Join us in Love!

We officially met at our organization's conference in Pittsburgh. Andrew didn't enjoy socializing at the time, so I invited him to an after-party with the gang after the day's session. When he did not show up, I was intrigued by his introverted demeanor. The next day, we crossed paths and ended up having lunch together. In attempts of flirting, I asked him to open my soda and the tightly sealed chocolate chip cookie included in our lunch box. He was so oblivious to my advances, being hit by train still wouldn't have given him a clue. On my last day in Pittsburgh, I asked a friend of mine to tell him that someone on the trip was interested in him and he had to guess who. The next day, I received a Facebook message from him wishing me luck on my presentation. We began texting for a couple of days and then one day I stopped replying. Anyone who knows me knows I am outspoken and outgoing. I didn't think that this reserved, chill young man could handle my effervescent personality. Boy I was so wrong! Fast foward to a couple of weeks later, I am in my advisor's office chatting with her about the organization's next steps and here comes Mr. Perry, fresh off a long day of work of landscaping. When he did not speak to me or look my way, I was humored. I laughed thinking to myself "Oh wow, he is mad at me." I went home and responded to the initial two-week-old text. As we engaged in small talk, I made a joke that he bought bugs in the office from outside, he responded with a funny but borderline rude text, obviously still upset about me “ghosting” him. At that moment, I knew that he had a personality that was equipped to handle mine. We have been inseparable ever since.

Kia and I have been inseparable ever since our first outing, which was to my grandparent's house for Easter of 2017. I loved how she just seemed to get along with my family. My family that was there seemed to take her right in, and she just seemed to fit. Over the summer of 2017, we both had an internship that separated us for miles, but we maintained contact via phone call and duo (skype). Our talks became deeper about what our interests were and what our near and far goals were. I began to realize that our goals were lining up very nicely, and at this point, I asked her to be mine by the end of the Summer. Over the fall semester, we began planning our first road trip together to Texas, her home state. By the end of this trip, I’m calling my brother Tyler up like “Yo, she’s the one. I want to put a ring on her finger in the right time." Fast forward to November of 2019; I am talking with my dad about what ring I should get. We do little shopping and find something she would love! A few weeks later, I plan a trip to see her mother and ask for her permission to marry her daughter. The timing to see her mother had to be just right because we know each other's routine and a 2 hr drive on a Saturday was not normal for me. I reached out to Kay to see where their mother was because I did not want her to know what I was up to. So it was clear, Tyler and I drove to Baxley and got the approval. Now I was able to put the plan in motion. I knew Kia had been wanting to take holiday pictures so I made it happen, what she didn't know was the surprise I had in mind. Pictures went as normal, and towards the end, I orchestrated with my father and mother to bring me the ring & flowers. They were parked at a nearby location along with a handful of other family members so that Kia was not alarmed. As we were finishing, 15 family members walked up and Kia was in aww! I made a speech about our background and then got on one knee. From that day forward, my life has changed for the best!