Witness Our Bond! #BonnersBond

Clifton and Niesha first met on Instagram DM (digital messaging). The first thing Niesha noticed about Clifton was his beautiful smile. And the first thing Clifton noticed were her eyes. But Niesha was in her last year at the University of Cincinnati and made it clear to Clifton that she was extremely busy and not looking for any new friends at the time. But Clifton was patient and persistent and continued to chat with Niesha via social media for over a year. Via chat they learned about their mutual interest, which included travel, video games and exploring different cultures through food. For Niesha, Clifton was a silly and easy-going guy but also very thoughtful and interested in learning and self-improvement; a rare combination of some of her favorite qualities in a man. For Clifton, Niesha was funny, down-to-earth and thoughtful and kind. He saw something special in her. A year after meeting online, Clifton asked Niesha if she was ready to have an in-person meeting and she finally agreed. Their first date at Che, a downtown Cincinnati restaurant with the best empanadas in the city, was easy and electric, with the two bonding over food while pretending to be two food critics who were at the restaurant to write an upcoming review. The laughs and conversation left both feeling happy, full and eager to meet again. From that point, a relationship began to blossom. And what started online between strangers, slowly began to turn into love. Niesha remembers first thinking that she could marry Clifton when he made her miso soup from scratch. After complaining that the only places that served the soup were sushi restaurants, Clifton took Niesha shopping at an international grocery store and then made her the most delicious miso soup ever. Niesha loved that that is the way he showed love – through action. And for Clifton it became clear slowly with the everyday way Niesha showed up for him and others in her life and became crystal clear on a trip to Florida with his family. Clifton surprised Niesha with a marriage proposal on July 31st, 2022, in his mother’s backyard. Thinking they were making a quick stop at Clifton’s mom’s house and then headed on their way to Clifton’s work event, Niesha was confused when they arrived at his mother’s home and couldn’t find a place to park because of all the cars parked on the street. A huge surprise awaited her, as she entered the backyard and saw all of her family and friends, including several from out of town, waiting for her and decorations in her favorite color. She felt special and flooded with happiness and cried for days after the proposal. Clifton and Niesha are grateful every day that they have found their person and describe the love between them as the epitome and essence of Black Love. Clifton and Niesha are so grateful to the family and friends that support them and surround them in love and cannot wait to celebrate their love with everyone soon!