It was late September, 2002, and I was enjoying a nice breakfast with my mom, my two sisters, and my brother when the conversation turned to my singleness.
I reacted to my brother's comment poorly, "Can we please have one meal where the topic doesn't involve my love life?"
It had been a difficult year emotionally for me. I eventually ended the courtship I began the previous year, and though I felt it was God's leading, my heart took some time to recover. Sitting there with my family at breakfast, I realized I wasn't interested in meeting anyone new, as my heart still needed some healing.
My brother didn't have a problem, however, continuing about this "amazing woman" Keila. He began to explain how he had gone to Guatemala earlier in the year. Keila traveled with his team as their translator. He then traveled again to Guatemala a month later, where again Keila served as the team translator. Around this time Keila was praying about taking a sabbatical from her work. Through God's miraculous leading, Keila decided to volunteer with an internship program that was run out of my brother's church in upstate NY. Around August of 2002 Keila landed in upstate NY, and a little over a month later I sat at breakfast with my family.
"You really need to meet her, she is awesome." My sister Andrea chimed in.
"Alright, I'll meet her sometime if I get a chance..." I said this knowing she was staying over 4 hours away from me, and her stay was temporary.
A couple weeks later I traveled to Syracuse to pick up a young man who had traveled to Ohio with my brother. I also knew that Keila had traveled with this same team. I thought, okay, I'll pick this guy up, and if I get a chance, I'll meet this "Keila" person. Upon arriving at the restaurant, I noticed my brother was only with a few people, and no Keila. I was actually disappointed, and knew at that moment I had to at least find a way to meet her.
It wouldn't be that much later. The date was November 2, 2002. My brother was having a concert in a church in Troy, NY. I was debating going over to the concert. My sister left a message on my cell, "Hey Ben, I don't know if you are interested or not, but Keila is coming with us to the concert tonight. You should come meet her!"
My internal debate lasted all afternoon, and the "it's time to meet your destiny" portion finally won the fight. I drove over to Troy, and realized I got there pretty early, and boy, was I nervous! I sat in the back of the church and began to search the almost empty room for anyone who might be Keila, not knowing what she looked like. Then she walked in and my life changed. I was blown away at how she carried herself across the room. Two thoughts crossed my mind. Number one, she's a princess. Number two, I have absolutely no chance,
A few minutes later I found myself sitting in the front of the room next to my sister and mom. I had yet to meet Keila, and I was preparing for the big moment. I saw her walking toward us, and I tried my best to shelter all my nervous energy. I stood as she got close and I could tell my sister was about to introduce us. I sucked in my gut and stood as tall as possible. My sister quickly introduced us, "Ben, this is Keila, Keila, this is my brother Ben."
I extended my hand and tried to act as cool as possible, "Hey, what's up?"
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