**Our Love Story** Akia: We first crossed paths in high school our freshman year, Frederick Douglass to be exact. My first impression of him was how funny and charismatic he was. Josh would dance through the school hallways, drawing a crowd everywhere he went, especially when he was doing the famous "Yeet dance". His energy was contagious and it was impossible not to notice him. Josh: I remember walking through the hallways hoping to catch a glimpse of this beautiful girl. Lucky for me, we shared one class together -8th period. I admired Akia for how intelligent and punctual she was. Everything seemed to come so effortlessly to her. She carried herself with confidence, grace and purpose. I found myself drawn to her more and more each day. We've been smitten ever since. Over the years, we shared countless adventures through high school, college, and our travels together. We've built a beautiful family and created a life filled with love and laughter. Our son has brought even more joy into our lives, uniting our families has created bonds that we will always treasure The moment he proposed—during Christmas pictures with our little one—felt like the perfect beginning to the next chapter of our story. What makes our love so special is how we show up for each other and for those we care about. His love is steadfast and unwavering, and her nurturing heart and quiet brilliance make every day brighter. Together, we are ready to continue this beautiful journey, hand in hand, heart to heart.