The Vine Church

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Our Wedding

Spring 2015. I'm (Mike) in a particularly difficult season going through trials, and I attend my church's sunday service. A kinda cute, young Asian American lady who is a greeter passes me a handout and we lock eyes. I don't feel like I'm in a place to talk and I walk past her to find a seat but for some reason, I feel compelled to come back and talk to her. Not wanting to give off mixed signals and flirt unintentionally, I decide not to and keep walking further to find a seat. I came to church that day for the Lord, desperately yearning for Jesus, not to entertain a thought for someone else.Fast forward to the fall of 2015. This young lady is now serving at the Connect Desk, helping direct newcomers to the church to one of the many communities of Jesus loving people in the city. Ironically, I had already been going to this church for three years, yet I find myself there at the "Connect Desk" nearly every Sunday... talking to this lady, who's name I find out is Rose Kim. She is quite the conversationalist. And she is wonderful. She is quality and I can tell she knows deeply how much she is loved by Jesus. One day after a Sunday service, just for small talk (not to ask her out on a date), I inquire of Rose, "So what have you got going on for the rest of the day? She gently, yet matter-factly replies, "Well...you know, just seeking the Lord..."I doubt she knew, and neither did I, that my heart and soul were won over in that moment.For the next couple months or so, I keep thinking of this beautiful woman's heart for the Lord and what she said about wanting to just seek the Lord. I'd repeatedly exclaim to Chaz, my best friend, how this comment is just so dang attractive to me!!! I imagine Chaz responding back after the 15th time, "BRUH, I got it already!" But just that simple, one line...(Mike drop)I am now praying much to the Lord about Rose and the idea of potentially pursuing her in a relationship. I don't want to rush anything- I take the prospect of pursuing a woman very seriously. Matter fact, I take so much time that Rose later testifies that she thought I was not interested in her because I would never ask her out on a date!But quite the opposite. The Lord was stirring a very delicious bowl of hot pot within me. Ever since her comment, I had an image of us both on our knees, side by side, worshiping the Lord together. I just wanted to be with her. Sure, she was very pretty physically, especially with that stunningly radiant, bright-like-the-sun smile of hers, yet I was honestly most captivated by her love for Jesus, which tuned up my heart strings to play through the potential harmony between her and me that I was coming to desire more and more...

The Genesis...

I spend time with Jesus one particular night in December 2015. I write on a series of index cards words to God and also....heh...what I don't necessarily expect comes out...I write a script of how I might ask Rose out, Lord willing, if the opportunity came.It came.But about a long month later, in January. All through December, after sunday service, I would look for Rose, but never find her. I would walk up and down the aisles of the pews looking for her. I even attend the same party she had RSVP'd to attend on Facebook. Not there. I actually find out from her (after we start dating) that by that time, she is already discouraged and had given up on any hope of an "us". She thought I wasn't interested in her because if I was, surely, I would have asked her out already! Man... I'm still in a difficult season, actually feeling disconnected from the culture and people at my church. I was even considering finding a church that fit more of my style culturally. Yet, a scripture, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, leads me to stay: "9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." The day after reading that verse, I come to church, having no intention of asking Rose out. I just know the Lord has a purpose for me at the church to experience His grace. I always deeply loved and cherished how our church always presented the beauty, truth, and goodness of Jesus. And what do you know, that Sunday...I see her!! I'm trying to keep my cool and just focus on the Lord. After service, however, I immediately ask her out on a date as if the words just flooded past the dam of my mouth. We talk for three hours. This woman is precious! The second date is a few days later and I ask her for permission to pursue her, which she accepts and we enter into a relationship. I was like a happy, little kid.

The relationship begins...

