It's 2016, and GroupMe was the popular app to connect with people. Dennis and Simoné were added to the same group chat with other members from different chapters of their fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega. It was common for people to meet up in person from these group chats, and Dennis visited Indianapolis two separate times in 2016. While Simoné was finishing up the first semester of her grad program, Dennis was visiting Indianapolis for the second time. She had no plans to see him, or anyone else while she studied to finish the semester strong. However, fate had other plans for these two. While taking a break from studying, Simoné reached out to Dennis to see how he was enjoying his trip. Dennis casually mentioned that he was hungry, and wished he had a pizza. Funny enough, Simoné happened to have a credit for a free pizza because they burnt the pizza from a previous order and offered to bring him one. Simoné walks in, pizza in hand, and wearing a Marvel t-shirt. Dennis also happens to be a fan of Marvel. Conversation flowed easily from there, and they found they had many things in common. They decided soon after that to get to know each other better. A few months later, Dennis surprised Simoné in Indy for Valentine’s Day. Before he left, he asked her to be his girlfriend. That entire weekend, he made sure Simoné knew how special she was to him before he left to go back home to Dallas. From there, they alternated time between Indianapolis and Dallas (with a few vacations sprinkled in) as she finished her Master’s. Long distance is tough y’all. They made sure despite the distance, they felt each other’s love through each FaceTime, text, or phone call. It was a long 2.5 years, but they got through it. Finally, Simoné graduated in 2019 and moved to Dallas. Together at last, they were excited to explore their relationship as a couple who lived in the same city, but COVID had other plans. Stuck in the house, they spent more time together during quarantine than their entire relationship! Despite the uncertainty COVID brought, that time together only solidified that they were committed to doing this thing called life together.

It’s a known fact that Simoné is not an easy person to surprise, so Dennis had to be creative and discrete when planning the proposal. He enlisted his brother Destin's help by having him set up the proposal as a “fashion photoshoot.” It was a way to ensure Simoné would look her best, and not know what was actually planned. If you ask her, she will say she had a feeling he was going to propose but did not look into it because she wanted to be surprised. The photoshoot was outdoors at the Dallas Arboretum. In June. For those who don't live in Texas, it was the WORST time to do anything outdoors because the temperature was in the high 90s/lower 100s. Everyone was hot and sweaty before they could even get to the first destination for the shoot. Mz. Jen, Dennis and Destin's mom, and Lindsey, Destin's fianceé were also included in the photoshoot but had no idea it was a planned proposal. Mz. Jen was first, then Lindsey, then Simoné. By the time it got to Simoné, everyone was ready to go. Simoné and heat do not mix well, which Dennis learned early on in their relationship when she passed out at an outdoor music festival. So he knew he only had a small window of time to make his move. While Simoné was posing and taking photos, Dennis got down on one knee and asked her to be his wife. Teary-eyed, she said yes, and they celebrated their engagement with dinner at Saint Rocco's If one word could be used to describe Simoné and Dennis' love story it would be: Resilience. Through long distance, sickness, and everything in between they’ve had to push through different adversities. Simoné and Dennis are excited to share their special day with family and friends as they celebrate their love and the next chapter of their love story.