They originally met in May of 2022 at an engagement party. At the end of the event they exchanged numbers, chatted a few times but things didn’t take flight. In September of 2023 God brought them back together on a pickleball court. His story: My best friend told me D’Vere would be joining us at the gym to play. I was excited, nervous & curious about what could happen between us. I told myself not to be too aggressive, just let things happen naturally. I couldn’t help thinking about that silver dress she wore at that engagement party last year. I was only able to see her the 2 days a week she came to the gym. She seemed to always be on the move. She was someone I really wanted to know more about. One day in November I finally got up the nerve to ask her out, using her birthday as the reasoning. Oh my goodness she said yes. Her story: After learning that a long time family friend played pickleball, I wondered if his friend Darryl played too. I’d remembered he’d asked for my number way back when but life clearly took us in different directions at that time. Sure enough, there he was. I noticed Darryl always had a pleasant look on his face and a beautiful smile, with lovely white teeth. I often heard him joking around, & laughing with everyone, and noticed he was very athletic. We’d chat on occasion while sitting on the sidelines waiting for our next game. Whenever I’d come into the gym he’d greet me with a fist pump that turned into a respectful side hug. After the sessions were over he’d walk me to my car open the door and wish me a safe journey home. One day he came to the gym and his cologne drew me in like a bee to a flower. It made me look at him differently, I noticed his beautiful brown eyes, and the “ what if’s” started in my head. Not long after my birthday he asked if he could take me out. On November 28 they met for dinner and spent hours conversing, laughing, and enjoying each others company. If the workers hadn’t started stacking chairs on the tables around them they could have continued on for several more hours. They left each others presence but continued the conversation on the phone as they drove home. After that they spoke everyday, hung out very often & of course continued to play pickleball every week. Darryl couldn’t get D’Vere off his mind, he noticed she gave him the peace he’d been longing for. He felt his spirit directing him to lock this woman down. He shared his feelings with her daughter Jia and his daughter Daria to ask for their blessing to propose. With the approvals of both of their children, less than one month after that 1st date, Darryl asked D’Vere for her hand in marriage on December 25,2023….she said YES!!!