Our story is much better when told in person with dramatic pauses and Chris' added dialogue. But I will do my best to add the comedic commentary that it deserves.

Some of you may know that Chris works for the Oakland County Sheriff's Office. If you don't, you do now. He has served the county and his community for almost 30 years, 22 of which have been in the K9 unit.

A little more than 5 years ago, I took a contract position as a social media coordinator for Oakland County. Just 2 weeks into my role, we hosted "Take your child to work day" in our building. The last session of the day was the Sheriff K9 presentation. I had heard about it all day. It was the highlight of the day for the kids.

If you know me, you know that I love dogs...well cats too...and racoons, and goats...ok, I love all animals. I would have a farm if it didn't mean that I would have to do farm things.

My manager insisted that I attend so that I could get photos for our social channels. So, I made my way to the auditorium.

It was a full house! Parents and kids, it looked like everyone who worked for the county was in attendance. I helped gather a few additional chairs for those standing in the back and waited at the door with my fellow co-workers for the officer's arrival.

It wasn't long when a handful of them turned the corner. The first few gentlemen were captains and lieutenants.

Now if I were telling this in person, you would get the additional benefit of my reactions in real time, but as you can probably guess the K9 officer followed the command officers in. With his wide walk, broad shoulders, and furrowed brow - he was serious. One of the fathers in the room whispered to another father, "I wouldn't want to meet him in a dark alley".

I of course had not taken my eyes off him. I told my co-workers, "thanks for forcing me to come to this." They laughed.

It was my "job" that day to get photos and video of the presentation, of which I still have. I also took a photo, at the very end of the event, with a group of the kids in attendance alongside Chris and Mordus - for social media purposes of course. Chris and I then exchanged pleasantries and we went our separate ways.

Now, when I tell you I looked for him for 2 months...I mean it. I had the one photo of him with his name on his uniform. I had no other info. I'm a former journalist and a digital marketer, there is no reason why I wouldn't be able to find him online. Right? Wrong!

I Googled and searched for him. I thought, what person doesn't have a digital footprint of some kind? Well apparently, Chris. I even recruited my co-workers to help in the search to no avail. I hinted to my boss that a story at the Oakland County Sheriff's building would make a great blog...she was not in agreement.

Plot twist! At the time I was a member of our friendly neighborhood gym - Powerhouse, located about 5 minutes from my house. One day I was in the middle of a set, when I looked up and saw this guy working out across the room. He looked familiar, but I could not place him. I thought to ask him if I knew him from somewhere. So, over I went.

I said, "Excuse me, but you look very familiar. Do I know you from somewhere?" To which, Chris said "No, I just have a very familiar face," and walked away! With that reaction, some would have been discouraged - not me.

First of all, he does NOT have a familiar face. He has a very distinct face, and anyone who knows him, knows that. I was a bit shocked at how brief he was, but I stood there and thought, NO WAY...I know him from somewhere!

So, a couple weeks went by. I was training with one of the trainers at the gym and she happened to mention that one of the Oakland County Sheriff K9 officers worked out at the gym.

*Que - loud gasp and jaw drop*

The light bulb went off - I said, "Holy crap...that's him!" She had no idea what I was talking about. But I went to work the next day and told my co-workers, "Stop the search ladies, I've found him!" I briefed them on what happened, and they all shared my disbelief.

It wasn't long before I saw him again at the gym. When I saw him, I dropped my dumb bells and bee-lined right for him. He saw me, and I couldn't tell if he wanted to run or pretend he didn't see me.

I said, "I figured it out. I know where I know you from." He looked perplexed, and said, with hesitation, "Are you one of my sister's friends?" I scoffed, "No!" I met you at the Oakland County 'Take your child to work day' event. I was the one taking photos for social media." He made the connection.

I suppose the rest is history. He wrote me an email after that, and we set up a date. Boy did I work hard for this one. If I had only known that he was right under my nose all this time. God truly works in mysterious ways!

If you made it all the way to the end, we appreciate you! Thank you for reading our story (at least from my POV)!

Wedding Day