Christine's Story of Us
I first saw Liquori on ChristianMingle in March 2016.
His picture was quite striking as he was in his
running gear with the signature pose of Usain Bolt.
My first thought was that he’s short but cute and fit.
His profile stated that he lives in Silver Spring, MD
which was the same city in which I was residing in
while working at a hospital in Washington, DC.
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I was the first person to initiate an email conversation
with Liquori and I was pleasantly thrilled that he
showed genuine interest in getting to know me by
asking important questions. Interestingly, I had just
come out of a short-term relationship and didn’t
realize that I wasn’t showing an equal amount of
interest. I only answered his questions and was determined that I’d allow any future man in my life to lead.
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During our first phone conversation, I was shocked that he was teaching at a marriage retreat for couples in Colorado as he was being transferred from Colorado Springs, CO to Bethesda, MD. I then began to wonder if he’s teaching others how to have a healthy marriage, is he a “doer” of what he teaches or does he just conceptually have a good understanding of marital principles.
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We talked daily from March 2016 to June 2016. Our conversations were extensive and intriguing. He had the ability to make me laugh, look introspectively, and think critically. I was innately drawn to assist him in any way that I could. Often with words of wisdom and encouragement. I was excited to finally meet him in person in June 2016 when he was on leave and preparing to transfer to Maryland.
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Our first date started off rocky as he failed to answer his phone after multiple calls while I was waiting for him to meet me in the lobby of the building. I had already dismissed him mentally as a viable possibility due to him not answering my calls. As I was preparing to leave the lobby, he appeared with an excuse that he was meticulously grooming and didn’t hear the phone. He did look and smell good☺
Afterwards, our date went smoothly and we made plans to meet again when he returned back to Maryland after visiting his family in Virginia Beach, Va. We had several dates and even though things were going good, I was hesitant to start a relationship without first building friendship. Cori and I attended the same church during the week. We both dated other people for a short while but I realized that on my last date with another man, Cori had somehow invaded my heart. I called Cori before the date, thought about him during the entire date, and called him soon afterwards.
I soon realized that that our friendship had grown into something more than friends. I wanted to give him my full attention. I was starting to fall in love with my “buddy.” It was then time for both of us to meet one another’s family and friends. I thoroughly enjoyed his close-knit family. Cori meet both of my brothers and other family members and friends. After close scrutiny by my loved ones, Cori received their support.
Our relationship has blossomed into something that is beautiful, healthy, and Christ-centered. We both come from pentecostal backgrounds so our faith is a staple within our relationship. We have both committed to remaining sexually pure before marriage. I’m looking forward to a marriage that has a foundation of Christ, unity, service, authenticity, and respect. As both Liquori and I understand that we have been chosen to be a reflection of Christ in the earth, we will strive to live privately what is presented publicly. I absolutely love Mr. Liquori Lemont Etheridge and will strive to be a wife in which he can safely trust.
Liquori's Story of Us
If you’ve just finished reading Christine’s sensationalized
and subjective version of how we met and progressed to
where we are now, I will give you what God loves, the
truth. In March 2016, I was stationed at Fort Carson,
CO pending transfer to Walter Reed Medical Center in
Bethesda MD. Looking to find a potential partner in the
DC/MD area, I signed up on ChristianMingle. While
logged on, I received a message from Christine. She
told me how good I looked. She told me that despite
my short stature, I was extremely attractive.
Christine said I looked like a cross between Denzel
Washington, Boris Kodjoe and Tyson Beckford.☺
I thought she was very attractive. From her picture I thought
she was an aboriginal woman from Ghana, but later
found she was from the country hills of Mount Olive, NC.
I was also drawn to her comments related to the
importance of spirituality and her relationship with God.
I also remember her statement that made me really think about the type of woman she was. The last sentence in her introduction profile read, “If you’re going to love me, love all of me.” It didn’t mean that there was no expectation of change, growth and development, but having the capacity to love her at her worst. Over the next two weeks I tried to reach out to Christine several times in an effort to learn more about her. She responded with 1 and 2 word answers, which made me wonder if she was really interested. If you know me, then you know at this time she was on the chopping block and didn’t know it LOL. Christine eventually responded showing more and more interest.
We talked everyday and saw each other by Tango until we finally met face to face in June 2016. We went on our first date to Carolina Kitchen. Christine was not ashamed to eat in front of me. I couldn’t believe that a woman that small could eat so much.☺ We had a great time sharing each other’s company conversing about past relationships and what we were looking for from a partner and life in general. She made it clear that she wanted to focus on establishing a friendship. We continued to see each other while she was working in D.C. 4 days a week. Christine continued to waste her time seeing other losers, but we continued to progress within our friendship. There were a few times throughout this journey that I wasn’t sure if things would workout. Christine allowed God to use her to bring change to my life. She recognized the changes I made and told me how she felt. I was really caught by surprise when she told me she wanted to move beyond the stage of friendship. I had to make it seem as if I was giving my response serious thought, but I already knew she was the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.
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I never thought that I would find someone that gave so much of themselves and also expected so much of me. I’ve always said that she has definitely made me a better man in all aspects of my life. I’m truly appreciative and grateful to God for bringing her in my life. Even when I didn’t believe I had the capacity to truly love again, God sent me someone that had the capacity to love me and show me how to love, not just parts of her, but the essence of who she is. Our past experiences and relationships have shaped and made certain aspects of who we are. What I’ve learned throughout this journey with Chrissy is our past can make parts of who we are in certain moments, but love in it’s purest form has the power to make us over again. I’m looking to forward to loving and serving this amazing woman of God.
