Damon & JeraldDamon & Jerald
Our StoryOur Story
San Francisco, Beyonce' & WineSan Francisco, Beyonce' & Wine
First Meeting
In September 2018, Damon traveled to San Francisco, to attend Dreamforce, the annual technology innovation conference. The original trip was planned Sunday to Thursday. While connecting over dinner with local friends Shannon and Marcus, Damon was persuaded to stay through the weekend to attend a friend’s birthday dinner on Friday. Excited by the idea of extending his trip, he changed his flight. At the dinner party, Jerald found himself seated next to Damon. The two quickly hit it off, connecting over recent travels to Greece, shared HBCU and fraternity roots, and—of course—their mutual excitement for the upcoming Beyoncé concert that Saturday. Damon, once again, changed his flight to stay for the show. Although they attended the concert separately with their own group of friends, they stayed in touch throughout the night. The connection was undeniable—so much so that, later that night, Jerald invited Damon on their first date: a Sunday wine tasting trip to Napa Valley. Damon didn’t hesitate—he changed his flight one more time. See our first picture together, taken that unforgettable Sunday in Napa.
From Philly, with LOVEFrom Philly, with LOVE
Engagement
The couple celebrated their 6th year anniversary in September 2024. Jerald gave Damon a mini lego set replica of the iconic L.O.V.E statue. The couple had grown an affinity for puzzles and board games during the pandemic. They proceeded, over the next month or so, to spend periodic rainy nights and lazy Sunday afternoons putting the L.O.V.E. set together in their living room while watching movies and sipping wine. The completed puzzle eventually found its home on their living room shelf. Months later, in celebration of Jerald's birthday, Damon gifted Jerald tickets to the Roots concert in Philadelphia. As the couple prepared to attend the Roots concert in Philadelphia, Damon mentioned they would need to leave early due to a ‘surprise’ he had planned. In preparation for a music filled weekend in the city of brotherly love, Damon informed Jerald that the two would do a quick pit stop, to take a few pictures in front of the iconic LOVE statue. Once they arrived, Damon reached in his backpack and unveiled the couples completed mini lego 'LOVE' art puzzle that was usually sitting on the couple's shelf in their living room. Jerald smiled with excitement, recognizing the connection. After taking a few photos with the puzzle, Damon reached again in his back pocket and brought out a small box. Little did Jerald know, Damon pulled out a ring and popped the question! Jerald, completely shocked, gladly agreed. See photos and videos from the engagement in the photos page.