To be completely honest, they don't remember precisely when or how we met. They do know where though! Azusa Pacific University (APU), sometime in the fall semester of 2012 (when this photo was taken). This was the semester that Eric transferred over to APU from Citrus College and just before she ran off to India for a study abroad term. Two of Alyssa's best friends; Rachel (Boddenberg) and Rebekah McAuley were transfer leaders who Eric befriended at the beginning of the semester. Ironically, he had no idea that she was so close to these ladies until years after they began dating.
They were not very close in school and only have a few memories of hanging out with. To sum it up, their relationship then was very "surface level." After returning to home from South East Asia on a two-year missions' commitment, Alyssa decided to move back to LA, and posted on Instagram and Facebook asking friends if they knew anyone looking for a roommate in the San Gabriel Valley. When Eric saw this post on Instagram he commented, "when you get back, your friendship is necessary!" Meaning, that he'd like to hang out and catch up upon her return.
Initially Alyssa did not respond to Eric. It was not until after she moved to Covina for a few weeks and felt settled in, that she reached out and took Eric up on his offer to hang out. He invited her to a young adult event at his church, Epicentre; Alyssa began attending Epicentre regularly, joined his lifegroup, and they spent literally every Sunday after church hanging out around Pasadena and the greater Los Angeles area for a few months, before they both realized they had romantic feelings for one another.
After a few months of hanging out almost every Sunday, Eric finally mustered up the courage to ask Alyssa out on a date. He planned to surprise her with tickets to the Asian American Expo when she returned home from her Sister's wedding. Her sister Morgan and her (new at the time) husband Randal, set their honeymoon destination for Disneyland. Since they previously discussed the possibility of getting Disneyland passes together before dating, Alyssa saw this as the perfect opportunity to do so and for Eric to meet her sister.
Before making the decision to go to Disneyland that night, Eric had already asked Alyssa on a date. After spending a few hours together at the park, they had their first kiss during World of Color at California Adventure, just as the fire from the show burst into the air. I guess one can say that there was a passion ignited within Eric, since he pulled Alyssa close and went in for the kiss while the show’s fire ignited and exploded. It was pretty cool, magical, and unexpected.
That night was deemed as the unofficial first date, since they still attended the Asian American Expo the next day. That first trip to Disneyland was the beginning of an entire years worth of spontaneous Disneyland trips, where they made countless memories, including the first time they said "I love you" in front of the castle.
In July of 2018, Alyssa and Eric, went on their first international trip together to Alyssa's second home- Indonesia! She was beyond excited to show Eric the culture, watch him taste some of her favorite foods, and show off her language skills for the two weeks they were there. This trip would be a test on how they travel, handle difficult situations, serve each other in sickness, and most importantly do ministry together.
Each day they were there their team of nine was split into three groups of three; Alyssa was unexpectedly asked to serve as one of the teams translators, (which was an honor) but at the same time it meant Eric and Alyssa didn't get to see each other very much as they were put on different teams almost everyday.
Their wonderful team leaders allowed them to have date night on their Sabbath days, which were always a lot of fun. One night Alyssa even talked Eric into trying durian! For those of you who don't know; this fruit is nicknamed the stinkiest fruit in the world. Alyssa loves it, Eric on the other hand said it "tastes like a mix between banana, pear and trash!" What can I say, no one is perfect!
One day, while the teams were out in the city, again in different groups, Eric came across a small boutique that sold traditional Indonesian batik. Batik is usually worn to formal occasions. This particular store sold couple batik. Eric and Alyssa would describe themselves as the "matchy-matchy" couple so this store was a dream. He saw a set that he knew they both would like, but when he saw the size of the dress wouldn't fit me, he left it. A few hours later Alyssa's group went to the same store. She looked around and saw a set she knew they, and it turns out the one Alyssa bought was the exact set (picture above) that Eric turned away from! It's now their favorite "matchy-matchy" outfit!
On the last day of their time in the city, Eric and Alyssa were finally on the same team! They walked around and started talking to a young mother of two. Eric had a strong feeling that he should pray for her family. As he prayed and encouraged the woman Alyssa translated everything he said. Although it's difficult to explain, when Alyssa translated Eric's words it felt as if they were her own. At that moment, Alyssa had a strong sense that they were going to be able to do ministry together.
