We met on an online dating website (Upwards). I saw an advertisement by Lecrae promoting the dating site so I checked it out. My profile was horrible and I am still amazed that Carolyn swiped right. Our love story started on the first time we met in Ybor. We rode the streetcar together and played a few games at an amusement center to break the ice. Then we took a picture in the park at Ybor with the chickens walking around. At that moment I thought to myself "I am in love with this woman". It was difficult at first because we were in a long distance relationship and only saw each other during the weekend. But we were able to work through this and in the process our love grew into what we have today. Our first valentines was special as it was the first time we both verbalized these three words: "I love you". The image of this moment will be seared in my mind for years to come. You wearing that red dress and I was wearing a pink shirt. Two of the main attribute I admire and love about Carolyn is her love for your family and her relationship with God. The engagement that almost never happened: I planned a surprise proposal for Carolyn on the Sunday after she got back from her trip to Europe. Her flight got canceled from Saturday to Sunday. Carolyn literally got off the plane and came to what she thought was her best friend birthday party which turned out to be her engagement. I made her a presentation with our favorite moments with Bryan McKnight's Back at One playing in the background. She said yes. Now we are planning on getting married and becoming a family. I look forward to the memories we make together as a family. As our family and friend we request your prayers for us as we embark on this new adventure together. Carolyn you are 1 of 1 and you are amazing just the way you are.

Online dating could be tricky we met Upwards. It started out with a couple of text messages back and forth and then to weekly phone calls on Tuesday. Over a couple months we talk about life goals family and most important faith. Our conversation seems to line up. In August Phillip first came to Florida on break however I was in Italy at the time so we couldn't meet up. Three months later in November right after Thanksgiving we met all to make sure each other was a real person. At first, I thought I was being "punked" since he was late. As I walked out that Game Time, he passed by in his rental car super excited to meet me and he looked exactly like his profile picture. The things that I admire so much about Phillip is his relationship with God and through meeting him it actually strengthens and challenges me to walk closer. His relationship with his family sees him as a confidant for his siblings as well as a doting uncle for his nieces and nephews. Phillip is brilliant, I call him my renaissance man he always has new skills and new talent he tapped into but yet he is humble and a servant. As we approached this next chapter to matrimony, we look forward to celebrating with you.