Back in 2014, I had a pretty rough patch mentally and the year was filled with more lows than highs. Around August 2015, I told myself I no longer would cry over what was and opened myself to what is to come. By November 2015, I was feeling back to myself after nearly a year and a half of sadness. So a friend of mine, Torren (my Bridesman), was having a birthday gala at 21C Hotel in downtown Cincinnati. I looked absolutely amazing that night! So much so I told my friend Jamila while we were getting dressed, "I look too good not to meet my husband tonight." We arrived at the gala and were enjoying ourselves, taking pictures and mingling. When it was time to eat, I remember having chicken on my plate and a confusing knife to cut it with (or maybe the multiple glasses of Riesling made it confusing LOL). Nonetheless I struggled cutting this chicken, laughing about it to friends around the table. Then I felt someone staring at me. And I looked up and this guy with a short curly cut in a gray suit was staring me DOWN. He made a joke about me cutting the chicken and I laughed hard and obnoxious LOL Again the Riesling was winning. He invited me for a glass of wine in which I accepted and my best friend, Rico, intercepted as he handed it to me. I was embarrassed and nervous at what his response would be. He looked at Rico and asked if he wanted another one or was the one he took good to go. Rico looked at me and looked back at Dex, smiled and said "this is good. you can continue." From that day forward from long distance dating, to having our first born, to moving in together and buying our first home, we've been continuing on.

I came to Cincinnati in November 2015 to celebrate my close friend Torren's birthday. When I arrived to his birthday gala at 21C, I found I was seated at the table of the woman I had been hoping to meet for some years, even though I encounter her countless times. At the table, I was nervous to speak to her and was in deep search of the right words to express my interest. Her amazing smile and struggle to cut her chicken gave me the perfect opportunity to begin conversation. From there it led to a walk to the bar for drinks, in which the first drink was intercepted by a random high yellow gentleman, who introduced himself as Ricardo. Even throughout that interception, my mind was still focused on asking Janelle to go out on one date, in hopes she would want to get to know me better. Janelle's standoffish and nonchalant expressions did not phase any attempts I made in pursuing her after that first date. Our conversations after the first date led to me talking a lot more in our conversations than she did, however, I still was not phased by her lack of interest because I knew she was special. Those short conversations turned into greater conversations. And one date turned into multiple. In the blink of an eye, my like and infatuation turned into a pure and genuine love for her.