Although the heat and some of the food were not his favorite, Alyssa loved watching Eric get out of his comfort zone while in Indonesia. Hopefully one day after he's fully recovered from tasting durian, we'll be able to go back to Alyssa's beloved second home.
In August 2019, Alyssa and Eric took a very long road trip through the south and midwest to attend Eric's best friend Blake's wedding, in Indiana.
They began their journey in Chicago, spending a couple of days with Alyssa's childhood best friend Mikaela and her husband Charlie. The next stop was Indiana for the wedding. They spent a few days in Indianapolis celebrating Blake and Kristina and reconnecting with old friends from college. They then drove down to Clarksville, TN where Alyssa met Eric's aunts and cousins on his mother's side, for the very first time. Last, they visited Atlanta where Eric once lived, and spent time with a few of his close friends before driving all the way back up to Chicago to fly back home.
A memorable part of this trip for Eric was that he learned that Alyssa cannot be trusted to drive on long road trips. Which was odd because every time they drove to the Bay Area, Alyssa did most of the work. So, you can imagine Eric's surprise when Alyssa didn't make it even an hour on the road; It's actually an experience that they look back and laugh about often.
A highlight for Alyssa was visiting the Chick-fil-A Home Office. Eric has many friends who work there and was able to arrange a private backstage tour for them with one of Eric's former roommates, Bryant. Alyssa really enjoyed this part of the trip because as she moves up in the CFA organization, she's learned more about the history of the org. For them to be able to see and hear firsthand how CFA has made an impact on millions over the years and step foot into an atmosphere and culture rich with so much history, philanthropy, Jesus centered beliefs, and so much more, was almost as magical as Disneyland.
On this trip, Alyssa and Eric confirmed that they travel well together. This was wonderful because a culture that they would like to cultivate within the family they're building is that of exploration, adventure, and travel. They have both traveled the world individually, and want to continue to do so together and keep world exploration as a huge part of their lives together.
Eric planned a (fake) photoshoot “for a friend’s portfolio,” and Alyssa was down for it. Since they've been photographed for portfolios in the past, this was not out of the ordinary to Alyssa. Brandon's (the photographer) fiancé Ariel is a make up artist and offered to do Alyssa's make up for the shoot; and Alyssa's roommates facilitated a fake nail/spa day, so that her nails would be done as well. While they walked around the Claremont Colleges taking photos (eventually being kicked off the campus because...COVID-19), Eric's roommates, their fiancé’s, and two other friends set up a picnic at a nearby park.
Eric normally takes a bunch of photos and videos when he and Alyssa go out, so she didn’t think that him recording throughout the day was odd. This is how he got away with documenting the first half of their engagement video. They even borrowed Eric's mom’s car for something a little fancier to use in the photos.
Alyssa mentioned to her best friend Sarah a few days before the shoot that “Eric would be so dumb NOT to propose on Saturday. We will literally have a professional photographer, my make up and hair will be done. It just makes sense!” Sarah quickly responded in a way that lead Alyssa to believe that there was no way Eric would be proposing that weekend.
After being kicked off the campus, we went over to the Claremont Village, about two blocks away from the park. Eric suggested we do photos at the park after "looking at his map to find somewhere to go." Alyssa still had no idea what was going to happen, and we had been shooting for about an hour and a half at this point. Eric had no idea what the park looked like, or where his roommates were setting up, so he turned to Brandon and whispered, "I really hope that I see the set up before Alyssa does." He did see it before she did! Alyssa thought the set up was an ode to the frontline workers that have been popping up all over the place. It wasn’t until they got inside the park, and Eric grabbed her hand that she realized what was happening.
He sang a little bit of "Always and Forever" by Luther Vandross; told a little backstory about the ring, got down on one knee, and said, "Alyssa Kathleen Strickling, would you do me the esteemed honor of being my wife?" Alyssa said "Yes!" She was waiting for him to stop talking so that she could accept his proposal.
In middle school, I was in a small group, made up of other middle school girls called Excellence. During one of our Sunday meetings our group leader started to talk about praying for our future husbands. By middle school I was already pretty serious about my faith and had a desire to make God the center of my life so praying for my husband made sense. They also asked us to write down the characteristics we wanted our future husband to have.
A couple years ago I found this list and laughed. It had good things like "Love God" and "have a good sense of humor." It also had other things like, "taller than me" and "good looking." While I did get all of these things in Eric. These are not the reasons I've chosen to give my heart to him.
