We're getting married!

It was the first day of school at Knightdale High and we knew many changes were coming with a new Administration Team, but there was one change that happened that I absolutely did not expect. In the auditorium being addressed by our new Admin, there was this one black guy who "read" all of us teachers our "rights"! He barked order after order at us; I guess he felt like he needed to be the "tough guy" to whip us unruly teachers into shape. 🤣 I knew from that moment I absolutely was not going to like this new Administrator at all. After the meeting in the lobby, the same "barking administrator" came over to me after noticing my Tupac shirt. He questioned me and I quickly responded and continued on with my doings. (His barking was enough for me to know to stay clear of his path.) As the students returned and the year progressed I started noticing this same administrator coming to my lunch duty for small talk, questioning me about being a Delta and attending NCCU. We engaged in conversation and the guy who was barking orders on Day 1, I soon realized wasn't too bad as we reminisced on our HBCU college days. The small talk continued and led to us connecting at the ECSU and NCCU football game. We talked for a minute (let him tell this story and he will include "my hatin' daughter🤣), but I knew to not give him too much of my time as we worked together and I wasn't about to be catching feelings for my colleague. Somehow conversations at school continued and we ended up exchanging numbers (he asked and I obliged writing on a sticky note). We had/have the same taste in music and we met up at the Meg the Stallion, (thanks Josh for the videos😉) Meek Mil & Future concert. He couldn't wait for me to get there as I could tell when he hit up my phone multiple times, b/c my other co-worker made us late. When I arrived he came over and met us at the bar, but didn't buy me a drink and our mutual colleague friend definitely spoke her mind about it. He and his friend hung out with us that night and as we were leaving I decided to put my arm in his (bold, I know) to see how he would react & if he was interested in me as more than a cool colleague as a few people had suggested. He linked back & escorted me to the car. We would talk quite frequently at work and I found myself being on his teams at work and having duties where we would encounter each other or stopping by his office to engage in banter. At times I honestly wanted to quit and he was a light and listening ear that I could talk to and he kept is honest with me. The pandemic hit and schools closed as we knew it. I would do a collegial check-in via text or drop into his office hours and one day he had the audacity to act like he was not excited to see me and our colleague. Last time I would reach out, because Lisa did not play that. Suddenly, he started reaching out to me. Small talk of course. He then decided to invite me to a Memorial Day Cookout, but with the newfound Covid I was extremely hesitant. He assured me it was going to be a "small and safe" environment, so I obliged. To my surprise it was me, him, and his Best Man. I was nervous, but a voice kept speaking to move forward beyond my own fears. I enjoyed my time at the cookout and he was such a gentleman. He even made sure I had my request of grilled steaks. (#Winner) We talked when I got home that night and planned for a movie night the next where he had provided me concessions (this man baked cookies), because of course the movies was closed due to the pandemic. We watched John Wick 1 (which I had never seen), John Wick 2 and 3. He was a gentleman and I had to reach in for a hug when leaving for the night. I enjoyed his company and he enjoyed mine. Let's just say we have been writing our story together ever since May 24, 2020 and on February 24, 2023 we will begin a new chapter. Stay tuned...

In 2019 I was the new AP at Knightdale High School. I was charged with providing the staff with the rules and expectations slides for the first staff meeting of the 2019-20 academic year. As the meeting concluded, I knew some staff members were rubbed the wrong way, especially this one teacher wearing a Tupac shirt. I attempted to make small talk acknowledging her shirt and was greeted with a “yep” and few giggles. It was at that time I knew, I was officially in! From that moment on, I made multiple attempts to talk to Ms. Credle. After much consistency during lunch duties, tardy station duties, and running into her in the hallways, Alisia finally started coming around. I admit, I had to revisit the opportunity to pursue her as I knew that I was dealing with a woman that was not going to accept anything but the best from me, and for herself. The pandemic and working from home was one of the best things for our relationship because it allowed us the chance to really get to know each other. We spent countless hours on the phone getting to know each other and genuinely fall in love with each other. We played games, we watched movies, and we even went on dates. I appreciate the years we’ve spent together and the moments we’ve shared with friends and family, especially our children. Over the past 2 years I have developed the strongest relationship with my best friend, and she has been there through thick and thin. I love her and I can’t wait to spend a couple of forevers with her!! P.S. The NCCU homecoming story is very accurate, but Alisia fails to admit it because she was having too much fun to remember. 😂

It was Josh’s and Alisia’s second day in Playa Del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico. They were headed to dinner when they were stopped by a photographer who was employed by the resort they were staying. As the photographer took shots and posed the couple, Alisia who had her hand on Josh's chest felt his heart beating fast and asked if he was okay, knowing the people in the resort were watching the photo shoot as they walked by and Josh doesn't love a lot of attention (well at least from outsiders😉). He took a series of pictures and Alisia was afraid she and Josh were going to be late for their dinner reservation, but Josh told her “nah we have time…”. (Alisia knowing Josh and his need to be on time should of immediately known something was up as this was out of character for him.) The photographer asked Alisia and Josh to walk towards the greenery area. They took a few photos sitting down in front of the greenery and Alisia was thinking about how they were going to miss their reservation at the Brazilian Steakhouse. That’s when Josh developed his plan. Josh had the ring in his pocket and he asked the photographer could he take one last pose. Alisia turned away to find a new photo spot and Josh then positioned himself and got down on one knee in the middle of the hotel lobby while the photographer captured the moment with his camera. Alisia was shocked and stunned by the unexpected momment, but of course said "yes"! They were officially on the road to be #Malloryeverafter. Forever and always their proposal night, just like Josh, will be a #kNightToRemember. ❤️💍👰🏾🤵🏿