Lauren and Morgan met through the novel means of a dating app! Specifically, they met on CatholicMatch. Neither of them wanted to engage in dating apps, both hearing and experiencing less than ideal situations when using this technology. However, thank God (meant quite literally) they took a leap of faith and utilized this method. (Little did they know Mr. and Mrs. Bochonok had also been behind the scenes praying a devotion to our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary to bring Lauren to her future husband). Who knew good things could come from an iPhone? Upon matching with each other, both Lauren and Morgan felt something different. The text message novellas were engaging and thrilling, but each was a bit afraid to meet up with a stranger who might disappoint. Lauren took the forward (and much appreciated) approach of giving Morgan her cell phone number so that they could transition off of CatholicMatch. After a lovely Facetime, they agreed to meet up for a date. At the time they met Morgan was at home visiting his parents in North Carolina (NC) for Thanksgiving, and Lauren was in Virginia (VA) doing the same. The day after the holiday, Morgan remembers feeling a sense of urgency to get back to VA as early as possible to meet Lauren. See there was one big problem, Morgan lived in Arlington, VA and Lauren lived in Durham, NC. Lauren came home for the weekend and stayed with her parents so they decided to meet at Stafford, VA's finest - Zibibbo 73. Lauren and Morgan shared a delightful dinner and both remember thinking, quite literally, this could be the person that God intended for me. So, Morgan extended the evening by requesting Lauren's presence at the local watering hole, Paddy's Public House, to watch college football and enjoy a brew. Finally, the night had to end so Morgan asked Lauren if she would accompany him to Mass the next morning to St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church and then to brunch afterwards. She said yes! Morgan's suspicion that Lauren would one day be his wife was confirmed when she beat him to church that next day and he saw her praying the rosary before mass. That morning went flawlessly. Now the question was, how does this continue? Lauren had mentioned a DC Brett Eldredge Christmas concert the next week, and Morgan (knowing when to make good on an opportunity) asked if he could take her. Again, she said yes! Suffice to say the two continued their dating relationship and enjoyed every moment, even the long distance ones. For a period of 6 months the two saw each other on a weekly basis, coordinating trips back and forth between NC and VA. It didn't take long to decide that they needed to live in the same area to truly discern marriage. And again, guided by the Lord, they found a way to achieve that goal. The two worked together to look at opportunities to get closer, and one day Morgan (out of sheer divine providence) discovered a job opportunity for Lauren with the parent company of her employer - which, oh by the way, was in the DC-Metro Area. Lauren jumped on the opportunity and (no surprise) impressed the interviewing panel. Lauren got the job, again saying yes!....and the rest is history. You may have noticed a trend here, the couple saying yes (in a sense to each other, but more so to God). Lauren and Morgan are so excited to get married and attribute their happiness and the very existence of this relationship to God himself!

It wasn't more than a couple months into dating that Morgan started saving up for a ring. Morgan hadn't necessarily been "Johnny-on-the-spot" his whole life with regard to savings, but he remembers this savings goal being one of the easiest of his life....guess when you know, well you know. But there was work to be done, especially considering Lauren had given very specific details on the ring she wanted: "(1) not gaudy; (2) not high (taken to mean not too high off the finger); and (3) I'll be happy with anything you give me; and (4) ask my sister". And he had to have a very important conversation with Mr. Jeff Bochonok before any of this was even relevant. Morgan remembers driving one afternoon (before an opportunity was discovered for Lauren to move to Virginia) and making a phone call to his best-man Kyle Wolfe, followed by one to his sister. In both calls he exclaimed "well I just decided I'm going to marry Lauren and I'm not going to wait anymore to buy this ring". He knew he had to have a conversation with Mr. Bochonok at that point, so that he could collaborate with Brooke (Lauren's sister) to figure out how he was going to design the perfect ring for Lauren. Morgan took off work and arranged to speak with Mr. B and (assuming a successful conversation) enjoy a round of golf....because why not? Morgan rehearsed for days what he would say, but remembers experiencing pure peace and confidence in asking for Lauren's hand. He delivered, and was able to articulate his love, steadfastness, and "no-quit" policy for Lauren to Mr. Bochonok. He gave a "yes without any reservation" and it was on....like Donkey Kong! Golf was pretty amazing too! Funny what a jolt of excitement can do for a handicap. Morgan worked and worked to find the perfect way to make his ring acquisition; conveniently he was helped out by a co-worker who had a family jeweler. Brooke, Mrs. Bochonok, and Mrs. Wood played central roles in helping Morgan figure out what the perfect ring for Lauren would resemble. And after looking at a couple of diamonds, he knew he had the one, and put all of those hard earned savings into buying it. When the ring was finished it was perfect. Now he just had to figure out the right time to propose! Morgan had reserved a beach vacation in the Outer Banks of North Carolina for early September for Lauren's birthday. His best thinking said that the beach is Lauren’s favorite place to go so it will be a great place to pop the question. How can someone say no at the beach? After consulting with Mr. Bochonok on the perfect place to propose, he decided to ask Lauren outside of a defining landmark - the lifeguard house. Lauren had spent a summer working for the Kill Devil Hills Ocean Rescue in the Outer Banks during college and had fond memories of getting “stand assignments” each morning at this particular place. Morgan coordinated for the couple to eat at Lauren's favorite restaurant (Tale of the Whale) after the proposal and, as a surprise, to be joined by her parents at this local “hot spot”. The proposal date came and oddly enough, Morgan again felt complete peace and little to no nerves. He asked Lauren to go for a walk on the beach upon arriving in the Outer Banks; and, after crafting words of affection and commitment, he proposed to Lauren in front of the lifeguard house. The two enjoyed this beautiful and intimate moment and then were greeted by the Bochonoks shortly thereafter at the restaurant. ` The next week was also pure bliss as they were able to spend a prolonged stay in the Outer Banks with the Wood's and Kramer's (Ben and Abbi Kramer - Brother-in-Law and sister to Morgan). You're probably catching on to a theme again. Peace. Lauren and Morgan have experienced peace throughout their whole dating experience; and Morgan remembers receiving peace at every moment throughout his pursuit to find a ring and coordinate the proposal. Another aspect the couple attributes to their faith and God.