We’re getting married.

days hours mins secs
on October 10th 2015, Waterloo, ON, Canada
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Michelle Ben
Michael Gropp

Bride's Story

Michelle grew up in an amazing Christian family in Waterloo, Ontario, with one older sister and two faithful parents. She was exposed to different cultures and international travel since she was a young girl. Her passion for everything international continued to grow and grow, and her adventurous spirit led her to move abroad for the first time in 2011 to Hong Kong. She jumped from country to country to work and study International Business, but found it really hard to get connected to a strong Christian community. Over the past year, God has been really rekindling her faith and constantly reminding her that He’s the most important thing in life. Since graduating her Masters, she had been wondering when on earth she was going to meet Prince Charming and settle down.

Groom's Story

Mike grew up in a loving, Christian family in Corona, California, with two older sisters and two amazing parents. He always had a passion for business, a knack for languages, and a thirst for adventure which took him far and wide. He started whole-heartedly following the Lord at 18. The Lord took him through a time of intense refining throughout his university career at Baylor University in Texas. In 2010 God led him to China to pursue his entrepreneurial dream. After getting an inside look into doing business in China, he started a company with some Chinese comrades. He’s continued to be active in the entrepreneurial space in Beijing. It’s an exciting adventure that continues today, however, Mike had been feeling there was a 5’ 8” Canadian hole in his heart.
Their Story

Mike and Michelle’s relationship has God’s fingerprints all over it. If you want full details, just ask them. Here’s the short and sweet version. They met on a Christian dating website, and were instantly drawn to each other’s profiles. Michelle was in Canada and Mike was in China. As they began messaging back and forth, the messages grew exponentially longer. Then, Skype. It wasn’t long before their first 9-hour conversation…then the second… then the third… Michelle's family noticed Michelle's increased yawns and smiles. Through more than a few laughs and intentional discussions on the important things in life, they quickly discovered their strong compatibility. From opposite sides of the globe, they built a deep friendship founded on Jesus Christ.

They made plans to meet in Canada in July; however, as they continued to grow closer, a romance began to bloom and July seemed a lot farther than first thought. During this time, God was frustrating Michelle’s job search in Canada because He had bigger, better plans in mind. Mike and Michelle looked at job opportunities for her in Beijing. In a short period of time, Mike, by the grace of God, put out the red carpet for Michelle to come to Beijing: job, apartment, plane ticket, opportunities to practice the 4 languages she speaks, a solid church and Bible study, and 24-hour Mandarin-English concierge service, courtesy of Mike himself.

Mike met her at the airport and surprised her with 24 roses in hand, then took her to Summer Palace the next day and asked her to officially be his girlfriend. The rest seems, at times, like a wonderful blur: praying together, dancing together, going on walks, having meaningful conversations, enjoying romantic dinners, scootering around Beijing… all the while laughing constantly and learning to love steadfastly. They made each day feel special, even days spent riding the subway, doing everyday errands, and working on their company. As they spent more time praying, reading the Bible together, and discussing the meaning of marriage, they both decided in their own hearts they wanted to spend the rest of their lives loving and following God together.

On July 1, 2015, Mike took Michelle back to Summer Palace to the same grassy knoll they visited on her second day in Beijing. He proposed. SHE SAID YES!!!

合璧 hébì
to combine harmoniously; the perfect match

Their Loveline

Jan 14 2015

The Story Begins

Mike and Michelle met through a Christian dating website, which up 'til this point left them with very low expectations of finding "the one" online

Jan 26 2015

First Skype Call

"I really enjoyed talking with you, when would be a good time to talk again?" -Mike, ending every call

Feb 24 2015

First 9-Hour Skype Call

Since Michelle was job searching and Mike was on holiday for Chinese Spring Festival, they had plenty of time to talk, and they certainly used it

Mar 7 2015

Second Long Skype Call

They put in a full work day laughing and sharing their lives as best they could from thousands of miles away

Mar 18 2015

Third Long Skype Call

"How did we used to only message back and forth, but not Skype?" -Michelle, after nearly 9 hours of talking

Mar 25 2015

Michelle Gets Job Offer

The last piece of the puzzle fell into place for Michelle to come to Beijing

Apr 13 2015

Michelle Arrives in Beijing

"Time slowed. My heart raced. Those first few seconds lingered on like an eternity. Time itself crumbled before me and I didn't care. All else faded and blurred. There she was. Her. She's here...WOOOHOOO!!!"   Mike's inner monologue

May 24 2015

First Kiss

Michelle had butterflies and Mike was all smiles; it was 100% worth the wait

Jul 1 2015

The Proposal

"Real love, the Bible says, instinctively desires permanence." -Tim Keller

Oct 10 2015

The Wedding

The two shall become one.

“A man shall leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a profound mystery...”
Ephesians 5:31-32

wedding events

Wedding Ceremony

Creekside Church, Westside Chapel 660 Conservation Drive Waterloo ON, N2J 3Z4, Canada Saturday, 10 October 2015 2:00 PM
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Hors d'Oeuvres

The Delta Hotel 110 Erb Street West Waterloo, ON, N2L 0C6, Canada Saturday, 10 October 2015 5:30 PM
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Reception

Silver Lake Ballroom at the Delta Hotel 110 Erb Street West Waterloo, ON, N2L 0C6, Canada Saturday, 10 October 2015 6:00 PM
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Important People

Bridesmaids

Sarah Ben

Sarah is Michelle’s one and only sister and Maid of Honor. While many people have actually thought they were twins, Sarah is in fact 15 months older. Sarah loves to read, bake delicious desserts, and work with kids. She’s an EA and specializes in working with autistic kids, and is extremely patient and loyal. In her spare time she can be found lane swimming, doing creative projects while catching up on her Netflix shows, or Skyping with Michelle, who is normally half way around the world.

