Team Philip

I first met Noel met in September 2007 about 5 months after I had become a Christian! He came to church through his coworker, who just happened to be a friend of mine. We met right away – Noel says that I was the VERY FIRST person that he met at Jesus Lifehouse. Noel quickly joined the welcome team at church, which was a team that I was a part of. After church we would usually go to dinner with different team members.

We were at Level 1 – Just Friends. We were getting to know each other in a group setting. It was at this level that we learned about each others dreams, goals, passions and some of our hopes for the future. I thought he was a pretty interesting guy and I wanted to get to know him more, I was noticing him more than any other guys at church.

I decided we needed to go to Level 2 – Special Friends. I asked Noel to get MSN messenger (these were the days before Facebook chat) so that we could chat and use video chat during the week. We spent quite a bit of time each week chatting. I remember going home for the winter holidays and thinking to myself that I was going to miss out on time in the group and getting to know Noel. I was secretly hoping that no other girl would get extra time with him.  My first day back from my holiday in Canada I joined our regular group for  a day at the zoo. He caught my attention all day long.  I knew that my feelings were growing and there was something more to Noel than anyone I had met before.
Finally we got to Level 3 – Coffee Time. Noel asked me to go out … not in a group! We had SO much fun on our first coffee date! Noel totally went over the top, it was fun and exciting. We went for Thai food for lunch, a beautiful walk in Shinjuku-gyoen-park, and then for coffee & cheese cake (I love cheese cake). It was like three mini dates all in one date. It was fantastic. We went on a few coffee dates and then we knew that it would soon be official. We liked each other and wanted to give a serious relationship a real chance.

Level 4 – Official Couple! Noel took me out for a wonderful date lunch and asked me officially if I would be his girlfriend. We had so much fun dating. We always tried to do something new and exciting. We spent a lot of time laughing with each other, growing as individuals and as a couple and of course we dreamed a lot together about our future. We both wanted to help people live amazing lives – we both wanted to be Pastors of an amazing young church!

After dating for over a year Noel planned a very VERY romantic day and he asked me the BIG QUESTION! — “Will you Marry Me?” — Officially Level 5 – Engaged!! Of course I said YES!!! We had a romantic day on the beach where he proposed and then a candle lit dinner of pizza and wine (more of my favorites).

We were engaged for just under 6 months which gave us enough time to plan our wedding and new life as a married couple. We had our wedding in Japan with our closest friends and family. It was a day filled with excitement and blessings. Noel looked so handsome in his traditional Indian attire!
Married – Level 6!! We got married January 28, 2010 and we really enjoy being married.

Our marriage is HOT, exciting and full of dreams for the future. We are continually learning about how to be a better team. We love and enjoy working together! Marriage with God in the middle is the best type of relationship anyone can have. I am always focusing on God and growing and so is Noel. Because we both have the same ultimate focus and goal we are always growing closer to each other … just like a triangle with God at the top and Noel and I on the side corners as we walk toward God, we get closer as a couple!! 6 levels have lead us to the ultimate marriage!!!

We tried Bollywood at our wedding! Our friends LOVED it!