Alex and I were introduced by mutual friends. She first texted me while I was competing at a track meet in Alabama. The conversation was smooth and effortless. We communicated via text and phone calls for roughly a week. We finally met in person on 01.10.2014. Although we meshed well, I wanted to ease into a new relationship (Alex will say that I didn’t want her). After roughly a year and a half of being friends, I decided to ask Alex to be my girlfriend. It was the night of 05.01.2015, and I was preparing for my last collegiate track meet. I remember asking while sitting in the stairwell of the hotel. She quickly said no because “things don’t move on my time”. Although my pride took a hit, I decided to patiently wait for her. On 06.29.2015, more than a month later, we decided to make it official. Zay and I met through mutual friends, Corey and Taty. We exchanged numbers and started texting/talking. We met in person on 01.10.2014, nearly a week after we started communicating. I will forever say that Zay did not want me at first. We spent a year and a half getting to know one another as friends. He asked me to be his girlfriend in 05.2015, but I respectfully declined (we couldn’t move strictly on his time). We decided to make it official the day after my 21st birthday. Since then, we have experienced several firsts, significant achievements, and memorable events together. I always find it funny that I did not know him prior to that Friday in January. He lives 4 houses down from my grandma and was classmates with my cousin Ashanti in elementary school. God’s timing is greater! So grateful that we crossed paths when we did. 7 years later and confident we will be best friends and partners forever! We got engaged on 08.15.2020. The proposal took place at the Thomasville Rose Garden, where we were joined by our loved ones in person and via Zoom. We are excited to begin this next chapter of our life together, starting with our Union before God and you all on 04.02.2022!