As Shantae was ending her frustrating journey with online dating, Maurice was still fairly new and optimistic with his. As fate would have it, as Shantae was reading the last DM she had received before she were to delete her account she read a quick witted message from Maurice asking “We’re headed on a road trip, what song are you playing to get us started?”(They met on the Christian Dating App “Upward” From there a very natural conversation began that never felt like the typical online dating interviews that often happened. A couple of weeks later on July 4th, 2022, they had their first impromptu hangout/date. Maurice had some unofficial plans for the 4th of July holiday with some friends but was wavering on attending. While Shantae was fairly new to her neighborhood and debating attending a neighborhood pool party and later watching the fireworks at the baseball field across the street from her balcony later that evening. After another good conversation on the phone and not wanting it to end they decided that Maurice would drive down to Fredericksburg, Va from Maryland and meet at Shantae’s place. They decided to walk to a nearby Italian restaurant for dinner. On the walk Maurice was very charming with his chivalrous ways of opening doors, walking on the outside of the sidewalk and even putting himself between dogs and Shantae as they passed by. They laughed and joked throughout the evening and enjoyed the explosive sparks of not just the fireworks across the street but also of the chemistry on that balcony between them two! The number one belief they bonded over was both of their love for Jesus. How although individually they both had been through some trials; they both had decided to no longer do things their way but to do them God’s way. With their love for God and a growing love for one another the last two years have been some of the best times of their lives - times filled with numerous dinners at their shared loved for Mexican cuisine restaurants, exploring the DMV area, board games, embracing new relationships with one another’s friends and families, worshipping God and finding a new church together, and even Maurice welcoming Shantae into the world of anime! Alongside another Maurice and Shantae have blossomed not only individually but also as a couple and are now ready to become Husband and Wife to each other. They have been so blessed to be encouraged and surrounded by friends and family and now can wait to celebrate with them on their Union on December 19th, 2025!