The Mennonite Doctrine on Inter-Marriages

Today I got an email from a guy from school asking if Mennonites only date/marry Mennonites. Finding this a strange email question and one that he must have known the answer to, I responded in an informative way (exact copy of my reply):

Funny you should ask, it's a long story if you want to understand the Mennonite position on outside relationships, but basically the answer is:

No, there are some Mennonites who deviate from staying within their cultural/religious affiliation. However, Mennonites are expected to marry and procreate with other Mennonites. Dating and friendships with non-Mennonites has become increasingly more acceptable, but is frowned upon and usually results in disassociation with the church and sometimes the family. Interestingly, Mennonites are expected to be married before the age of 25 or else are expected to have sworn chastity.

There are recently accepted ways which allow a non-Mennonite, both in culture and religious heritage, to convert and therefore make a connection with a Mennonite more appropriate. Why do you ask?

(the age of 25 thing was Mel's input) Oh, and by the way I think the only way to convert to Mennonite's cultural heritage is to consume mass amounts of vareniki, borscht and schmofat, so if the question comes up that will be the response.