Scott: I work for the University of Texas at El Paso as a distance testing coordinator. I also lead the God’s Rods Puppet Ministry at my church, Calvary Chapel Sun City. My hobbies include photography, filmmaking, and genealogy.

Renee: I’m a native of El Paso, and still reside in the Sun City. I’ve been a teacher at Silva Health Magnet High School for 17 years. I also serve as an usher/greeter at Calvary Chapel Sun City. In my spare time, I enjoy crafts, cats, and coffee.

November 20, 2022 Our matchmaker

Scott: Renee and I met through the match making efforts of Yvette, a mutual friend from church. Unbeknown to each other, we had confided separately with Yvette earlier in the year, the desire of our hearts to find someone with whom to spend the rest of our lives. Despite much effort and many years of searching we had not found the right person. We both shared with Yvette how we were discouraged to the point of resigning ourselves to being single for the remainder of our lives.

Renee: The Sunday before Thanksgiving when I arrived at church, Yvette met me in the foyer. She said she had been praying for me, and asked if she could share my phone number with her friend, Scott. She knew we were both single and thought we might be a good match, so I gave her the go-ahead. After a week of not hearing from Scott, I assumed that he wasn’t interested.

November 27, 2022 “Renee? Hi, I’m Scott”

Scott: I decided not to call during the Thanksgiving holiday, but to introduce myself to Renee in person the following Sunday. I stopped Renee on the way out of church service. Garnering the courage, I said, “Hi. Renee? I’m Scott.” After seeing her smile of recognition, I promptly followed up by asking if she would like to join me for lunch. Renee accepted the invitation and thus the adventure began.

Renee: That Sunday, I went to church at my usual time. When service ended, I absentmindedly gathered up my belongings and started walking out. Much to my surprise, Scott was waiting at the exit door. I recognized him from the photos Yvette had shown me. I accepted his invitation to lunch, and he drove to the restaurant ahead of me, as I still had some matters to attend to before leaving.

Before I left church, I pulled the assistant pastor aside and did some quick ”fact-checking” about Scott. He had only good things to say. I met Scott at La Riviera restaurant. Over Mexican food and coffee, we talked for 4 hours. That was our official first date.

Scott: We both talked and talked and talked and talked…

The Proposal Backstory…

Scott: Weeks prior to proposing, acting on impulse, I drove Renee up Scenic Drive to watch the sunset at Tom Lea Park. While watching the sunset from the overlook, Renee shared that this exact spot is her favorite place in all of El Paso. Over the years, in moments of doubt, frustration and discouragement, she would often come to this spot and spend time praying to God asking if He would bless her with a husband; someone who could love her and wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. After sharing this with me, I now knew the perfect spot to propose when the time came.

July 8, 2023 The proposal

Scott: I invited Renee’s Dad to breakfast with the intent of asking his blessing for us to be married. He told me he approved and that he thought I would be a good fit with his family. On the trip home, feeling relieved that the breakfast meeting went so well, I started thinking about when I would propose to Renee. I knew where, I just had not decided on a date. By the time I arrived home, a plan had been devised. I have the ring, my future father-in-law was pleased about the arrangement, so why wait. Today is the day.

Later that afternoon we were sitting in Renee’s living room, and I told her I was bored and asked if she felt like going for a drive. She said yes and then inquired about the destination. I asked her if she trusted me, she said yes and off we went. With the engagement ring stowed in my pocket, I started driving up Scenic Drive. We arrived at the park and walked to the edge of the overlook just as the sun was setting. While sitting on the rock wall I asked Renee to share again the story of how she used to come up here to pray about finding a husband. When she finished the story, I reached into my pocket for the ring, got down on one knee, presented the ring and told her I hoped I was the answer to her prayers, and asked her to marry me. Some strangers in the park enjoying the sunset realized what we were doing and began clapping for us after Renee said yes. There were many tears of joy.

Renee: Scott and I drove up to Scenic Drive that evening to watch the sunset. This has been a favorite place for each of us, even before we met, so this seemed normal. It is a sanctuary, a place to pray and worship God.

As we looked over the city, Scott asked me to remind him why I enjoyed this spot - “Tell me your story again.” When I turned back around, he was down on one knee! In true Scott fashion, he fumbled with the ring box as he took it out of his pocket. “I hope I’m the answer to your prayers. Will you marry me?” In true Renee fashion, I cried when I saw my ring. Apparently, I took longer to respond than Scott expected because he had a worried look on his face.

Of course, I said “Yes”. Scott is the answer to my prayers.

Scott: We enjoy doing so many things together. We love eating ice cream, traveling on day trips, watching a movie, praying together, and reading the Bible to each other, just being in the same room together working on our respective computers, watching sunsets, cooking together, and exploring new places or foods together.

Renee: Don’t forget about kitchen dancing, making up stories & silly songs, talking over a good cup of coffee, serving together in our church. Scott is one of the funniest people I’ve ever met, and he makes me laugh every day.

April 27, 2024 Our big day

Ya encontre mi media naranja. We can’t wait to celebrate with all of you in April!