Upon leaving the military, William continued his education and pursued a Master’s Degree in Occupational Safety and Health. While striving towards this milestone, he worked as a safety consultant which allowed him to travel and deliver speeches all around the world. Some of William’s clients included Cirque du Soleil, NBC / Universal, NASA, Disney, National Park Service, Direct TV, Federal Aviation Administration, National Weather Service, U.S. Navy, U.S. Army and a whole host of other well known organizations.
William has made a living giving speeches in front of large and small crowds. His ability to read an audience, combined with his witty ness will ensure that, despite the inevitable hiccups, no one will be the wiser. His travels have taken him to numerous countries around the world, such as Greece, Australia, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea (where he met his bride) has given him a unique perspective on life and culture. William moved his family from the Seattle area to Central Virginia when he accepted a job to work for a non-profit organization that employs people with disabilities. Now he uses his vast experience of global cultures, public speaking and combines it with a profound love of people to help ensure that they begin their lives together with a memorable ceremony.
Born in Los Angeles, CA and having graduated from the University of California, Riverside, William enlisted into the armed services only a month after the September 11th attacks and found himself stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington shortly thereafter. He was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division and became a part of the very first “Stryker” Brigade. After a deployment to Iraq, William was reassigned to a Calvary Brigade to teach and mentor younger soldiers.
Margaret is an Indiana native, but moved to Virginia five years ago from Seattle. She is a musician, singer, belly dancer, and world traveler! Having visited over 15 countries she has a unique perspective of the world, and loves to share that with those around her. In addition, she has lived in both Germany and South Korea, and actually met her husband in Korea while teaching English! Margaret possesses a Bachelors in German Studies and can speak it fluently. With a penchant for the theatrical and a genuine love for people, Forever-Agape, LLC is blessed to have such a wonderful addition to our team.
Call it luck, fate, or divine intervention, but there is no denying that both William and Margaret were on an inevitable path to be with one another forever. Their story begins on May 12, 2008 in South Korea, about an hour from the Demilitarized Zone (a.k.a. “The DMZ), where William was spending his last day in South Korea after concluding a two-week business trip. Margaret was on her way to visit the DMZ with some friends, but had barely just begun her one-year contract teaching English in Masan, South Korea.
Their chance encounter only lasted a few hours, because William needed to catch a flight back to Seattle, but it was enough to solidify a year-long intercontinental long-distance relationship. Undoubtedly, this time period was very difficult for both William and Margaret, but what it lacked in proximity it made up for in conversation. Over an entire year the couple allowed their love to evolve from a “chance encounter” to a fully developed relationship. They spoke on the phone every morning and evening for no less than 3 hours per occasion, and with a 17 hrs. time difference they became experts at time management.
The Love Story...
When Margaret’s contract was up, and she was prepared to return back home to Indiana, William had hoped that she would stop by Seattle first before reuniting with her family. While touring the Emerald City, their adventures finally landed them at a small quaint restaurant called iL Bistro, which is located in the heart of Pikes Place Market. It was there that William got down on one knee and proposed to Margaret. She enthusiastically accepted, while the patrons of the restaurant applauded.
With each phone conversation, William had realized that the woman he had met a year ago, was not just a beautiful person on the outside, but that this beauty was a manifestation of the radiant and alluring beauty she also possessed inside. He equated the space between their talks to a modern-day purgatory that is only escapable through the soft, caring voice of the one he wanted to marry. The first chapter of their lives were written with the love they were able to develop over a period of a year just talking over the telephone.
Spanning a distance of nearly 8,500 miles, they were unable to touch, hold, kiss, or be in the presence of one another, but the foundation and bedrock by which they have built their relationship is one that will stand the test of time. Now as William and Margaret begin their second, third, and additional chapters in their lives they do so without ever forgetting their origins.
“Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.” – Matthew 7:25
William and Margaret currently live in Chester, Virginia with their two sons (Jericho & Ronen) and their two Australian Shepherds (Mordecai & Hadassah).
...of Us.
Forever Agape's newest wedding officiant...Nicole McKinney!
From a young age, Nicole has enjoyed performance art and public speaking. She has, on many occasions, taken on lead roles for both school and church productions as well as solo performances in choir, music ministry and national competitive cheer leading. During her education phase, Nicole was also top of her class in her Communications course and was ostentatiously voted “Most Likely to Do Something Dangerous” by her high school senior class…which is why we love her so much!