The story of Maurt'e and Brianna. Or Tae Tae and Bri. Or Dr. Harrison and Professor Bri as they are affectionately known to those closest to them. On a random Wednesday, Bri was driving north on Main Street to grab some Chipotle after work when suddenly her car began to tremble. This could only mean the worst so she pulled over and thought to herself, “why me?”. On this day though, the universe replied, “why not you?”. It was raining and cold and just not a very good day to have car troubles. With great reluctance she opened her door, walked around to the front of her car, and opened the hood to see smoke billowing from the car. She was stranded. As she stared at the maze of tubes and metal, a car pulled up behind her. A tall, brown skinned man, who must have been athletic, approached her. Brianna looked up at this tall figure and from his lips oozed the most soft, brown, and deep voice as he asked, “Is there anything I can do to help?” She then…

Okay, let’s be real. Maurt'e slid into her Direct Messages. It all started with a simple "Wave" from Facebook on Friday, August 3, 2019 at 10:18pm. Brianna was performing in a stage play called “Doubt '' and Maurt'e was patronizing the Daiquiri Shop in Dallas, TX where he was living during his summer Physical Therapy rotation.

During the two days it took for Brianna to reply, Maurt'e felt so many emotions. He was scared that she wouldn’t respond; embarrassed for putting himself out there; mad at his good friend JaQue for taking his phone and messaging her in a tipsy effort to make him “shoot his shot”. Then, early on August 5th, his phone alerted him to a Facebook Messenger from Brianna Walker. They hit it off immediately. They voice messaged and FaceTimed for 3 weeks until their first date to the Kansas City Royals Game on August 31, 2019. A chilly night, Maurt'e was so chivalrous that he offered Brianna his jacket at the game and ended up getting extremely sick afterwards. The next time they would hang out was while doing one of their favorite activities, bowling. This time she was thrust into his world by meeting those he cherished most. Monte’, his younger brother pulled her in for a strong handshake and some words of encouragement for the second daters, “Don’t come around us acting all shy and bougie”. Brianna felt right at home. Fifty-nine days later, on October 30th, Maurt'e asked Brianna to be his girlfriend. Of course she said yes!

In the first year of dating, the two were in a long distance relationship, but made every effort to make their moments the most special. From going to a Thunder’s Game in OKC, to taking a walk on a beautiful trail. And let’s not forget experiencing the Kansas City Chiefs win their first Super Bowl game in 50 years!

The journey never slowed as they supported one another through advanced degrees, hard times, and even Employee of the Year. Their hearts grew fonder and their love grew stronger. So strong that on a warm October day, 1 hour after Brianna was in a car accident, and surrounded by all of their family and friends, Maurt'e Harrison asked Brianna Walker to spend the rest of her life with him. Of course… She said yes.