Our Story
A joke, a rematch, and a reason to stay in Atlanta
We did not fall in love all at once. It happened through a joke Philips never forgot, a checkers game he would probably like to forget, and a weekend in Atlanta neither of us wanted to end.
Chapter One
The Joke That Stayed
We first met at a church leadership training camp (Cấp 3!). Mary stopped by Philips’ team and asked, “Y’all think you’re cute?”
Then she paused.
“...Because you are.”
Everyone laughed. Philips remembered.
Philips thought Mary was cute immediately. He also confidently—and incorrectly—thought she was mixed Latina. His instincts were only half right.
Chapter Two
The Checkers Rematch That Never Happened
We reconnected four years later at a regional church leadership meeting. Somewhere between the agenda and the prayer time, a checkers board appeared between the two of them when Philips asked Mary to catch up.
Mary destroyed Philips.
When he asked if she remembered him, she hesitated. He did, however, leave with her number. So he still considers the day a win.
The rematch, reenacted
Tap play to watch history repeat itself.
Chapter Three
Three Restaurants, One First Date
When a Magic The Gathering tournament brought Philips to Atlanta (Dreamhack 2023), he stayed a few extra days to spend time with Mary.
Their first date turned into three different food stops—including Korean gopchang. It was ambitious, a little ridiculous, and completely them.
Somewhere between the next bite and the next place, Atlanta started to feel like more than a city on the map. It started to feel like the beginning of home.
A legendary evening — tap the card
Atlanta became the place where friendship became intention, quick visits became longer stays, and “one more food stop” became a life we wanted to build together.
Now we get to welcome you here for our favorite chapter yet.
P·M