Our Story Deja’marie and I first met in the summer of 2023 while I was visiting Tampa on vacation with my best friend, Jahlil. During our trip, we stayed in an Airbnb owned by Deja’s best friend, Abigail, who also happened to be a friend of Jahlil’s prior to the visit. Wanting to spend time with good company, Jahlil and I invited a few friends over, including Abigail. She, in turn, convinced Deja to come out and meet a group of people she had never met before. Although Deja was initially skeptical, Abigail had never steered her wrong—so she trusted her and came by. That night, we all had a great time getting to know each other over drinks and music. After the trip, Deja and I remained good friends. Over the next year, we stayed in touch and gradually got to know each other more deeply, with no expectations—just a genuine connection forming over time. Almost a year later, everything changed. Deja came to Georgia to referee a volleyball tournament, and since she was in town, I invited her to a get-together at my house. I’m not sure exactly what shifted, but this time, when I saw her, she had a glow about her that I couldn’t ignore—even from across the room. That was the moment my feelings for her truly began. Even then, we took our time, continuing to build something real. On December 2, 2024, we made it official. Not long after we started dating, I knew I had made one of the best decisions of my life. I already knew Deja as a genuine and charismatic person—but now, I had the chance to know my best friend on a completely different level. About seven months into our relationship, after nearly two years of knowing her, I realized she was the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. After four months of planning, I proposed on February 13, 2026. She said yes. “Two are better than one… Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” -Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 With Jehovah God at the center of our union, we have found strength in one another, and a love that continues to grow deeper each day. And now, we invite you to join us as we celebrate our love and begin this new chapter together on November 8, 2026.