Familiar faces in strange places best sums it up. We both grew up in Detroit and went to Cass Tech... We even played around the same area as kids growing up (Dequindre Park on Detroit's East side).. But we never officially met or spoke to each other until day 1 at Grand Valley State. We both chose GVSU by mere coincidence. One tagging along with HS friends. The other just to get far enough from home to still be able to return easily. When we arrived on day 1 at GV, we both felt a bit awkward and out of place (like most freshmen starting college). We were *magically* assigned to the same dorm (Hoobler). Marc having the added support of HS friends, decided to go door-to-door in the dorm to introduce himself to everyone. After about 20 rooms, one of the last doors visited was the door to the room India and her roommates were assigned. The fact that Marc (and 2 of his roommates) went to Cass Tech made the friendship natural, as we were all kind of "familiar faces" to each other in a "strange place" Over the coming weeks, Marc and his friends hung out with India and her roommates more and more. The friendship began to grow. After a few lunches/dinners to ourselves at the campus hot spots, the friendship became a budding romance.. ❤

One year and 6 months in.. I don't know when it happened for her, but it was around that point that I began to really feel like this could be a love that would last forever. So I decided to give her a promise ring in October of 2011. Since we were both broke college kids (lol), instead of getting married right then, we made a promise to each other. After graduating college and building a solid foundation, I decided to take the next toward that promise. I began to save and search for "the right" engagement ring. At the same, we were discussing the purchase of our first home. By early 2018, I had the ring. And a bit later that year, India learned of the cruise to Mexico I had planned for her "early birthday present". November 30th, one day into our 4 day cruise, I had officially decided when and how I would pop the all important question. There was a formal dinner that night so we were dressed for the occasion. We went down to take some professional photos, and I suggested we stop by the bar (mainly to calm my nerves). After drinks, we headed to the dining room.. I grabbed the manager of the restaurant during my second trip back from the bathroom (again I was very nervous), and asked him to do me a huge favor. I had him make a huge show out of it and bring a cake. She assumed it was for her birthday, until i dropped down to one knee. She said "Yes!" My plan was successful! The manager of the restaurant was so excited for us, that he sent a bottle of champagne to our room to help us celebrate! And we did just that for the remainder our trip!