We painted the map of our future with the hues of August, accented by fall leaves peeking from trees. August 8, 2026, was meant to be our wedding day—a date etched in the spirited colors of our dreams. In the finger painting of our shared vision, we prepared for the struggle to protect our love, safeguard our freedom, and love as beautifully as flowers reaching for rain. We knew election results might cast shadows against our light--not snatch our light--but be shadows against it, and we understood that our unwavering commitment to glow might draw our wedding day closer. We were married on December 26, 2024, bundled in mystical joy. We smiled, smiled, and smiled some more together in great love; surrounded by our immediate family, held by the energy of loved ones across the country, we celebrated a love transcending space and time. We resolved to wade the political waters, standing firm in our determination to protect the duet of our unapologetic love. Though our ceremony was intimate, our community is abundant. In 2025, we look forward to gathering to celebrate and dance because, as Alice Walker teaches us, “Hard times require furious dancing.” We will dance. We love you, with a deep and abiding love. Read our story of destined and divine love, found in the crochet of beautiful friends and a duty to win. __ In the sprawling web of justice and liberation movements, where voices echo with the fire of change, two names resonated through circles of connections—Ash and Vahisha. Known to each other only through the reverberations of their deeds and shared commitment to freedom, they fought alongside, yet never face to face. They celebrated victories and milestones from afar, liking each other’s posts, cheering on each other’s publications and proclamations, their digital thumbs-ups a nod of respect, and a bit of flirting from Vahisha. Vahisha, after seeing a striking photo of Ash on IG talking liberation and love of Black women, whispered interest to a mutual friend. Their paths, intertwined yet apart, finally converged where their passions deeply aligned—in the virtual boardroom of Transform Network. Destiny chose a day when an absent board member (testifying before Congress) left the two of them to meet. There, among agendas and minutes, they finally heard each other's voices, not in echo but in real dialogue—laughing, listening, learning. The chemistry was palpable, the wondrous kind. This was the beginning of a connection beyond the confines of Zoom boxes. Just two weeks later, they met in person for the first time for what they now fondly call their "First Coffee." That blossomed into an impromptu visit to Ash’s favorite bookstore. Hours slipped by unnoticed, their conversation a lively dance around theology, literature, and life. They spoke with the ease of old friends and the excitement of new discoveries. They thought the day was drawing to a close as they left the bookstore. But the universe had more in store. A chance encounter with a kind-hearted stranger saw them sharing another hour on a sidewalk, listening to his life story, offering comfort, and connecting over their mutual love for helping others. It was a spontaneous act of kindness highlighting their shared values in real-time. Not ready to part ways, they spent another two hours dreaming together under the night sky, celebrating Ash’s upcoming graduation from Wake Divinity School. In a moment of playful wonder, Ash mused, "You ever think about dinosaurs coming through those trees?" When Vahisha replied wide-eyed, "Yes! All the time!" it was clear—a new adventure had begun. Their first movie date? Jurassic World Dominion, of course. More than a story of two people meeting; it’s a celebration of how shared values and seemingly random moments can weave the most beautiful braid. We hope reading this brings a warm smile, knowing that sometimes, the most profound connections come from the simplest beginnings and shared dreams under the stars.