2016 - Erica began going to LA Fitness regularly to work out. She continued even after Barbara stopped going with her. LOL She joined this group of dedicated folx who were working out and selling Herbalife. Al was also a part of this group. Every morning the group would work out at 5AM - becoming the 5AM GANG, documenting their 'gains' with pictures each day and getting to know one another as friends. This is where their friendship blossomed as they shared with the group about careers, families, where they were from, and encouraged each other as accountability partners. It wasn't until COVID in 2021, that they connected because they both thought their teenage daughters (Brylynn and Taylor) were secretly trying to kill them! LOL They began talking about parenting and sharing advice, and from there the friendship grew even closer and that's when Al took the kid gloves off and asked Erica out on a date. And the rest is history.

AL's POV - I had started looking online and thinking about getting engaged. When I decided that I was sure, I talked to Erica's mom and brother Jerome. I took several trips to NY alone and with friends, and then picked up the ring. Erica was constantly upset that I was going to NY without her, not knowing I was going there to build her ring and purchasing it. Then I decided I would propose during my birthday trip when we were away and when she wasn't working, as she had been traveling a lot. The whole time I was scheming and planning with family and friends. Erica's POV - Well, I was clueless. Everyone saw it coming and I'd say, it's not happening anytime soon, as grief was present in our lives. However, Al planned his birthday trip (late) and I shortened a work trip to make sure I was present. In anticipation of the trip, Al was SHOPPING! And I was saying, he can't spend all his money shopping and propose so I know that's out the question! And he was on my case! "When are you getting your hair done? When are you getting your nails done? You can't just pack a book bag! Aren't you gonna buy something new?" I was like, I will be cute but it's your birthday this is about you. The next morning as we headed to the airport for Punta Cana, Al was getting on my nerves! His energy was on 1000 and I was tired. I kept asking, 'what is wrong with you?' We arrived in Punta Cana and went straight to the pool. Al and Naeem left the pool to make dinner reservations and came back about an hour later to tell us to get out the pool and get ready for dinner. As we got dressed, I realized that a dress Taylor encouraged me to purchase for the trip (she was in on it) matched Al's outfit. All of a sudden, Naeem is no longer going to dinner with us, it's just the two of us, which is fine. I take a photo shoot of Al and then we take a golf cart to where he'd planned dinner on the beach! I'm thinking so romantic as we sit at a table inside of a heart on the beach. Al loves the water. We start dinner and it's great as we eat and talk but Al is like this isn't the right table. (He's always a stickler for certain details.) I'm like, this is great I know you love the water. Note: He was facing the water and I was facing him, I could see everything coming. Within a few moments, the waiter is moving us to a cabana to finish dinner, and now we both faced the beach. As we prepared for dessert, Al asked me do I want coffee. "OMG! Yes! I haven't had coffee all day!" After a moment of lost in translation, where Al is trying to order me a latte, I settle on a coffee. We start a deep conversation where I am asking him about his hopes for the new year around the sun as his birthday approaches. Then he changes the subject and asks me what was my favorite trip between the two of us. My coffee arrives as I am trying to explain that I can't decide which trip is the best and I go on a long-winded explanation about them. And that's when Al so RUDELY cuts me off! (In my mind - what the heck?) He starts to talk about his favorite trip when he visited Detroit and talked to my mom and asked her would she mind him being a part of her family. And again, a waiter comes, but this time with another coffee cup that seems to have foam on top! "OMG! - they figured out how to make me a latte!" He sets the cup down and the coffee says, "MARRY ME?" Instant, tears! I turn away from the coffee and Al is asking me to marry him! (Insert ugly cry) Yes, I say. Then he opens the ring box and I scream "Yes!" We hug and kiss in the moment and that's when I realize there is a light shining on us where Naeem has been recording it. The first thing I say is "I need to call my mom, I told everyone we weren't getting engaged." Al says, "Don't worry, I got something else planned." We go back to the room and lo and behold, he'd set up a zoom with our closest family and friends, so that they could celebrate with us right after! It was so thoughtful and just like him to anticipate my needs.