Julie (Smith) `96 and Paul Yancheck `96
Paul and I met our very first day at Malone in our
orientation class! We went to Camp Gideon to do team building with a challenge
course. Paul had to get me over an at least 10 ft wall. I had added to the
challenge by having stitches in my heel from an injury. Paul just pulled me up
by my arms. I thought this guy is so strong, but he's going to pull my arms out
of their sockets! I saw that he had a hat on with my high school colors and
mascot. I was naive in thinking there could not be other schools the same, so I
asked where he got his hat. To which he replies, "From my high
school," in a deep brute sounding voice. I was intimidated. I found out
later, he was nervous. Later when it was time to get on the bus to go back to
campus, there was one seat open, the one next to Paul. I was so nervous and
thinking he did not want anything to do with me. We sat together and an amazing
friendship began. One that helped me through a break up. Little did I know that
he had already told his parents he met
the woman he was going to marry. Little did I know that God was preparing me
heart for the one He chose for me. We began dating freshman year. We have such
fond memories of our time at Malone where we were resident assistants, worked
on campus in the admissions office, library and cafeteria, spent time at
Froggy's in the Barn, Thursday night worship gatherings, Paul played in the jazz
band and I went on a missions trip to Jamaica with Habitat for Humanity and a
leadership program in Ocean City, NJ, and we did the jello slide and the banana
split eating contest to name a few!! We got engaged before our senior year and
were married the fall after we graduated! Phil Howard, the campus chaplain
performed our wedding ceremony! It's been 25 years of a truly blessed
marriage!! We have 2 amazing children, Aaron and Kaylee. We are so thankful for
Malone being a part of God bringing us together!!
