Lacrisha, the love of my life 

Meeting and marrying Lacrisha
 

 Virginia Beach

I first met Lacrisha in Virginia Beach on a summer project with Campus Crusade for Christ. While I vehemently argued that I was a "Bachelor til the Rapture", God (and Crisha!) had different plans.

Ocean City

I had a very rough summer spiritually at Ocean City. I felt I was drowning under ice and couldn't break through. Fortunately Crisha stuck with me despite sound advice from others.

Proposal

On March 23, 1992, I took Crisha to my church camp in Butler, Ohio to make the second biggest commitment of my life on the same hill I made my first one to God. After a short Bible study on marriage, I handed her three roses, two red and one white. I explained that the two red roses represented the two of us in love while the white rose represented God in his holiness and purity. I asked her, "What one perfect circle of love can hold Michael, Lacrisha and God together?" After a short pause, I asked her, from my knee, if she would marry me. When she answered yes, I opened her hand and exposed the ring in her hand holding the three roses together.

Wedding

Surprisingly April 3, 1993 was a very cold day. A brisk winter wind cut through you as walked but nothing could weaken the warmth that Crisha and I encountered on our wedding day.

Our friends and family from all over the world (literally) came to Crisha's hometown of Montpelier for the big event.

Detailed planning had paid off and our wedding and reception had gone wonderfully. I'll admit the vows I had written were a bit lengthy, but I had a lot I wanted to commit to Crisha before God and everybody.

In memory of my grandmother, my mom and aunt presented a beautiful quilt that my grandmother had made to my new wife and me.

Our first dance was Gabriela by Whiteheart. The song speaks of heaven's angel coming as a God-given bride. It couldn't have been more true.

Unfortunately the time leaped forward that night so Crisha and I left for Cleveland Hopkins airport at 1 a.m. and flew out at 5 a.m. for a Cancun honeymoon.

We spent a week in Cancun enjoying the sunny temperature, the beach, and the Mayan ruins. We even went to a bullfight... not realizing they actually kill the bull!

Above: The view from our hotel room.

Left: Crisha standing in front of one of the Mayan ruins we visited while on our honeymoon.