After college, the girl (Anlee) began work full-time with the goal of eventually moving overseas. After a humbling experience brought on by the Lord, Anlee decided to move to Korea in need of radical change, rest and spiritual growth. After about 2 hours, Anlee decided to move to South Korea and two months later on August 22, 2009, Anlee moved to Sanbon, South Korea.
Derek invited Anlee and her roommate Amanda to a couple of dinners to meet other foreigners. Eventually, Derek and Anlee spent the day together buying Anlee a new guitar. This began our guitar lessons. Derek was the teacher and Anlee the student. Derek charged Anlee 10,000W (about 9$) and made her dinner with the profit. Every Thursday night, Anlee would travel to Derek's city by walking, train and bus to have guitar lessons. Derek, the gentleman would always meet her at the bus stop to make sure she was safe and always walked her back after the lesson. The lessons allowed us to get to know each other more intimately, to be brothers and sisters in Christ, to encourage one another and well, to flirt.
Because we both shared a love for fellowship with the body of Christ, we started a bible study group with a couple of other close friends. This became our support group for the next two years.
Next, we took a trip together with friends and really got to know each other. This was the turning point for Anlee who had already fought and lost her battle to not "crush" on Derek. (She had taken a 5 year break from dating...that lasted 2 years thanks to Derek.)
After an argument brought on by C.S. Lewis' The Four Loves, Derek looked at Anlee during "guitar lessons" and said "Do you think we can be just friends?" Anlee said "Yes" not quite believing herself and Derek responded, "I can't! I have feelings for you!"
We spent two weeks in prayer...then another conversation where we ended up being significant others.
Over the next six months, our friendship and relationship grew. We were fortunate enough to get to know each other away from distractions or expectations. We also had to be really creative in dating. Let's face it: no cars, freezing cold winters, little English and little Western food.
Derek told Anlee he loved her for the first time in Manila, Philippines on Valentines Day 2010.
Then, on May 26, 2010, after 4 hours of praying, Derek asked Anlee to be his wife. She said yes, of course. Wedding planning began immediately. After flying back to America and meeting each others families for the first time, we were wed on August 14, 2010.
