Ephesians 5:28-31

In 2015, I worked at TD Bank as a Teller. I became friends with one of my coworkers named Matthew Cordova. We hit it off right away and became close to the point that we both looked at each other as brother and sister. Matthew had attended Brazilian Jiujitsu classes in a Martial Arts gym called Brooklyn Martial Arts. I had always wanted to learn how to defend myself and he had suggested taking a class. In the beginning, I was fine with him teaching me moves here and there at the branch, but then it came to a point where he had just invited me to attend one day after work, and I agreed. We arrived at the gym and I was lost but was glad that Matthew was there to explain the way things ran around there. I didn't notice Kadeem until after class was over and Matthew had introduced me to him. I had no idea Matthew and Kadeem were good friends and so talking to Kadeem came easy. I didn't pay much mind to him for weeks until I started to attend the gym on my own and from then on out we started to talk about BJJ and it progressed into flirting. I had no intention of dating someone from the gym, but I am glad the person I decided to date is now my fiance.

Kadeem had set up a date for November 9th,2019. I love surprises and because of his overtime, we never had much time for dates anymore. However, this day he made sure to set one. I didn't think much of it, but I thought it was a romantic surprise that he had planned a night to go out just the two of us. A few days before, my uncle had asked us to come later on and help set up his Christmas tree, so from the start, I knew that after the date we would be with the family. We first had to go to Church practice and then my cousin and her boyfriend took us to the restaurant. I was unaware that the restaurant itself was another surprise. We arrived at The Waterfront where we were able to see the Brooklyn Bridge, the stars, and a beautiful Clock that was set up in the back. Kadeem had a reserved window seat. We had a romantic dinner and the food was delicious! I noticed he was nervous, he kept leaning forward in his seat which gave me a clue to whether or not it was going to happen, but I continued to tell myself that it wasn't. Next, we finished dinner and were allowed to go outside and look at the view. We went around for a while and we stopped and faced towards the Brooklyn Bridge. Kadeem looked at me and told me "I love you so much, I know God is the reason we are together, and I only want to spend my life with you, and with that being said..." at this moment I started to panic, he got down on his right knee and asked me "Will you marry me?" I said, "Of Course!". We hugged and kissed each other and I began to cry. Lastly, there was a seating area outside and I asked if we could sit and pray. As I was leading the prayer all I could do was thank the Lord for my now Fiance Kadeem. I couldn't believe that this had happened and that the Lord had answered a prayer that I never thought would come true. We praised and glorified our God and after that moment I assumed the night was over, but little did I know the surprise wasn't over just yet.

As we finished praying I wanted to hurry and go see my family and tell them the news. However, Kadeem kept on suggesting that we'd stay a bit longer and just enjoyed being alone. I thought it was sweet, but odd, because it was cold outside. Anyways, we agreed to walk the path and once we came back to the front of the restaurant he agreed to call an Uber and head to my uncles which was only about 10-15 minutes away. As we're waiting for our Uber to arrive, Kadeem and I still couldn't believe this had just happened. I was so excited to see my family and tell them what had just happened. We finally got into the Uber and Kadeem received a text from Lynda that said the door had been left open for us to come into the house. I didn't think much of it, because they have always had an issue with their doorbell. Nonetheless, we arrived at the house and started to head to the second floor and as I saw my cousin-in-law Mathew sit on the couch I thought nothing was happening until I entered the room and both my cousins and sisters jumped out and said "Congratulations!". I couldn't believe it! I became emotional and my aunt had set up the fireplace with pictures of Kadeem and me from different points in our 4-year relationship. She set up a coffee station, and my mother had gotten my favorite cake that had Congratulations written on it. I was filled with joy. I loved how small and intimate it was and the fact that this is a memory we all will remember without any videos or cameras. I am so glad God has blessed me with a man like Kadeem and I am so glad that he listened to my sisters and cousin about how to make that day a special one(no matter how stubborn he was in the beginning, sorry girls)! Thank you to my family who was there and not there, you all mean so much to us and can't wait for us all to celebrate together!