They say that you should date someone for at least a year before you consider marriage. After a year you will have seen each other in so many different seasons, good and bad. Eric and I have seen each other through some of the most difficult seasons of our lives. Some of these seasons could have torn us apart, but they didn't. Each season brought us closer, made us stronger, and developed a bond that cannot be easily broken. Even our short break in January 2019 is something we look back on as a necessary action to making us better for each other.
Eric also makes me want to be the best version of myself. He is always pushing me towards greatness and never lets me settle for any less than what I deserve. When I try to settle or make a decision that doesn't match who God has called me to be, he gives me a look, then asks if I've prayed about it. My response is usually an eye roll, "No," prayer, to which the answer is also "No" or sometimes "Yes" depending on the situation.
We also just have fun together. Whether its dance parties in the car, cooking together, watching a movie, or just walking around Old Town Pasadena, we just have fun! I remember a few months ago he was taking me home, and we were talking about our first dance song. He looked over at me and smiled and said I have the song. By this time we made it to my house, he parked the car and starts playing the song. He pulled me out of the car, and we start dancing in the middle of the street! I started laughing hysterically as he spun me around, and couldn't help but get excited that this spontaneously silly guy would be the person I spend forever with.
Of course these are just a few of the reasons I love him. To hear the rest you'll have to tune in to our wedding and listen to the vows!
When I was 18, I wrote a Facebook note (back when facebook notes were a thing), describing my perfect life partner. In short, because we all know how long winded I can sometimes be, these were the qualifications. Take note, that I in no way ever expected to meet someone and she be absolutely perfect.
1. Loves the Lord
2. Knows me inside and out.
3. Is chill. Can be satisfied with just sitting and talking all night long.
4. Appreciates chivalry; Sure, she’s an “independent woman who don’t need no man to do nothing for her,” but let’s me serve her.
5. Loves to cook as well as I do, and can cook well.
6. Loves children. I want a big family.
Obviously, over the years I’ve grown and matured as have my mindset, values, and desires. Though somehow these 6 desires have always been just the qualities I’ve hoped for. Alyssa meets all of these and more!
Many of my friends claim to have known that this was it for me from the first time they saw us together, which was at that young adult night at Epicentre back in 2017. Funny though, that was the first time I had seen her in person since 2014. Truth be told, and I’ll never admit this again because it would mean that Alyssa is right; when I saw her that night, I was smitten. That big beautiful smile, curly natural hair, her voice, the warm embrace, and conversation throughout the night got me.
As we begun hanging out for the next couple of months, I tried so hard to fight my feelings. I also was in the middle of a discipleship training school through Epicentre and had signed a covenant not to begin a new romantic relationship until after we had completed the course in January 2018. This was good though because it allowed for us to build a really solid friendship foundation. During our friendship, I spent a lot of time exposing Alyssa to films that were what I thought to be important for black people to have seen. One night, while watching “The Best Man,” at my apartment, I looked over at Alyssa who was sitting across the room on the other couch, and thought to myself, “ugh! I wish I could sit next to her and cuddle with her.” That was the moment it hit me; at least that I wanted to date her. We went on our first date the week I graduated the discipleship school.
As for marriage, the Lord told me about 3 weeks into dating. We were at the Antioch Movement’s annual mission’s conference, World Mandate West. It was the final session of the conference and the pastor who was talking about the calling to go said this: “If you know that you’re called to the nations, come down and stand here. If you don’t know or think that the Lord has called you, but you’re willing to go stand over there.” Alyssa asked me to go down with her and I said “no.” Mostly because I was ready to go home. He began to pray and intercede over these people who went down. He then instructed spouses of those down there to go find their partner and pray over and with them. Then the Lord spoke to me the most clear that He ever has. He said, “Eric, go find Alyssa and pray for her.” I was so confused. I said, “Lord, she’s not my wife. We’ve only been dating for three weeks!” He said again, “Eric go to Alyssa, and pray for your wife.” I left my seat, and found Alyssa deep in the crowd. I didn’t even have to search for her. It was like I magically gilded right to her. I touched her shoulder as she was deep in prayer, shaking, hot, and filled with Holy Spirit. I began to pray for my [future] wife.
