Gracie had been late in getting to the fundraiser because she took a cab and the driver did not know how to get to the National Presbyterian Church where the fundraiser was being held. Because of his unfamiliarity, the driver dropped her off about four blocks away, in the pouring rain. After asking a few people on the street for directions, Gracie finally found her way to the church, but not without getting all sopping wet.

When she arrived at the fund-raiser, Anna Hong told her to sit next to Sounil since there was an empty seat next to him and because he's a sociable kinda guy. (Oddly enough, there were actually a lot of empty seats...) Sounil immediately introduced himself to her, and after a bit of small talk, he asked her if she was a Christian. This was significant because Gracie had really been longing for someone to talk with her about Christ. (Up to that point, she had been attending KCPC for over two months, and no one had ever REALLY talked with her about God or shared about their faith.) So, Gracie was thrilled and thankful when Sounil asked her whether she knew God and how she became a Christian. She proceeded to share with Sounil her incredible testimony of how God brought her from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. and the Family Research Council. Sounil was amazed by her testimony and the work that God had done through her. It was perhaps the first time that Sounil ever met someone who walked such a path of faith.

When the fundraiser ended, Gracie still needed to find a way back home, so she timidly asked Sounil whether he knew of anyone who lived near the Arlington area with whom she could catch a ride. Sounil immediately volunteered to take her home, telling her that it would be no problem at all.

Gracie was struck by his eagerness to help, his kindness, and his generosity, all of which, she would later learn, was very typical of Sounil's character.

On the drive home, they entered into a stimulating discussion about the role of Christians in politics. So stimulating, in fact, that even after they had reached Gracie's house, the two sat together in the car for at least another half hour to continue their conversation.

That was the night their friendship really began. And it continued to grow quickly after that first meeting because they were comfortable with each other and because Sounil, being the social coordinator for the young adult group at KCPC, always made a point to include Gracie in the group's activities. (Sounil wasn't giving Gracie special treatment; he did the same for all other newcomers as well.)

At the end of the evening, both Sounil and Gracie were thankful and excited to have made a new friend. But neither of them had any trace of romantic feelings or attraction to the other, only genuine appreciation. The romantic feelings would develop several months later as their friendship and care for one another deepened.