a black love affair #alwaysAnderson

His Version: We met at CDF Freedom School National Training in Knoxville, TN. After experiencing a Freedom School Summer, I knew I wanted to marry someone from that community, knowing what it consists of. After exchanging social media and communicating in the comments section on IG every blue moon, I knew that she was attractive and had a great personality, so I shot my shot in the DMs. Following several weeks of consistent communication, I knew I wanted to be with her. Once we began dating, our bond grew stronger and stronger. My friends loved her, her friends felt like my friends, & her family felt and even looked like my family. After years of being in a long distance relationship and learning her on deeper levels, I knew that I could be with this woman forever. She possessed many qualities I lacked and constantly motivated me, and encouraged me to believe in myself, trust myself, and go for more (although sometimes her way of communicating these things were not the best LOL - tough love.) While gradually learning how to communicate with each other and the love and growth continued, I knew it was time to propose! There was no one else I wanted to love and grow with for the rest of my life. After she said "Yes," it's been constant ups and downs, but all with the person who has chosen to choose me every day and every moment has been worth it with her. Now here we are, moments away from making an oath before God, our family, and our friends to vow that we will continue this good fight side by side for the remainder of our lives. Her Version: We met at CDF Freedom Schools Training (2012) where there are thousands of likeminded young leaders who are looking to make a change and network. With all of the networking and social media exchanges done there, I honestly do not remember connecting with Harry. However, shortly after we left the training, he began to comment on my pictures on IG. "We must have met at Freedom School Training," I thought. So I responded and showed him love in his comments as well ( I mean this WAS the Freedom School Way LOL.) Soon after, he began to express interest in my comments, letting all of my followers know his intentions, but what was I going to do with a man in Florida while living in Kentucky. This went on for years, and when the time was right (2018,) he messaged me and asked for my number. At this time, I lived in NY, was a bit more mature, and was open to at least a good conversation. He called and the conversation was so natural, we talked about everything, and I was attracted to how open and honest he was. It felt like I was talking to a friend of 15+ years. We talked every single day, and as the days went on, I began to fall in love with him, but of course I wasn't going to say it first, and he still had to pass the "family and friend approval test." They loved him! Soon after, I met his family and the vibe was indescribable. They felt like MY family. It was actually kind of scary how well everyone meshed. As time went on, I noticed that he challenged my strong perspectives and put his foot down (when needed,) bettering me in SO many ways. We continued to love and choose each other through the ups and downs of long distance dating (If you know, you know.) I left NY and moved to ATL (2019.) With ATL being closer, we (mainly Harry) could drive to each other at least a few times a month. This allowed us to learn each other on so many different levels. It was getting good. Then COVID hit and we started unofficially cohabitating (since we were all in the house on lock down anyway.) This is when we were able to really see each other's true colors and even through the ups and downs, I still knew he was the one. Soon after, he proposed! We had talked about marriage before, but this made it real. Today, we are still learning each other daily, but there is no one in this world that I would want to spend the rest of my life with and I can not wait to say "I Do" to MY person, before God and OUR people.