True Love at an ObesityHelp Conference
October 13, 2015Chris and Sarah Waffle share their love story that began at the ObesityHelp Conference #OH2013.
Chris: It was October 2013 and the sultry Southern California air was thick with chemistry. #OH2013 was fast approaching and my recent trips to Las Vegas had made money tight. My only chance was to con the powers at ObesityHelp that I was a speaker with some important words of wisdom.
Sarah: Oh dear. I had traveled to #OH2013 with some friends I met by making YouTube videos. I saw that some guy named Chris Waffle was giving a talk that I really needed to hear called “The Funny Fat Guy: When Your Friends Start Treating You Different After WLS.” I was having a hard time with some of my relationships as I was changing so quickly. So I went all of the way to California to hear his presentation.
Chris: The first night was a costume party and I decided on something that would help me keep a low profile so I could just get to know the people and allow me to chat with some friends without creating a scene.
Sarah: He was dressed as the devil and he was carrying Hostess cupcakes. He was very popular. LOL!
Chris: I walked down to the party with a friend and the music was playing the popular tunes of the day. “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke. As I scanned the dance floor, I saw a young woman with her back to me, dancing gracefully. “Who’s that!?” I exclaimed.
Sarah: He asked me if I wanted a cupcake and I said “Look Chris Waffle. I’m REAAAAALLY excited to see your talk tomorrow, but right now I’m busy dancing and watching.” Then I gave him what is known in the WLS community as Sarah Waffle’s sex crime eyes.
Chris: I have to admit that I was intrigued. I really appreciate someone who wants to hear me talk as much as I want to hear myself talk. In any case, I bid her and her friends adieu and got to bed early so I could be fresh for my talk the next day.
Sarah: No, no, no. He’s leaving a thing or two out. A few minutes later, I walked by and he was dancing with another lovely lady. While he was dancing with her, he asked if I wanted to go out with him when the official event had ended for the night. I told him "NO."
Chris: Hmm…that doesn’t sound familiar. Anyway, the next day I came down to the main area, excited and nervous for my talk.
Sarah: I actually was excited to hear his talk, I wasn’t just saying that. He let us all know he was single with a curious Power Point slide labelled “Dating: Men and Women.” To this day he doesn’t remember what the point of that slide was supposed to be, but at least I left his talk knowing that I had a chance.
Chris: Yes, my talk went flawlessly.
Sarah: Later that night was the fashion show, and I intended to make sure Chris Waffle knew who I was. We started talking about football, only to later find out that both of us were pretending to like football just for the sake of conversation. (Full disclosure: We’re actually watching football right now, but neither of us have any idea what is happening. Go Sports Team! Get your ball to the other side!)
Chris: There was a really long line for the photo booth. Being a celebrity speaker, I figured most in the line would be happy to let me cut in front of them. So I did. People seemed to be pairing up and having a great time. Sarah approached me for a set of extremely classy pictures. Only spending a few brief moments from the weekend, it felt like we knew each other all our lives.
Sarah: Pairing up? You make it sound like a swingers event. I think he means they were pairing up with friends for pictures. Just to clarify. Anyhow, people kept trying to interrupt us and get his attention, but I was having none of that. We were connecting over our shared struggles, journey, and changes. So I took his hand and we hid behind a closed bar in the lobby.
Chris: We probably started talking around 9:30 p.m. and by 2:00 a.m., we were planning our wedding. We talked about everything from Disney Parks and movies to politics and religion. We talked, hiding behind that closed bar for probably eight hours straight.
Sarah: We were engaged two months later. (He proposed in Mickey’s house at Disneyland!) He moved to Oregon four months after that and 10 months after we met, we were married by Elvis. Exactly how we planned in the lobby of #OH2013.
Sarah: People ask us if it’s easier to be married to someone who also had WLS, and that’s a tough question. It’s comforting and encouraging to be with someone who gets the depth and complexity of obesity, and the struggles that come with obesity. But sometimes it’s like being two alcoholics in a bar. We have the same addiction, the same vice, and it’s a constant struggle to keep each other accountable.
Chris: The most important thing is to find that person who inspires you and makes you dream bigger. Who supports you at your best and still loves you at your worst. And to hold on to that person who you can’t imagine not wanting to see every day. Thanks for existing so we could meet, Obesity Help!
 | ABOUT THE AUTHOR Chris Waffle had VSG surgery in April 2011 and reached his goal weight. Chris has been mentoring others in their weight loss and using his humor and success as an example to others. Chris is one-half of the acoustic nerd-rock duo Going Viral and has been entertaining audiences for years. On television, Chris has appeared on the Travel Channel’s America's Worst Driver, EXTRA and G4TVs Attack of the Show. Chris and his music are also featured in the documentary film The People vs. George Lucas. |
 | ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sarah Waffle with Dr. Aceves in June 2013. She didn't see it as a weight loss method or a body makeover, she saw it as an opportunity at a comprehensive life makeover. A sales professional by day, she has married, lost 160lbs, bought a house, changed careers and merged families. Chris and Sarah started their own business, launched a band, started a cultural entertainment brand, and commit every day to success and self-improvement. Sarah is passionate about whole life health, goal setting, and pursuing your passion. |
