart may have stopped for a beat or two but seeing the happy look on her girl's faces eased all of her worries. 

Alexa was now streaming tears and saying, "Yes, Mommy...say Yes!!" and Tabi kind of smirked, rolled her eyes and said, "Would you just marry him already, geez..."

Jason later admitted he had bought the ring months ago and knew in his heart that the two would be together again; forever this time.

Of course...Christine said yes and again, they are inseparable. Forever this time.

Jason wanted his future family living together as soon as possible and this for Christine meant getting married sooner rather than later.

They discussed eloping and having a simple wedding/honeymoon just the two of them; but it wouldn't be 'real' to either of them without including their children. Jason's grandfather just happened to be coming into town during the kid's Spring break, on March 9th (the 9th was also the day of the month when Jason and Christine first met at Jaspers two years before) and so the decision was made to do a very small, intimate ceremony with Jason's father to officiate.

On Sunday, March 9th, 2014 at 5:00PM in the beautiful and majestic Chateau Cocomar in Houston, Texas; Jason, Christine, Tabitha, Zach, Alexa and Ashley became a family. Both sets of parents attended along with Christine's brother and sister, with her brother and sister in law as well as Christine's Grandmom Nikki Moore. On Jason's side along with his parents were his Grandparents from his Mother's side and the Grandfather from his Father's side who traveled all the way from Arizona (who had always been their biggest encourager, knowing from their first time meeting that they were to end up together).

***

From the Whites:

It was beautiful and all that we had dreamed of with the generous, combined creative genius of Christine's friends and favorite wedding industry professionals Anthony and Linda Dinh of Composure Studios, Linda Nguyen from Secret Floral Garden, and Karen Estrada Martin (and Wayne and Coco) owners of Chateau Cocomar and the lovely executive and friend of Chateau Cocomar, Mrs. Lorena Macias who was on hand to help make everything perfect and snap some Facebook photos for us (many pictured on this site) as we await the Composure Studio finished product and we couldn't have thought up anything better in our dreams. Jason's Dad, who is an ordained minister, gave the ceremony the perfect words to describe our love for each other, and thankful grace from God to have found each other again. We are forever grateful for all of their love, support, and encouragement both during our wedding and before when we were each working through our personal trials when we were apart.

We are eternally grateful and love you all!

Since the ceremony was planned with only a few weeks’ notice, and this is Christine's busy season at work (booking and managing weddings and social events) it has been decided that they will wait and take advantage of a planned trip to another friend's wedding to have that serve as the honeymoon in June!

Along with celebrating with their good friend, they will also take some extra time to enjoy being a married couple at the lovely Moon Palace Resort in Cancun, Mexico in late June. They will arrive on Wednesday, June 25th and enjoy the spa, golf course, excursions and many dining experiences of the island while preparing for their friend's wedding vows on Saturday evening.

On Sunday, they are going to take a few minutes and repeat their vows in a symbolic 'elopement' ceremony with just the two of them on the beach...another dream come true. Then awaken on Monday to a breakfast in bed and a later flight back home where they will finalize plans for the informal reception to take place at La Torretta Lake Resort in Montgomery Texas, on what other date than July 4th!

July 4th is the one year anniversary of Jason's re-proclaiming his love for Christine and the perfect day to celebrate with ALL of their friends and family. Informal invitations will go out (along with a Facebook event page, no doubt) for the evening celebration to include hors d'ouvres, an open bar and wedding cake immediately after the fireworks show!

*We cannot wait to celebrate with all that have put up with us over the last two and a half years! We are living proof that love really can conquer all!*