Marlin's Perspective: We met at the Living Gospel in Compton, CA at ages so young I can’t even remember what grade we were in. All I remember is the seeing this beautiful mesmerizing girl walk through the door. Though I was just a young boy, I remember the soft radiant glow around her and this beautiful red bow in her hair. Every time I saw her, my world stopped for those few blessed moments. Year after year, she would stay weeks past when most saints typically left for the church meetings. Every extra week that I would see her in service was a gift. I did not tell her at the time, but every time I heard she left to go back home, a piece of my heart always left with her. Kamace's Perspective: Marlin and I saw each other around as we grew up in the same fellowship (The Living Gospel), but iiiii'd say -- we REALLY met in December of 2016. This was the first time I actually sat and talked with him, oppose to our countless number of greetings & in passing conversations as children growing up in the church. He was always well-mannered and pleasant. I would observe and admire how diligently he served; washing the feet of all mankind. I also noticed how much he loved football; I would ask God to cover and KEEP our young men in their journeys. After traveling to LA for years, each visit was becoming harder for me to leave. I had no idea why (sometimes literally getting on the plane IN TEARS). I would affectionately refer to SouthernCal as "My Home Away From Home". As chaotic as people describes this place to be, it served me so much peace. Soon, I realized God was only knitting our hearts together. He kept bringing me AAALLL the way to LA for me to meet the man I soon get to call my husband. God really met us when we met each other. Now that we're connected, it's been easy to leave ever since! LOL (I still love my people, though :) ) God's Perspective: The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. - Prov. 10:22

Marlin's Perspective: The day I proposed was a culmination of months of prayer and fasting. I always knew that a perfect proposal for Kam wouldn’t be the proposal with lights, huge rings, and a crowd of people but rather it would be the one that God gave his approval for and allowed his favor to rest on. The perfect proposal would be the one that was God sent, God led, and God ordained. I prayed for months; seeking counsel from our Pastor about when & how to propose. When the Lord finally dropped the peace of mind and instructions in my spirit, I knew that the approval from our heavenly Father had come. It was through the proposal that I learned how much God loved both of us. He loved us so much that he didn’t just leave me to figure out how to execute all of the details on my own. He gave me our dearest sister Kashmere & countless of other beautiful people to help along the way. I truly thank you all! The moment I got on my knees, I realized that the blessing on our union would not be because of the perfect man I try to be or the perfect woman I believe that Kamace already is, but rather the perfect God that brought us to this moment and will be the center of our relationship, thereafter. Kamace's Perspective: The way God orchestrates things is so beautiful. It would take more space than this would allow in order for me to share exactly what happened on 1/25/20. It was a full day, filled with SO much love, surprises & thoughtfulness. My heart was truly overwhelmed with God's love towards me so affectionately expressed through Marlin. To top it off, our bestfriends & family joined us for a phenomenal service the following Sunday morning. God couldn't have warmed our hearts any better than that, because later we would find out about the passing of a man we truly admire.. Kobe Bean Bryant. I will never forget that weekend. I'm still telling God, Marlin, & our people.. THANK YOU! God's Perspective: Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. ~ 1Thess. 5:24

Marlin: How could I describe this great woman of God and the impact that she had on our lives? Should I describe the tremble in her voice that would shake our souls when she prayed? Should I describe the two step that she would break out in when the spirit moved on her. Should I describe how she praised God with all of her heart. Should I explain the favor that rested on us thanks to her calling out our name to the Lord in the midnight hour? Or maybe should I explain how we got denied certain opportunities and rejected by certain people because she prayed that the Lord would deliver us from all evil. Though these were all essential to our development there is one thing that I cherish most: Mother Franklin's favorite declaration came from the Bible, "and, it came to pass." Regardless of what happened in the chapters before, when the Bible says, "it came to pass" there was always victory on the other side. We've endured many things in the chapters preceding today, but Glory to God that through the promises and faithfulness of the Lord, "it came to pass." Kamace: I fell asleep one night; asking the Lord for clarity and soundness of mind for upcoming decisions. While asleep, I began to dream. In my dream I seen this beautiful woman of God - Mother Irene Clark. She was singing so beautifully at one of our church services, and began to encourage the people of God to continue praying. Our dear Mother had passed away, so to see her face and hear her sing was extremely refreshing. I woke up, and knew exactly what to do.. only to again be greeted by a song of Zion; coming from my phone's speaker - I Found The Answer by Mahalia Jackson. That was my answer. It wasn't a YES or NO. It was... PRAY, and that's what I've been doing ever since. God has since then given us reassurance that when we stay ever before Him, we will obtain just what we need. Just as Mother Franklin & Mother Clark would rejoice in dance, we praise God for the love & peace He's brought us through them.