Tyreke & Eliza Johnson
Bride
Eliza Renata Mckellar, 31
Groom
Tyreke Lamar Johnson, 25
Parents of the Bride
Katrina Anderson and Alexander Mckellar
Parents of the Groom
Barbara and Alfred Johnson
Hometown of the Bride
Latta, SC
Hometown of the Groom
Forest City, NC
Wedding Date
8/14/2010
Wedding Location
Colonel Francis Beatty Park – Lake Pointe, Matthews, NC
Occupation of the Bride
Loan Servicing Specialist
Occupation of the Groom
Direct Care Staff Specialist
Alma Mater of the Bride
Strayer University
Alma Mater of the Groom
Phoenix University
How they met:
”Tyreke joined our church, Rhema Family Worship Center, about three years ago,” recalls Eliza. ”I would see him in passing and wonder why he would leave right after every service. Normally, everyone likes to stay around and talk in the parking lot or in the sanctuary. Not Tyreke! He would say bye in passing and hit the road."One Sunday I asked my singles leader, “Who is that guy?” She told me she did not know; maybe he was a new member. I left it at that."Our singles ministry had a Valentine's Day get-together at my friend’s home. I brought a co-worker with me who happened to be a guy. Some folks, including Tyreke, assumed that we were a couple."After the get-together, Tyreke and I stayed behind to help clean up. I asked him if he wanted me to fix him a plate and he said “yes.” We all left and I did not think anything more of it."Then at one of our praise and worship rehearsals, we were talking about relationships when my godfather, Bishop Sellers, said Tyreke would make someone a great husband one day. He told me he had called Tyreke and asked him about me!"One Sunday after talking with Tyreke in the parking lot, he walked me to my car and asked me for the recipe to the broccoli and chicken casserole I had let him taste. When I said sure, he blurted out, “Call me.” I told him I did not have his number and he said, "Get it from Kim," my roommate who worked with him in the youth ministry. I paused, smiled at him, and said to myself: “Yeah, right. I'm not calling you. You will either ask for my number or get it from someone who has it!” I got into my car and drove away.During a later church trip to Mississippi, my phone rang. It was Tyreke. He said he had gotten my number from Kim and asked if it was ok if he called me. I said “yes,” and the rest is history!!!"
The Proposal:
"On August 14, 2009, we went to Myrtle Beach, SC, to attend a family reunion. Tyreke was working a second job and did not get off until 11 p.m., so we did not leave until midnight. He had already asked me to walk along the shore with him when we got there. I was thinking to myself, "If I'm not too sleepy." Well, needless to say we both were tired and we checked in to our rooms and went to bed."The next morning he came to my room and asked if I wanted to get breakfast. I said “yes” and got dressed."As we were riding down Ocean Boulevard he asked if I wanted to go fishing. I said “Ok, but what about breakfast?” He said he wanted to see how much it cost to go fishing on the pier first."We drove until we saw the entry to the pier that takes you out to the ocean. After checking out the cost and deciding against it, he suggested walking out on the pier. By then I was a little suspicious but feeling all mushy inside because we had finally made it to the ocean."As we stood on the pier, he held me from behind and said," You know I love you with all my heart, and I want you to be a part of my life, right?" I replied “yes.” He asked me to turn around, and he kissed me, then gently pulled away and knelt down on one knee. I asked "What are you doing?” He opened a cherry wood-colored box and asked me to be his wife. I was so shocked and filled with joy that I almost did not answer him. But needless to say, I did say yes!"We announced our engagement at the family reunion cookout that afternoon and it was the talk of the whole trip. Everyone kept telling us that this family reunion would always be a memorable one!! We looked at each other and said, “Yes, it will!” I still can't stop staring at my ring!!!
The Wedding:
"We had a morning ceremony and breakfast reception. It was a lovely ceremony held outside at the beautiful wedding site facing the Lake."We had a wonderful saxophonist and pianist playing in the back ground. We did a salt covenant unity ceremony along with communion. There was not a dry eye in the audience."The reception was held in the Lake Point Hall Banquet room. It was a romantic August morning that will forever be impressed in our memory."
The Honeymoon:
"We had a relaxing honeymoon in Hilton Head Island. We enjoyed bike riding, kayaking, lounging and walking along the beach.
Advice to Others:
"Keep God first and foremost in your relationship. Remember your commitment to each other in good times and in the bad. Always communicate with each other. See each other through God’s eyes and you will always show each other grace so that love will continue to abound in your hearts for each other."