IK: Hey everyone. I'm IK
Chi: Hi, I'm Chinelo, and we'll be telling our story today.
IK: So, baby, how did we meet?
Chinelo:. No, you answer it. Wait, you go first.
IK: Okay. Umm… So we had two different classes in the same room, in the business building at the University of Houston.
Chinelo: Okay. I'll tell it.
IK:wait. But that's how it happened though.
Chinelo: You need to start from before that. So we went to the same university, which was the University of Houston.
IK: Okay. Yep.
Chinelo: We were both public health majors and we had public health classes in the business building. When his class would be ending, mine was starting and as he was leaving the class, I would be coming in for my class to begin.
IK: Right.
Chinelo: And that was the first time we ever met, a friend actually introduced us. Um, Dennis, his name is Dennis.
Chinelo: Dennis introduced me to him and just a short “hello, hi, bye,” scenario and yeah, that was, I guess the short version of how we met.
IK: Yes.
Chinelo: So, that's how we met.
IK: And how did we ‘meet’ again?
Chinelo: Okay.. Sometime that same week, my friend Halma invited me for a Bible study. Um, and when she mentioned the church I was hesitant. I was like, ah, I'm not going, no, please. It was just because of all the things I had heard so I just did not know much about the ministry and just took on thoughts and ideas people had just shared, you know?
IK: Right.
Chinelo: Yeah and so I was hesitant. I was like, oh no, I don’t think I'll go but she persisted, so I decided to go. After I met him for the first time, I kept seeing him almost everywhere I went (stalker much). I saw him at the student center, I saw him just when I was walking around on campus, you know, I literally was just seeing this guy, everywhere.
IK: Yeah.
Chinelo: Then it was time for the Bible study and I walked up the stairs to the student center to the room it was being held in. And lo and behold, I see him again sitting outside holding an iPad. It was so weird. “I keep seeing this guy everywhere today,” I said to myself. I didn't want to be rude, so I just said a quick hello. I walked briskly into the room and then the Bible study started, all of a sudden they introduced the coordinator of the fellowship and I seethis same guy walk into the room and he's the coordinator, I was like, “oh, wow”.
Chinelo: You know, who would have thought?! And I actually remember what you were wearing.
IK: Are you serious, babe?
Chinelo: Yeah. It was, your white and red sweater with your red pants and your red shoes?
IK: No, no.
Chinelo: Yes.
IK: I wouldn't wear white and red sweater with red pants and red shoes, baby.
Chinelo: There was just a combination of white and red.
IK: Okay. That makes sense. But I wouldn't wear red pants though. It was probably black pants or something.
Chinelo: Okay. But yeah, I remember white and red.
IK: Yeah. I do remember the white and red sweater though.
Chinelo: Okay. So it's a sweater. I remember. Yeah. And yeah, that's, I guess that's how we met.
IK: Right. That's how we met. Um, I think for me it was just kind of interesting how literally after the day that we met I started seeing you everywhere and I was targeting you for the gospel , but, I do recall watching you walking up those stairs at the student center and walking into the room and I was like, “oh my goodness, how did you know about the fellowship,” I was wondering if it was Dennis that invited you.
IK: I was wondering who invited you? Because even at that time, I hadn't even really met Halima herself, she was invited by Pastor Sharon because they lived in the same dorm on the same floor.
Chinelo: mm-hmm
IK: I remember sharing and you were very receptive. It was just amazing how we met and I guess the rest is history.
Chinelo: mm-hmm
IK: You know, and, the more we worked together, we were just loving the Lord together. Um, I guess along the way we started loving ourselves.
Chinelo: Fast forward 2 years later…..
IK: I remember the first time that we really started working together because, of course, we were just starting the fellowship at the University of Houston. I came to pick you up for ReachOut USA at your house and that was the first day that I met KK at the apartment that was on Westheimer. He was downstairs when I arrived to pick you up and we talked a little bit. We went to share Rhapsodies of Realities and from then on, you were very active in the fellowship.
We're doing God's work, changing lives and building people. We were just winning a lot of people in UH and your passion for people and your kind heart really was a beautiful thing to see and to witness. Your willingness to learn, your friendship and how you just cared naturally for people, it was really beautiful to see, I think that was when I kind of started, knowing that there could be a future here for me and of course it helped that you are gorgeous
Chinelo: Awww… thank you babe. So am I supposed to say my part now?
IK: Yeah you can say your side now
Chinelo: Okay, for me, it wasn't actually a “love at first sight” kinda story especially because I had a list of what I wanted in a man although it was more fleshly than spiritual.
IK:
Chinelo: Because upon just seeing him, I was like ‘nope!’
IK: I wasn't your spec. You thought I was too short. Jokes on you sis.
Chinelo: Whatever. Yeah you were not my spec to just summarize it.
Chinelo: But as we began to work together and I got to know you more, spending time with you just doing the work of the Master together. One thing that you showed me was that Christianity was not boring, and you could live your Christian life, especially as a young person full of joy. In fact, one thing I want to highlight is how you're kind of like an icon for Christians not to lose themselves when they choose Jesus as a young person. You always encouraged using the character, or the skills that the Lord has given us as individuals to bless and to make an impact in the world because God has made each and every one of us in a unique way. It was something that you embodied and showed me and other people, especially young people, because it might be the reason why they just see it as boring and or say, ‘I will just wait till i'm older to do this’ because they think that it means that they no longer have a life of their own.
IK: Right.
Chinelo: You kind of showed me that that was not the case, and as a matter of fact, God wants to use you exactly the way He created you. Whether you are quirky or lively, quiet or reserved or a joker, however you are, He wants to use you in that way and manner. Just getting to spend more time with you and having you as a leader and someone who played a very, very important pivotal role in my spiritual growth was a blessing and yeah as time went on, I was like “Okay” this might not be a bad idea and I would say that it was the best decision that I ever made after giving my life to Christ.
IK: Oh. yeah that's definitely the best. I am a happy second.
Chinelo: Yeah and I'm just excited to see what this journey has for us in marriage and what's in store and looking forward to growing together as one.
IK: Yeah we'll definitely make something beautiful of our marriage. Can’t wait to do life with you! You are about to #WokeUpNwokem
Chinelo: Amen. Can’t wait!