by Ken Owens

March 31, 2018

Even though I have photographed many matchings, the one I most remember is, of course, my own.


The person who would become my future spouse actually came to New Future Photo office to buy photographs for KEA. She smiled a lot and came several times. During the time of the CAUSA signature campaign where all members had to get signatures, I saw my future intended invading my area. That didn’t sit with me very well, but I just let it go.

One day, Meeyung Cho, that was her name, came into the office and said that she needed a matching portrait. Word came to KEA that Father was about to do a matching. I told my boss, Robert Davis, and he was skeptical about it. Well, by the end of the week, it was announced and that a blessing workshop was taking place that weekend. I went there and she did too. When we were split up into groups, we both were part of Mrs. Spurgin’s group.

Well, everyone had to give a short testimony. So, I heard her story, and she heard mine. My heart kind of melted, right then.

A week later, the matching was held in the New Yorker ballroom. Even though I had to get matched, I had to be the photographer inside the ballroom.  During the lunch break, I saw her out in the lobby, near the stairs. I asked if she was okay and she said yes. Afterwards, we were inside again and I kept photographing. When Father asked all the brothers who wanted Asian wives, to form a line. Well, I put my camera on my shoulder and lined up near the back. After several Japanese sisters were matched, a Korean was then matched. Dr. Bo Hi Pak asked all the Korean sisters to stand up. Only three more did. The brother next to me was matched to the sister in front of us. By some heavenly fortune, their son would later be blessed to our second daughter. Small world!

Then, after Father asked me how old I was, he called down near the stage, where Mother was sitting.  He asked the sister, Meeyung, standing nearby how old she was. After several tries, he then turned to me and signaled we were matched. We then bowed and went to the front where Mother had a big smile. Then, as we bowed to her, David Kim asked Brazil Kim to get my camera and take our photo.  He did, and we went to accept each other.

Afterwards, we went to Applebee’s for a snack. Then, she went to tell all her friends at KEA, and I went back into the ballroom to continue photographing the rest of the matchings.