"Yoders for the Win!"

That was my text sent to Morgan, after looking at his profile on a Christian dating site. Having known some disappointment, I decided following Christ was my first priority and I sought company for my goal. I wasn't sure if I was ready for a relationship just yet. I prayed about the cute, easy-going man who I had been talking to and asked God what I should do? About a month later I found myself meeting Morgan at a coffee shop. Morgan drove 2 hours and 45 mins to go on a date; like, wow, that was crazy awesome he was willing to drive all that way! Morgan pulled in before me at the coffee shop and I remember thinking "oh my stars" what am I doing?! I watched him go into the coffee shop first and I sat in my car hyping myself up. I then got the courage to go inside. When I got inside he was gone. I thought "OH no, He got nervous and left!!" Then he came out of the bathroom, and I was like "Oh, that would make sense." We introduced ourselves to each other. I was very nervous!

I was so nervous, in fact, that I had my parents come to the coffee shop and buy coffee, just to check to be sure all was okay. Since he did not know them, they were able to get in, observe him, make hand signals, mouth a few things, and managed to escape without introductions!

I didn't feel weird at all on that first date! I remember ending it thinking, "Wow! I can not believe there really is a guy like Morgan!" He is so handsome, fun, and easy to talk with. We ended our first date with a HUG! I remember feeling safe when he hugged me. That was the first time in a long time I felt safe with anyone. It was obvious that he was very serious about his faith which was just another thing to love about him.

I went home and talked to my parents about this "Morgan guy." The last thing I told my mom was "I am going to marry that guy!" Morgan and I facetimed every night doing devotionals, praying for each other, and just laughing.

After that first date, Morgan showed his determination by becoming a Riverside basketball fan for the entire season, missing perhaps only one game!

When basketball season was complete, I knew he was THE ONE for me and found myself in Dover for the next 3 months, getting to know his beautiful family, seeing his hometown, playing guitar, singing with him, and learning so much about what he does. He is one skilled individual and is making our new house a home at a break-neck speed!

April 1st was the best day of my life, thus far! Morgan asked me to be his wife. I remember jumping up and down with excitement while he was talking but, for some reason kept saying "I am going to throw up," and "Stop!" I was so very nervous! Poor guy; he probably expected nerves, but not that response! Morgan, my parents, and his parents had helped to get this whole thing set up! He took me back to the coffee shop of our first date and we went out to eat. We returned to our house, where our whole sunroom was set up with beautiful signs, candles, and flowers. Music was playing, and I was blindfolded when led into the room, so I knew something was about to happen. It was magical!

I am so blessed that the Lord placed Morgan in my life.

I feel incredibly blessed by Morgan. He is hard-working, handsome, caring, loving, funny, loyal, faithful, Christ-centered, musical, service-oriented, helpful, understanding, patient, fun, soft-spoken, and family-oriented. Morgan makes me feel so loved it is incredible. I am so lucky that I get to marry such an amazing man of Faith.

I cannot wait to call him my husband, my forever love!

I love you, Honey!

Morgan's Story of Us

This is how I fell in love!!

One weekday evening I was sitting on the sofa, bored out of my mind. I had been trying to find a special friend for the past couple months on dating apps, without success.

My first couple attempts come up really short and my desire to stop looking had become more and more real. I felt like nobody was going to be right for me. Since I felt I couldn’t change someone’s mind with my faith and kindness, I didn’t know what would.

However, on this particular evening, I got a "like," on the app and just like the normal routine, I checked out the girl that gave me the "like." She was pretty! I loved her cute glasses and the guitar in her hand! I gave her the like right back! In just a few minutes, I got a message from her! The message read, “Yoder for the win!” -She had the same last name! It was a pretty slick pickup line as it turned out!

She was so incredibly easy to talk to, honest, and really enjoyed getting to know me! I remember feeling really happy. I couldn’t imagine that this cute girl actually wanted to talk to me and ask me questions about my faith!

After many more similar conversations, I really wanted to meet that cute lady! All I could think of was, "What is she like in person??!!" I asked her if I could meet her one Saturday before her basketball practice. She said "Great," and I was super excited. I couldn’t wait for that weekend to come around!

Well Saturday, I hadn’t told any of my family members where I planned on going for the day. To be honest, they kinda figured out where I was pretty easily! I had my road trip playlist ready for the road trip for the 2 1/2 hour drive, to meet her at 8! On my way there I continually tried to calm my nerves before having to introduce myself.

I arrived at the coffee shop, quickly got out of my car, and headed into the coffee shop... right into the restroom! As I stood there looking in the mirror, I was shaking like crazy! “What am I doing!?” I said. As I calmed myself down, I said a quick prayer. She was already sitting so I approached behind her and introduced myself!

WOW!! What a woman!!! We had a great time at the coffee shop. Our conversation revolved around our lives up until that point. I really enjoyed talking about our faith too!! She told me that she was free after basketball practice and asked if I would like to get lunch with her! I was like “ Yeeeeeesss!!” In my head! So I responded with the most expressive answer I could think of,; “Sure!” I said!

After lunch, we decided to try out the bowling lanes! Even though I thought it was a cheesy and stereotypical date idea, we gave it a try. It was a blast!! I had such an exciting time with her. I actually won both games, which I know now is saying a lot!!! She must have been nervous herself.

I summoned up all the courage I had and I gave her a hug goodbye!! What a day!! I was sad to leave, but I knew that I had struck gold so-to-speak!

After repeated daily conversations, I arranged to meet her parents one weekend! I was so excited to meet them. I didn’t know what to expect. Remember when I said I was really nervous meeting this girl at the coffee shop!? Well, I was much more nervous as I pulled into her parents' driveway. I was like “What on earth am I doing here!?”

I would be lying if I said the weekend didn’t fly by! It was such a blessing to meet her family and get to hang out with my "new friend that was a girl!"

We went to one of the basketball games she coached and spent all the time we could together!

We had a blast getting to know each other over the next couple of months! As each month flew by, we grew closer and closer and eventually started getting more and more serious! I remember some firsts: The first time holding hands was after we cut down our first “real” Christmas tree! Our first kiss was on New Year’s Eve!!! Wow!! I was flabbergasted! Fireworks and everything!!!

We started discussing marriage and a life together after just a few months! I wanted to make her mine and just had to find the right time to make it official!! April 1st it was!! After a couple of weeks of planning with her parents, we were able to set up a romantic setting for me to pop the question! SHE SAID YES!!!! Woohoo! I was super duper excited!! She is going to be a Yoder forever!!

I love you, Honey!!

Photos