“Our love story began in 2015 at Winn-Dixie, where we both worked—specifically in the dairy department. Never did we expect that in the aisles of a grocery store, we would find the love of our lives.” At first, our interactions were lighthearted and flirtatious. Alexia often took the long way to the restroom, passing by Claudius’s department just to catch his attention. Eventually, her efforts paid off when he asked for her number. Although we exchanged numbers right away, it wasn’t until some time had passed that we truly began connecting outside of work. In Claudius’s opinion, Alexia was simply playing hard to get. Our first few dates were filled with the vibrant culture of New Orleans, which was especially meaningful for Alexia, considering she was from Atlanta with creole roots from her mother. We enjoyed crawfish and snowball dates by the lake, embracing the local flavor and beautiful scenery of our city. There were also the late-night Bourbon Street festivities and the sweet indulgence of beignet dates. While our love language was clearly food, and we spent many dates dining out, we also discovered other meaningful ways to connect. Some of our date nights were spent at each other’s homes, taking turns hosting and watching the Golden State Warriors basketball games on TV during the playoffs. Even though Alexia didn’t know much about basketball, she loved spending time with Claudius, who eagerly taught her about the players—especially Steph Curry. “Quiet evenings were spent at the movies, where we got to know each other better with every shared laugh, deepening our connection and creating cherished memories —traditions we have continued for the past ten years and still enjoy today.” There were defining moments that cemented our love and future together. For Alexia, it was the day of her high school graduation. Claudius showed up to celebrate and support her, standing proudly beside the rest of her family in the crowd. In that moment, she knew he was the man she would marry. For Claudius, it was during one of the most challenging times of his life, when two of his close family members were in the hospital. Through every step, Alexia was there by his side. Her unwavering support and love gave him strength. That was when he knew she was the woman he would spend forever with. “Nearly two years later, on October 17, 2017, Claudius made his promise a reality by proposing to Alexia on her 21st birthday with a beautiful engagement ring.” From a high school job romance to a decade of love and a now family of four, through all of the highs and lows our journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. We cherish every memory and eagerly look forward to our happily ever after.