On July 26, 2022, 8,500 feet above sea level in Park City, Utah, Jade and Thomas found themselves at the Stein Eriksen Lodge for the 2022 GlobeSt Women of Influence Conference—but for very different reasons. Jade was there as an honoree, recognized for her philanthropic endeavors in Milwaukee. Thomas was there to support a longtime friend and mentor, who was also being honored. In a room filled with accomplished individuals, Jade and Thomas were among the youngest attendees—and two of the few black professionals present. Jade arrived, just in time to catch Thomas’s attention. His mentor noticed the moment and remarked, “You are smitten.” Thomas seized an opportunity for a brief conversation with Jade, during which they discovered something extraordinary: they shared the same birthday, April 21st. Over the next year, Jade, living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Thomas, based in Silver Spring, Maryland, nurtured a close long-distance friendship. Both were in spiritual seasons of growth, prioritizing prayer and deepening their connection with God daily. They made a pact not to go more than two weeks without seeing each other. After 96 hours of flight time and more than 25+ trips, they realized that while love was enough, the distance was not! On October 12, 2023, Thomas proposed and asked Jade to relocate to the Washington, DC, area. Jade agreed and made the move by Valentine’s Day 2024. Exactly one year later, on October 12, 2024, Jade and Thomas were married in an intimate ceremony at Thomas’s childhood home in Fort-Washington, Maryland, surrounded by immediate family. Now, on October 12, 2025, Jade and Thomas are looking forward to celebrating their love with family and friends in Jade’s hometown, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. See you there!