Marie-Michelle Jobin

Marie-Michelle and Michelle met on their first day of undergrad at the University of Ottawa and immediately became great friends. They competed in lifeguard competitions, lived together for a year and later went on to do the same Master program. Marie-Michelle also has an adventurous spirit, a knack for business and a love of languages and discovering new cultures. They backpacked around South America together for a month, met up in multiple countries in Europe and always dream about where their next travel destinations will be.

Tara Braybrook

Tara and Michelle have been good friends for 9 years. They met lifeguarding at an outdoor pool one summer and hit it off right away. Their friendship is full of life-giving laughter and inside jokes, and they always do fun things together, like attempt to play tennis and go skating, even if they aren’t so skilled. Tara is an EA and teacher in a kindergarten class and is patient beyond belief. Tara got married in 2012 to a man named Evan, and Michelle had the joy and pleasure of being a bridesmaid in her wedding.

Amy Cressman

Amy and Michelle met at their church youth group back in 2001 and have remained loyal friends all these years. They were on the same mission trip to Ecuador in 2010 and had a blast together serving God and local kids from the slums at a kid’s camp. Amy and Michelle love to meet up for breakfast dates (they both love coffee!) and often go to parks for intense walks and workouts. Amy is a nurse, and that suits her really well because she has such a joyful spirit and definitely knows how to take care of people.

Groomsmen

Gordie Galloway

Gordie is Mike's brother-in-law, good friend, and Best Man. They have known each other for over 10 years. Gordie is rock-solid reliable, and his sense of humor makes him a fun guy to have around. Mike figured a good way to keep Gordie around was to allow him to marry his sister. When he is not managing the finances of America's greatest pancake empire, he is chasing after his energetic three children, Allie, Aaron, and Adam, and his wonderful wife, Katie.

Morgan Johansen

Morgan is Mike's brother-in-law and good friend of 8 years. Morgan is the kind of guy you don't want to play against in chess, but would love to get a hold of at a cocktail party. When he isn't launching rockets into space with his friend Elon, or blowing them up in the process, he enjoys the company of his wife and our reception MC, Anna, and his two adorable children, Jack and Jane, the two blonde blurs you see zooming around.

Neal Winterhof

Neal will not only be making a cameo at his third Gropp Wedding, but he's doing it as part of the wedding party once again. Neal is a renaissance man who has lived an interesting life: investment banking, trading oil futures, nearly joining the circus, and working part-time as a professional groomsman. He has been a friend and mentor to "young Gropp," whom he has shown a thing or two about business, and if you catch him on the dance floor with his beautiful wife Maggie, he may teach you a thing or two about dancing.

Floyd Coghlan

Floyd and Mike met in 2010 in Beijing, and have been good friends since. Together, they have led Chinese university students come to faith in Jesus Christ; they've driven around the crazy streets of Beijing in Floyd's electric car; and they have had laugh after laugh derived from their back and forth banter on Only in China moments. They have fought together in the trenches of 'living in China,' and have built a solid camaraderie through these shared experiences. It's no overstatement to say Floyd is a southern gentleman and faithful friend with a heart of gold. When he isn't saving damsels in distress, he is helping international students transition into university life in the U.S.

Their Future

Gifts

  • $

Instagram

#mmgropp

Hotel Options

Delta Waterloo

Address110 Erb Street West Waterloo, Ontario N2L 0C6 Canada
Phone: +1 888-890-3222

Click here to book online with special guest discount

Note: AAA/CAA members will want to check member prices before booking to ensure the best price

Guestbook

July 13, 2015

Michael and Michelle, We are so thrilled that you will be married soon. Michael you have chosen a wonderful, accomplished, and godly woman to be your wife and we couldn’t be happier. Michelle we are so glad that you will be part of our family and that Michael will be added to yours as well. May God’s blessing be upon you as your prepare for the Big Day. Luvya, Mom and Dad, Jane and Steve

Steve and Jane Gropp
July 13, 2015

To Michelle and Mike….we look very forward to sharing this special day with the both of you!! Love, Aunt Joanne and Uncle Keith xo

Joanne and Keith Watson
July 14, 2015

We are so delighted that you have found each other. It doesn’t seem like that long ago that Michael got on a plane to go half-way round the world to follow his dreams. It is amazing to see how God has been preparing you both for the lives you are now fusing together. We are excited to join you to celebrate the beginning of so many wonderful things that God will be doing in and through you and your family.

Welcome to the family Michelle & love to you both!
Love,
Gordie & Katie Galloway
Allie, Aaron, & Adam

Gordie & Katie Galloway
July 19, 2015

Thank God for how He has brought you two together! We always knew it would take the rare kind of woman itching for adventure, eager to laugh and full of the Holy Spirit to come alongside our little brother. He has found that and more in you, Michelle. We are counting down the days to celebrate the beginning of the biggest adventure two people can have: Ma-wege!

You are often in our prayers and thoughts. Jack and Jane keep asking if it is time to go to Canada to see Uncle Mike get married–Anticipation abounds!

All our love and hugs,
Morgan, Anna, Jack & Jane

Morgan & Anna Johansen

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