You're Invited to Meet the Jacksons

Her Story We met through Courtney’s groomsman, Newney, and my Auntie — even though neither one of them told me where we were going. I was just asked to come outside and chill, and somehow that turned into us ending up at Courtney’s house. Every time I turned around, he was right there in my face — not in an annoying way, but in that “I see you” kind of way. He kept giving me the sweetest compliments, the kind that make you smile even when you’re trying not to. And before I knew it, I finally gave him my number His Story She’s right — we met through Newney and her Auntie. And yeah, I was all in her face, but not in an annoying way. I just knew I couldn’t let her slip away. Something about her pulled me in from the moment I saw her. I wasn’t trying too hard — I was just being real. And the truth is, she liked the attention. I could tell. So I kept complimenting her, kept making sure she knew I saw her. When she finally gave me her number, I knew that was the start of something I didn’t want to lose.

I took him to Olive Garden for his birthday — the first time I ever paid for a date. I knew he didn’t have a lot of money, and honestly, that didn’t bother me. I wasn’t keeping score, and I wasn’t trying to make a point. I just wanted him to have a good birthday and not stress about the bill. After that, I ended up paying for a few more dates. It wasn’t a big deal to me at the time. I cared about him, I understood his situation, and I was in a place where you could afford to pay. Shortly after things shifted for him and for us. The roles kind of flipped — suddenly he was the one treating me, picking up the tab, doing the things I used to do for him. He grew, and so did we.

When we first started dating, I didn’t have much. DeeDee actually paid for not just our first one or two dates — she covered the first ten or so. And instead of feeling embarrassed, I felt motivated. I knew I had to get it together and do better for her, because she deserved more than what I could give at the time. Even back then, I could see the kind of woman she was — loyal, solid, and always in my corner. There are still moments today that remind me of what I knew from the beginning: she’s a real one. Now I work hard to provide for her and the girls, to show up for them the way she showed up for me. I’ll always have her back, and their backs, just like she had mine.

From Mommy to Riley- You came into this world in the most unforgettable way. I was on the expressway, stuck in traffic, hurting, scared, and completely unprepared — and then my tire blew out. I had to leave the car right there and get rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. Everything was happening so fast, and all I could think about was getting you here safely. When we got to the hospital, they had to deliver you by an emergency C‑section. It was sudden and intense and I was so scared but your Auntie Alex did not leave my side. The moment you arrived, I knew every second of fear was worth it. Then they tried to send me home without you because you had jaundice. But I refused to leave you. I stayed in a tiny little room they called a “mommy suite,” even though it was barely big enough to turn around in. I stayed there for five days straight — no breaks, no going home, no stepping away. I wasn’t leaving my baby. And now? We’re inseparable. After everything we went through together from the very beginning, it only makes sense. You came into this world with a story, and from day one, we’ve been glued at the hip. From Mommy to Zoey The night you decided to come, I was knocked out, sleeping so good, when suddenly a sharp pain woke me up out of nowhere. One minute I was asleep, and the next I was on all fours in the bed, rocking back and forth, trying to understand what was happening. I tried to walk it off, went to the bathroom, and called your Auntie Dajzia. I even asked her, “Do you think I’m in labor? Lol.” She didn’t laugh. She said, “Yes, DeeDee. Go to the hospital.” My doctor had just told me I wasn’t in labor, so I was still trying to convince myself it was nothing — until that next contraction hit and almost dropped me to the floor. After that, everything moved fast. They rushed me into the C‑section room, and I started crying. They thought it was from the pain, but really, I was scared. But the moment I saw you, everything changed. All the fear disappeared. I was overwhelmed with happiness. And now you’re my little Velcro baby — always right with me, everywhere I go. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. From Daddy to Riley Riley you are my first born, my first baby. She's the one who really made me step up, who made me put all the boyish immature things behind, who turned me into a man. I'm grateful for you every day because you changed my life. From Daddy to Zoey You are my youngest, my crazy baby. You are so full of life and so bad but in a good way. You are the kid that completed our family. After you were born our family and our life felt complete. I love my Zoey; you keep me laughing all day every day!