Congratulations

Everybody instinctively wants love, but so many people break up. Is it because they learn relationship information from songs, movies, and reality TV? Needless to say, Western traditions have distorted our traditional culture of honoring soulmating, finding love, and developing as a person before developing as a unified pair. During our 6 year courtship, we have brought into the future with us, what our ancestors have done for tens of thousands of years to ensure continued success, not leaving it up to chance. In the Akan community of West African traditions, each man and woman has the purpose to pass on lessons learned from the past. This is known as the symbolic concept and language we call Sankofa, represented by the Asante adinkra symbol of a bird turning its neck and getting an egg off its back. These lessons directly contribute to our personal and marital endeavors, to bring the solutions learned from our elders and ancestors, and develop a shared vision for our future - love, at first sight.

Many couples meet for the first time, fall in love, then get to know each other. Thanks to dating app technology, our cultural connection, and that Westcoast glow, there was no surprise when we got to know each other first, then fell in love. Young. Gifted. Black Love.

The last 6 years was a glimpse of the future. 6 years of growing as man and woman, learning about ourselves and each other. At every stage of our personal development has brought new challenges, pleasures, strengths, weaknesses, understanding, focus, and courage. After 6 years, as 2 best friends who share desires, fears, and taste in food and music, the promise to one another to build the legacy that will honor the work our parents gave, and the lessons our elders left. 6 years of giving space, and knowing when to vacate doesn't magically happen. Neither does 6 years of unconditional support, and shoulder-to-shoulder suffering, to never shake a head or point a finger, but to rub a back showing you're not alone. 2 great people, one powerful team.