One of the first things that attracted me to Alyssa was her worship, and her obvious deep relationship with God. I realized later that I was more attracted to the Lord through her. She prays without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17). She is the most encouraging and supportive; She never judges; Is patient; I feel 100% comfortable with being my truest self around her. She is the first person I want to see in the morning, and the last person I want to see at night. I know that’s super cliché, but it’s the honest truth, especially being engaged and so close to marriage. She’s the first person I go to with good and bad news. Her smile literally lights up my world, and I still get that tingly butterfly feeling when I see her...and I still try to impress her with my swag as if we’ve been dating for a couple of weeks.
I’ve shared a lot, so I’ll wrap it up now. Ultimately, this woman is truly my best friend, the love of my life, and I am admitting that I most definitely fell for her first. But if anyone asks, it was her!
The ring belonged to Eric's mother, Michelle. Actually, Michelle found the ring over 30 years ago on a beach while searching for shells and pebbles in the sand with her friend. In June 2019, Eric visited his parents to share with them his plans to marry Alyssa. Eric always dreamt of having a family heirloom of sorts to pass to his future wife and/or children, that would continue to be passed for generations. When Eric asked his mother if she had anything that she had that was maybe handed down to her, or that she might want to pass down, she searched her jewelry boxes frantically in search of something. She found this ring, and gave it to him.
Eric worked with his jeweler friend Steven (shoutout to Catalyst Jewelry) to replace the main diamond and designed the perfect cut for Alyssa. The main diamond is a very classic princess cut. While there are four smaller stones on the outside creating a crown to signify Alyssa’s becoming his Queen.
Here are a few fun facts about the couple.
1. They love different snacks. On any given day, you can find Eric munching on hot Cheetos while Alyssa prefers popcorn or ice cream.
2. After an entire year of begging, in 2019 Alyssa finally agreed to playing a video game with Eric. But nothing violent or where she had to shoot people. He whipped out his old Nintendo 64, coached Alyssa on how to play Mario Kart, and she kicked his butt! While his pride was shot, his love for Alyssa grew even stronger knowing that she was at least open to one video game.
3. Their favorite song is “Won’t He Do It” by Koryn Hawthorne. One could argue that we “turn up” when it comes on our shuffle.
4. Alyssa LOVES The Lion King (Animated). She knows every line and every song by heart.
5. Eric LOVES The Prince of Egypt. You can often catch him singing any one of the songs or randomly speaking some of the lines.
6. Months before dating, Eric learned that Alyssa had not seen many “iconic” Black films of the 80s and 90s. He spent months showing Alyssa many films to get her black card reinstated. Two and a half years later, and we're still working on this!
7. On their very first trip to visit Alyssa’s family, Eric fell asleep not even an hour into the drive. He slept most of the drive actually. Alyssa was pretty upset (she never let’s him forget this moment), as she was excited to go deeper with him—being stuck in a car for five hours...Alyssa had the pleasure of returning the favor on their drive from Indianapolis to Clarksville last summer. And again from Atlanta back to Chicago.
8. They had plans to lead an outreach team to Paris this September, but COVID-19...They still hope to lead this and many other teams in the future. Ministry is a passion that they both share.
9. Eric grew up (before moving to Pasadena when he was nine) in a home in East Oakland that is actually in the same neighborhood as Alyssa’s maternal grandmother. Maybe they would have met earlier had the Bailey’s stayed in the Bay?
10. Their birthdays are a month a part. Eric is August 16 and Alyssa is September 15.
11. They love to cook for each other! Whether its a fancy steak and shrimp dinner, pancakes and eggs, or Hamburger Helper, food is definitely their love language.
12. Alyssa and Eric have a knack for learning new languages. In preparations to go to France, they both started learning French on Duolingo! Eric is the only one still learning.
13. Collectively, they have friends in every continent (except Antarctica)! This is great since they love to travel and even hope to live internationally one day.
14. Chick-fil-A is a big part of both of their lives. Eric worked at Chick-fil-A's nonprofit camp, Winshape, for two years. He has some of his most fond memories and dearest friends from this season. Alyssa is currently working for a local Chick-fil-A branch as a team trainer and hopes to continue to move up within the organization.
15. Eric runs hot and Alyssa runs cold! This combination is going to make for some interesting thermostat wars in the years to come!
16. They love to match! Sometimes before a date or event Alyssa or Eric, (usually Eric) will send a picture of what they plan to wear and the other will try to match.