Meet the Basket Wives: Morgan Gomez

Today I am excited to introduce you to Morgan Gomez. Morgan’s husband played with my friend Cara’s husband Tyler, which is (I believe) how Morgan came to be a reader of my blog. Morgan has been reading and commenting on my blog for about 3 years now. And anyone who can stick with me for that long is quite a gift to me!

Not only is Morgan a sweet and supportive wife, but she also runs their family business, Tumbleville Express. Morgan is an intelligent and accomplished woman who continues to support her husband and family around the globe. She has been an inspiration to me and I hope that she will encourage your heart today as well.

How did you and your husband meet?
We both went to school at The University of Arkansas. My junior year I walked into the cafeteria and immediately felt someone’s eyes on me. Those of you who have lived in Latin countries know the eyes I am talking about! This big guy would not quit staring at me. Then he came over to where I was sitting, and without say “hi”, he just sat down and scooted me off the booth. He began laughing and introduced himself. I had a difficult time understanding him in the beginning, because his accent was very strong. I believe I asked him his name at least four times. We had fun talking and before I knew it, he had to leave to go to class and I was going to walk home. His version of the story is that I followed him to class. My version is that I took a different route home that day. Anyway, when he noticed I was walking behind him he turned around to walk with me. We exchanged phone numbers, because he told me he needed help with his studies. I believed him and decided to tutor him. The tutoring did not last long because I realized he was faking it (the needing help with his studies). He was actually exceptionally intelligent. That was the beginning of our dating, and five years later we got married.

Where was the first place you lived internationally? Can you tell a little more about the experience?
The first international city we lived in together was Gualeguaychu, Argentina. The city was not great, but it was only two hours from Buenos Aires and it was a basketball town. The games were a huge deal and most of the people living in Gualeguaychu were big basketball fans and attended all the games. The gym was not too large, so the atmosphere was great. Our apartment had a bed, TV, and kitchen table. This was also the city in which I met my first basket wife, Cara Smith. She was newly married and a few years later we became pregnant at the same time. Her husband, Tyler, is a great friend, and has helped Nichy with job opportunities in basketball. He is the main reason Nichy was able to play in Japan this season. Nichy is hoping Tyler and he can play for the same team again at some point in the future!

How many years has/did your husband play(ed)?
Nichy is beginning his ninth season playing professional basketball. He has been blessed, and God willing, he hopes to play a few more years.

What cities have you lived in internationally?
We have lived in Argentina: Gualeguaychu, Sunchales, Corrientes, Bahia Blanca and Santiago Del Estero.
Spain: Barcelona, and Sevilla.
Japan: Shiga

If you had to pick a favorite international city, which one was it and why?
My favorite city is Santiago Del Estero. We were there for two years and Nichy and I were close with many families. Everyone on the team was married with children, and we also made friends with other families outside of basketball. Gabriela, our daughter, began preschool there and had many friends. Nichy was playing for Quimsa, and they won the South American tournament. The second year there, the team pretty much stayed the same. It was fun watching other wives become pregnant, have their babies, celebrate birthdays with all the children. All of my friends outside of basketball had children as well, and we were able to have lots of “play dates”. Each Sunday we went to our friends’ houses for Asado. It was truly a family atmosphere. We all became very close and our friendships will remain forever. Santiago Del Estero is not a glamorous town, but the people make it a great place to live and raise a family. The week before we left, I teared up many times just thinking about leaving all our wonderful friends. We will always cherish our friends there and hold all the wonderful memories dear to our hearts.

Please share one funny moment in your life as a Basket Wife.
I have had many funny moments as a basketball wife. However, I always laugh thinking about traveling back to the U.S. from Seville, Spain. I was seven and one-half months pregnant with our daughter, Gabriela. I was going back home because it was getting close to her delivery date, and we wanted her to be born in U.S.. My flight was early; I was tired and emotional because I was leaving Nichy. When I was telling him good-bye, I began to cry. I have said many good-byes to Nichy over the years and had never cried. This wasn’t just a normal cry. It was a hysterical cry, and I just could not stop crying. I was the last one to board the plane. Just picture this huge pregnant lady boarding the plane, sobbing like there is no tomorrow. I was crying so hard I could not catch my breath, and everyone was staring at me while I was trying to find my seat and sit down. There was a bag in the isle, and someone was right behind me. While I was trying to get past the bag, I tripped and almost fell! Now people are really staring at me. As you can imagine I was terribly embarrassed. By the time I arrived in Madrid, I had calmed down. I decided to eat breakfast while waiting for my connection. I was so engrossed in my meal that I did not hear the call for boarding the flight until the last call. I had to run to the correct terminal. When I finally arrived, out of breath and flustered, the attendant asked for my name. For some reason, I began crying all over again! She was surprised by the way I was acting and tried to talk me out of traveling. I was actually supposed to leave for home two weeks earlier on the advice of my doctor. So here I am sobbing again while boarding the plane. There were a few people on the plane from my first flight, so I can only imagine what they were thinking about me. The attendant was so kind to me, which made me feel better. She even brought me an ice cream sundae which is a pregnant girl’s best friend. I felt much better after that and it was smooth flying after that.

What is the toughest struggle you have encountered in your life as a Basket Wife?
Change has been the biggest struggle for me as a basketball wife. For some reason, it is always difficult to leave the U.S. after our summer break. Trying to get a routine established in a new country is a challenge for me. Normally, about two weeks before it is time to leave the U.S. I quit working out, begin eating anything I want, and just get completely off my daily schedule. When I get to our new “basketball” home, it takes another couple of weeks to get settled and find a good routine.

What is the greatest lesson you have learned as a Basket Wife?
The main lesson I have learned is to be patient and trust God. There have been times when I wished for different offers and times when we have passed on offers that I wished we had taken. Fortunately, each season has worked out for the best. Another extremely important lesson I have learned is to slow down and enjoy life. In the U.S. we tend to get busy and rush around. When we are out of the country we take daily walks, listen to music, play games, and really enjoy each other. It is a plus that we get to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner together. My goal is to continue these things when we live in the The States full time.