Houston Couple Marries in Austin After Beryl Derails Their Marriage

AUSTIN, Texas — Nataliia Chernenko and Caleb Cohen first met through a Facebook dating site, with Nataliia being the only person who was compatible with Caleb.

“We were always calling each other, FaceTime each other, doing yoga, watching movies online,” Chernenko said. “Caleb turns every bad day, every misfortune, into the best memory of our lives.”

It was a match that turned into love.

“I think what really appealed to me was how easy Nataliia makes things and she really appreciates the little things,” Cohen said.

After dating for four and a half years, marriage was their next step, with plans for a small wedding at Memorial Hermann Park in Houston.

That was the plan, until Hurricane Beryl arrived.

“The weather hadn’t improved, the electricity hadn’t come back on the grid yet. No electricity, no air conditioning. And we were afraid to stay in the apartment,” Cohen and Chernenko said.

Instead of staying with friends, the couple decided to take refuge in Austin. Along the way, they figured they could continue their love story in a city they loved so much.

“We love the view from Austin,” Cohen and Chernenko said. “You know, what if we did it here instead of waiting to come back to Houston? That would be great. We found someone who was ordained and could do the service for us.”

Pastor Tyler Fishbone, who was ordained online, came to the rescue after learning about the couple’s story online. He married them Wednesday night at Auditorium Shores.

“People in need, like natural disasters or something that, you know, affects everybody. And it doesn’t discriminate against people when it affects an entire area,” Fishbone said. “So the idea of ​​being able to help complete strangers appealed to me.”

It is the story of a man caught in the storm, only to be swept away by the power of love.

“We enjoy every day together and every little moment together,” Cohen said. “And when problems arise, you know, you find a way to solve them.”

The couple says they plan to move to Austin in the near future, with hopes of buying a house and raising rescue dogs together.

Isabella Basco on social networks: Facebook | X | Instagram

KVUE on Social Media: Facebook | X | Instagram | Youtube