How the Couple Met

Stacy’s Perspective:

Hey There, My name is Stacy Cahalan. For the last three years, I have worked with Geoffrey at Bishop Ward. And for many more years, I have known Kayla. I met her at Little Sisters of the Lamb when she and I were both discerning big life changes and commitments.

Fast forward to October 9, 2023, I had a Holy Spirit moment. I came home from work and I told my husband that I wanted to set Geoffrey and Kayla up. While he didn’t know either of them, he told me that he didn’t think it was a good idea mostly because all of my prior set-ups had been unsuccessful. I remember him telling me, “Stacy, your record for successful set-ups is zero”.

But I let the Holy Spirit prevail.

On October 10, I sent this email to Geoffrey and Kayla:

Geoffrey & Kayla,

It is very odd to me that I didn't think about connecting the two of you last year or even earlier this year, but perhaps it is because it wasn't the right time. Alas, I trust the holy spirit.

You have so much in common -- you are both Catholic educators, you have both spent time discerning religious life but feel called to a life with a beautiful family, and you are both from Kansas.

I trust you all will enthusiastically take it from here.

I pray for holy fireworks.

Come Holy Spirit.

Kayla’s Perspective:

So I see Stacy at PD at the beginning of October and she asks me the normal things, one of them being if I’m dating anyone. I respond no, so please keep praying for that! I wanted to date so bad.

Then she starts sharing about this guy at work. “You know, there’s this guy at work that goes on one date, two dates, and nothing has really been working out for him either.” I give Stacy the natural response, “Well give him my phone number! As long as he’s not 24 or something 😂” She said, “I’ll do some investigating”.

That day she texted and said she thought he was in his early 30’s, “Kayla, this could be perfect”. My heart leaped, but I was used to that, I didn’t want to get too excited too soon.

Geoffrey ended up calling me a few days after the email was sent asking me on a date. From the beginning, I was encouraged by his boldness and clarity. We didn’t talk or text until we met on October 21st, a few weeks later. After the first date, I wasn’t sure, but knew I wanted to go on another. The second date I was really woo’d by him and our relationship continued to unfold bit by bit.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow and who blesses those who wait! ♥️

Geoffrey's Perspective:

I get to school on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, the same time as Stacy. As we're getting out of our cars, she asks if I'd be interested in being set up with someone, and I said yes. A few minutes later, she sends an email to Kayla and I that has our phone numbers.

I help coach Ward's soccer teams, and we had games that evening, so I didn't have a chance to call Kayla. I was planning to call her Wednesday after practice. After Wednesday's practice, I go to pull up Stacy's email to get Kayla's number to call her. I see that Kayla has emailed me, letting me know she encouraged Stacy to connect us and that I wouldn't be catching Kayla off guard by calling her. So I'm thinking, "Shoot, I better call this girl ASAP so she knows I really am interested in going on a date, and I'm not just ignoring her, or not man enough to call her."

I call Kayla but get her voicemail, so I leave a voicemail. The most nervous, choppy, painful-to-listen-to voicemail that anyone has ever recorded. Oh well. Didn't matter. Kayla called me back a few minutes later and we were able to set up our first date, which was fantastic and left me with no doubt I wanted another date.

Travel

Hyatt Place Kansas City/Overland Park/Convention Center