It was all a set up. Ben Reber slowly but surely convinced the two that they had to meet. Nathan was in the academy and Morgan was getting her doctorate, so the schedules were busy. Morgan (reluctantly) agreed with Ben to meet his friend for a quick coffee date. Nathan suggested DI Coffee Bar at 4:00pm on a Saturday. Ben worked his magic to ensure they both actually showed up. The two met in the middle of the shop, ordered coffee, and talked for 4 hours without a missed beat. As 8:00pm rolled around, Nathan was getting hungry but didn’t want the date to end. He suggested dinner, and Morgan agreed. Ben was thrilled to get this update. Nathan took Morgan to a small sandwich shop to get grilled cheese and tomato soup, and they talked for another 2 hours. The two introverts knew that something special was going on, so Nathan asked for Morgan’s number that night. He’s texted her “Good morning!” every single day following that date.

Since they met, Nathan and Morgan enjoyed talking every day about their careers, hobbies, families, and the Lord. They started going to church together and discovering what was important to each other very quickly. They began listening to each other's music and watching each other's favorite movies. Nathan was teaching Morgan how to play chess, and Morgan was teaching Nathan different Latin dances. After one of their lessons, they sat to watch Fantastic Mr. Fox, a Wes Anderson film they both enjoyed. During the movie, Nathan kissed Morgan and told her how he felt about her. He confessed his desire to be intentional and make it official. Morgan kissed him back and agreed that an intentional relationship was slowly forming. They became a couple that day and have seen God slowly weave their lives together since then.

Nathan graduated from the academy, and Morgan got her doctorate. They started meeting each other's friends and families - Nathan met 24 of Morgan's family members at their first Thanksgiving together. Nathan started working night shift, but they still couldn't help but spend all their free time with each other. They went to Bible study, hockey games, rollerblading and running together, watched many sunsets, went Latin dancing, and shared countless boxes of Crumbl Cookies. They saw beautiful New Hampshire mountains and went to Nathan's family Camp in the summertime. They prayed together, cried together, went through grief, heartache, pain, and challenges. But they always pointed each other back to the Lord and His promises. They celebrated, laughed, and saw the goodness of God in every moment. Their connection was undeniable. It was only a matter of time before they got hitched, and everyone knew it!

Nathan and Morgan prayed for a long time and did their best to make sure their relationship was reflective of the Lord’s plan and timing for them and not their own. When a family member throws a jewelry catalogue at you during a holiday get together, it’s time to take the hint (thanks Mantha!). With the blessing of Morgan’s parents and help from Pinterest and Morgan’s matron of honor, Alexis Rodriguez, Nathan found a ring that seemed perfect. A date was set, brunch plans were arranged, and they dressed up without raising too much suspicion. After brunch and a morning full of rain, they made it to the place where it all started, DI Coffee Bar. As they arrived, the rain disappeared and sun started shining. The two ordered coffee and made their way to the back of the shop. Naturally on a Saturday morning the shop was full of patrons. The atmosphere didn’t seem quite right. A game time decision was made, and Nathan directed Morgan outside to the back patio that was empty, except for one customer. It was quiet, the sun was shining, and the moment was finally right. Morgan asked “what are you doing?” as Nathan got down on one knee. In the shop where Morgan and Nathan met as strangers, he asked her to be his wife. The instant flow of happy tears on Morgan’s face, relief on Nathan’s face, and candid embraces were all captured by Nathan’s best friend, Alexandra Gonzalez. The lone customer applauded and insisted we invite her to the wedding. Months of planning had paid off! Happily ever after was beginning slowly yet all at once.