Jade and I met for the first time in 1996 through a mutual friend and a love for country swing dancing.  We had more of a casual acquaintance than friendship, and certainly no romantic interest in each other at the time.  Years passed and - though we traveled in the same social circles - we lost touch of each other.

In July of 2005 I decided to start dating again after an 18 month hiatus.  I talked with my best friend Don Keck about the decision and asked if he knew of any attractive, single Christian women that might be a good match.  Don asked if I knew Jade; I definitely remembered the name and vaguely remembered the girl.  Don said that she went to his church and that as far as he knew she was single, so he agreed to play matchmaker.

The two of us then put our heads together and decided the best premise for having Jade and I get reacquainted was through country swing dancing.  Since that was how we first met and because Don figured he needed an excuse to hook us up, he decided to work that angle instead of suggesting a blind date.  The next Sunday he approached Jade at church and mentioned that he "had this friend who needed a partner to go country swing dancing with."  He asked if she would be interested, and she said she was.  Over the next few days Don got her phone number and gave it to me.  I called the same day I received it, only to get her voicemail.

I left a confident, friendly message that made an impression on Jade and she called me back later that night.  Our first phone call lasted five hours and there wasn't a single awkward silence in the entire conversation.  We found we had many common interests and friends, and had great chemistry on the phone.  She invited me to join her for lunch and a play at the Shakespeare Festival after church with her friends the next day and I accepted.  After hanging out that first day, Jade was a little hesitant about me, but her friends encouraged her that they thought we were a great fit. 

Our first "real" date consisted of Red Robin and swing dancing.  Jade had a great time and began to like me in spite of herself.  We continuted dating and in short order I knew she was "the one." With a little persistence I convinced Jade of this too.  A few months later I proposed, she said yes, and the rest is history.