JuLIe AnD LISA
ever after
Julie and Lisa’s story began slowly, but with a touch of
comedy the romance became box office gold. Julie shares
their journey. Photography by Randy Chapman.
L
isa and I met about 13 years ago, although we did
not start dating until 2011. She runs a karate studio,
and I teach in an elementary school. She often visits
schools in the community to speak with the students
about respect, self-discipline, and motivation. Back in
2003 – the year her studio opened, and my very first year
teaching – she visited my classroom.
We were at different places in our lives. I was newly
married, and she was in a relationship. I was married to a
man; she was with a woman. The time was not right, but I
never forgot her face.
Fast forward to 2010... I was recently divorced and had
two small sons, and she was coming out of a relationship. My
elder son wanted to take karate, and I remembered Lisa. I
took my boys to her karate studio and reminded her that we
had met before.
We began spending some time together as friends. We
saw movies and had lunches, but we weren’t interested in
dating since I didn't realise I could be interested in a woman.
As we spent more time together, we accidentally fell in love
with one another and the time we spent together was just so
amazing. It wasn’t long before we became a couple.
Lisa proposed to me at Walt Disney World in front of
Cinderella’s castle, immediately after the nightly fireworks
show in June 2014. She got down on her knee and told me
how she had waited her whole life to find me, and that she
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