After the dynamic, exhausting, and altogether beautifully filled months of wading through some big steps of faith, enjoying some delicious little bites from Seattle's Pike Place Market, to doing ministry together serving other people and sharing the gospel, I am being further confirmed in my heart that I want to marry Rose.I do have my uncertainties and my questions though... How do I know for sure that I am making the right choice here? Do I want to commit to Rose for the rest of my life in marriage?Yet, time and time again, the Lord keeps showing me what a precious gift He's given to me in Rose. There were many difficult periods of our relationship this past year and a lot of brokenness we've uncovered in both our stories, yet I knew more and more I wanted to lay my life down for Rose. I wanted to be with her. I wanted to serve others together as a couple. I wanted to be an instrument of mercy and grace upon her life to see Christ continually make her lovely by His love and truth. I also knew in my heart that she was willing to follow my lead in life- this even reflected in the way she followed me when we danced together. I was growing as a leader myself and in my confidence in the Lord, trusting in Him as my Anchor and our Rock. I speak with my mentors, my closest friends, and those that knew Rose. With challenge, affirmation, and encouragement, I become further affirmed in my calling to Rose. Rose is also loved and well-thought of by my family. They want me to marry her too! =]After some time, I know in my heart...yes, I want to marry this girl!Rose and I go over to her parents' house in Los Angeles so that I could ask for her hand in marriage (side note: I had many brothers praying for this time). Rose's parents graciously receive me and give their blessing to marry their daughter! Whew... The rest of the day is spent letting our hair down, enjoying some home-cooked (authentic) Korean BBQ, and much wild, crazy laughter playing a Korean game called, "Yut Nori."

Before the Proposal

One night, about 9 months into our relationship, Rose and I are over at Chaz's house watching "Princess Mononoke", an incredible Japanese anime film. One scene struck me. The boy told the wolf-girl, "Anata wa utsukushii", meaning "you're beautiful." That causes this wolf-girl to blush, perhaps not knowing what to make of that comment since her identity was found solely to be in the wild and among wolves.That spoke to my heart about Rose. I wanted to propose to her in a way that let her know she is just beautiful to me.Inspired by an online missions class, I got the idea to propose using Korean to speak to her heart. She also loves words of affirmation. I head to "Citra Cafe," one of my favorite bubble tea cafe's near the University of Washington, and ask the Korean owner to teach me how to propose in Korean.One evening, I suggest to Rose we spend the night writing poetry. I tell her we should write about our individual stories. Yet while she is writing her story, I start writing about Rose and our story together. Later, with a few close friends in Chaz' living room, Rose, somewhat unwillingly, yet bravely, shares her piece. I then share mine. Through Korean and spoken word, I tell her how beautiful she is, utilizing my newly learned Korean (albeit imperfect accent) and I get down on one knee...Gyeol-hon hae-jul-lae? (Will you marry me)?She says... "yes"!

Reciting the big question...through a poem

We are filled with joy on the road to becoming one! We are learning what marriage means, and appreciate the truth of what Pastor John Piper expounds upon in "Desiring God", reflecting upon <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+5%3A25-30&amp;version=ESV" target="_blank">Ephesians 5:25-30</a>, "So Christ sought His own joy, yes- but He sought it in the joy of the church! That is what love is: the pursuit of our own joy in the joy of the beloved." We believe that marriage points to Jesus Christ and His love for His bride, His body, His church. This wedding day, this marriage is not about us, but about Christ's sacrificial, redemptive, and gracious love towards His people! We have both found in each other, our beloved, and our joy is to see one another grow in and savor the joy found in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, together. We are extremely grateful and honored to celebrate the Lord's work with you in bringing two imperfect people together to flourish as one by His grace! We hope to see you there!-Mike &amp; Rose

To Our Friends and Family

Our Story

Travel

Fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. From the airport, we recommend renting a car, taking a taxi, or riding the light rail into downtown Seattle. The wedding location is 20 minutes northeast (without traffic) driving distance from downtown Seattle. We recommend staying in a hotel in the city and taking either an Uber or driving a rental car to the venue.

Things to Do

Guidance for Families

Children are welcomed to attend the wedding, however a babysitter is preferred for those who are willing and able. We realize many of you are traveling from out-of-state. Thank you for coming such a long way to celebrate with us. It would be an honor to celebrate this day with your whole family.

Details

Photos

Chaz

Jeff

Darrin

Wedding Party

Q + A

Registry

Best overall value. This newly remodeled hotel boasts a downtown location, clean rooms and is four blocks from Seattle's main shopping district. Click the "Visit Website" button to reserve your room for a special rate of $109/night (offer expires 2/17/17). Hotel parking is $43/night. While not easy, some street parking may be available.

Hilton Garden Inn Seattle Downtown

4-Star Hotel. Prices are $179/night for room with standard king and $194/night for a room with two queen beds.

Hyatt at Olive 8

Most Charming. Nestled in the iconic Pike Place Market. Rooms start at $265/night and parking is $48/night.

Rosellen & Michael

Rosellen & Michael

Photos