Ben & Kristi
I don’t remember the first meeting
either ... but I remember it was tough to see from inside that thing!
But I do remember the second meeting very well -- Kristi was the first director to arrive for the director’s breakfast meeting for Candlelight. She was glowing ... beautiful and charming, but she was way out of my league. Best
to be pleasant and chatty, and then move on. I just knew I had no chance.
Candlelight 2009 came and went, and a year later came the 2010 show. Kristi’s choir was to sing in the Sunday night concert, but it got rained out. I made the sad announcement to the choirs who were waiting in the holding area, and after a few minutes Kristi came forward with a question. But her heart was heavy because she felt so badly that her students were not going to be able to perform and ... we shared our first hug. That was when I started loving her heart. I was falling for her, and I barely knew her.
In May of 2011 Kristi invited me and other Candlelight staff members to see CCHS’s production of Titanic: the Musical. By this time I’d hoped against hope that this might lead to something. I’d RSVP’d late, but ... I was the only one going! (Score!) I clearly remember how beautiful she was standing in front of the choir, and how she signaled to me not to leave after the show! Soon after I saw the opportunity for a real date and invited her to see a show with me in Hollywood. I was falling in love. And after a short time the unbelievable happened ... she was falling in love with me! (I know, right?!)
This whole story proves that God has a plan, and we just need to wait on Him. We are both so different (she the beautiful princess, and me the court jester!), but I love how we complement each other. We have so much to learn and discover through each other. It’s going to be a wild adventure, and I can’t wait to see what God has in store!
“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” James 1:17
“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39
Ben currently works as the manager of Guest Talent Programs at Disneyland.
I don’t remember much when I first met Ben...probably because I was too short... but I do remember the second time I met him! :)
The second time I met Ben was at the director’s breakfast for the Candlelight Processional in October of 2009. Ben is in charge of organizing and coordinating Disney’s Candlelight Processional and he was one of the first faces that I met upon entering the Sleeping Beauty Pavilion for the director’s breakfast. I remembered that Ben was so very nice when he introduced himself to me and that we ended up sitting at the same table during the luncheon. I enjoyed talking with him and working together during the 2009 Candlelight Processional but had no idea he would ever be interested in me.
Two years passed and two Candlelight’s later, I invited Ben to come see my choir’s production of Titanic in May of 2011. I was shocked that he actually came to the show (he had RSVP’d on the day of the performance) and I was even more shocked when he said that he enjoyed our production!!! Ben was so kind and positive in his remarks to me afterwards that it sent me onto Cloud 9 for the rest of the night! :) He invited me to coffee but it wasn’t until July 30th when we finally connected and had our “first date”, which ended up being a business meeting for Ben! LOL :) I remember leaving Ben that evening thinking that I had a wonderful time and wondering if he would ask me out again!
After several dates, it finally became apparent to me that Ben was interested in me more than just a friend or a professional acquaintance. We started seeing each other more often and before I realized it, I was falling in love with Ben. His love for God, his humor, his kindness, his sense of fun and adventure all captivated me and I felt so comfortable being with him. This past year has been filled with many funny moments and beautiful memories. I am just so thankful that God saved Ben for me and was preparing me to meet Ben in His perfect timing! I am excited for the adventures that God has in store for us as we join together in serving Him!
“Being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you, will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” Philippians 1:6
Kristi currently works as the Vice-Principle and Director of Choral Activities at Calvary Chapel Christian School of Downey.
If you would like to check out Kristi’s website
Also, check out the family Non-Profit group "The Krewe of Good Gifts" website
Unbeknownst to us, this was our very first meeting!
Disneyland Candlelight Processional,
where it all started!
The Lord has done great things for us and we are glad! Palms. 126:3
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