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Massachusetts
California
Utah

Charlie

an analyst for Charles River Associates in the Competition division, a gardener, uncle to 35, and family history expert

Mariah

a choral conductor and performing musician, traveler, and teacher, favorite aunt to 3 (or 5 by the end of the year)

~ Our Story ~

Set Up

 

 

 

Despite being together in the same choir room and concert halls on numerous occasions during college at BYU, Charlie and Mariah didn’t manage to meet officially until years later. In 2017, Mariah gutsily reached out to some close friends, asking them to think of the one most important trait she’d need in a partner, and if such a single person existed, to please set her up!

Many friends responded, but only one set up was successful. Lacey Lee Tervort, a missionary she trained in Paris, set Mariah up with her close friends’ little brother, Charlie. Mariah said, “He has a great smile! Why not?” And when Charlie heard she was a conductor, he said “Absolutely!”

Long Distance

 

Unfortunately, both Lacey, Charlie, and his brother’s family lived in Orlando, FL, while Mariah lived in Boston, MA. With enough mutual friends including Mariah’s brother Peter, they began to correspond. Upon their first FaceTime date, it was immediate interest the at first sight. They could hardly wait one day in between hours of FaceTime-ing.  Connections included a mutual strong commitment to Jesus Christ, similar experiences with severe physical pain, a love of family, kindness, open minded thinking, and an adventurous spirit. But it seemed too good to be true! While Charlie was telling his family he was in love, Mariah’s history kept her from admitting too much interest.

 

 

 

In Person

 

After months of talking every day, sometimes patiently waiting through hours of spotty reception overseas, their schedules finally allowed them to meet for a few days in Boston. Every expectation was surpassed. Charlie first took Mariah’s hand along the Freedom Trail in the 17th Century cemetery.  And then there was one of those famous nor’eastern blizzards that kept Charlie stranded in Boston for a few more days. This was a very special time for both of them– practically every prayer together brought tears.

Pie Day

 

One evening after Opera Rehearsal in Boston, Mariah and Charlie sipped LA Burdick’s hot chocolate and wandered through feet of snow in Boston’s Public Garden. They talked about their visions for the future and their commitment to each other. It was such a special night that they couldn’t bear to leave the park, despite frost-bite seeping in through they boots and gloves. After some encouragement on either side, and some special prayers, Charlie promised to move up to Boston, and they fantasized about a Labor Day wedding.

 

Graduation & Engagement

 

 

A couple of months later, despite hilariously frustrating impatience from both families, they were finally ready to get engaged. The night of Mariah’s graduation from Boston University, they flew to southeastern England for a few day engagement trip. Although they planned the trip together, Charlie sneakily shipped the ring to their Airbnb host, who slipped the box into his pocket before Mariah could notice. On top of the white cliffs of Dover, by a remote stronghold in the Dover Castle wall, Charlie knelt down and told Mariah of his love and vision of their future together, and asked Mariah to marry him. Though sobbing with emotion, she answered, “Yes, Of Course.”

 

Post Engagement

 

Since their engagement, they have chosen and accepted new jobs, road tripped for 5 days moving Charlie to Boston, combined bank accounts, attended extended family reunions, bought a house, planned a wedding, and been apart for many weeks at a time. The good news is that they still want to marry each other, have lots of support from family and friends, and have never doubted that, though at times it is hard, this relationship is very right.

 

Registry