The Story

On February 7th 2012, Chelsey and Chloe walked into Blackbird Ballard where Tyler worked. To Chelsey’s surprise, his demeanor and disarming grin contradicted what she had expected based on the modeling photos he’d posted online. (They were already friends on Facebook, but neither agrees on who sent the first friend request.) The only subject they recall discussing that night was the black toilet paper Tyler had picked up in Paris recently (ooh la la). When they parted ways, Chelsey glanced back and caught him smiling at her with a twinkle in his eye.

In the beginning, Chelsey couldn’t call it dating. Tyler didn’t share her faith and that was a deal-breaker for her. Nonetheless, they were unmistakably drawn to one another and grew closer and closer as friends. Around the time he met Chelsey, Tyler noticed the influence of God in the lives of several mutual friends and decided he must settle his spiritual questions, one way or another. After many conversations, much study, and growing conviction, he chose to follow Jesus. As his newfound faith grew, Tyler began to challenge Chelsey’s nominal faith, something she didn’t even know she needed. It was evident that their relationship was meant for more than romance. God had brought them together for His purposes.

Over the course of five years, they dated on and off. There were many sweet times when their attraction and friendship seemed easy and destined, and other times when their relationship seemed uncommonly difficult. Ultimately, Tyler and Chelsey came to see that their unsinkable friendship mattered more than their difficulties and that God’s grace would bind and sustain them. One random Thursday evening after fancy pizza and ridiculously good ice cream, they wandered into a favorite secret garden in Queen Anne. Sitting on a bench, after watching another guy practice karate on his girlfriend and then wander away, leaving them alone, Tyler proposed. Ecstatic, Chelsey reeled with joy, and disbelief. She said ‘Yes’ to Tyler, her best friend, the one that wouldn’t give up, the only one she wanted to walk through life with.

Journals & Letters Display
Some of Chelsey and Tyler’s journal entries and letters written to one another throughout their dating years will be on display. These entries are raw, honest, and sometimes not very pretty. They are passionate about sharing the imperfections of their story, and the greatness of God in their lives.

Please be sure to take a look!