Rachelle's Version Henry and I met in the fall of 2004 at North Carolina Central University. We had the same Spanish 2 class and he would always drag into class 15-20 minutes late, carrying a tennis racket. The professor ended up calling him out and telling him that if he was late again, he was going to get dropped. Somehow that conversation led to me being his personal alarm clock. Every morning when I got up for class, I would call down to his room and wake him up. He went on to graduate that December (thanks to me). Henry's Version: Rachelle and I met in a Spanish 2 class. I needed this class for graduation and it was my graduating semester. I did not want to be there and was late every day. I wasn't just late, I was 20-25 minutes late, walking in like I owned the place. One day the professor told me that I couldn't be late again or he would drop me from class. So after he told me I couldn't be late any more, Rachelle, whom I had spoken to prior, laughed me. So, I looked at her and said, "Can you help me since you find it so funny?" She asked how and I asked her to call me and wake me up for class. And before iPhones were out, she'd already put it on her calendar and sent it to herself. She called me every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the rest of the semester. Even on Holiday's and days when the professor said we didn't have class. Therefore, with Rachelle's help, I was able graduate. I think I got a C and she got an A, but I remember more Spanish than she does today...make it make sense.

Rachelle's Version: Henry came down to visit his family for his birthday. He called while he was in town and said he wanted to come see the new floors I had recently installed. He came by, took a tour, hung out for about 20 minutes and then left. Later that day he texted me to ask if I had anything to do the next day. When I answered "no" his response was "good, that means you can come out with me tonight." We drove around trying to find places that were open (there was a curfew due to Covid) and ended up at the Ale House in Wake Forest. We ate then went back to my place. I sat on one end of the couch and Henry sat on the opposite end. We watched 21 Bridges before he left to go back to his hotel. We talked every day from that day forward. On October 23rd we planned a date & he came back to NC. I was blasting Janet Jackson when he walked in and immediately gave me a kiss. I was gone lol :) Henry's Version: While in Maryland, I would often come home to North Carolina. I knew Rachelle had bought a home, but I'd never seen it. I asked for a tour and she said sure, but Covid delayed my tour. Once everything was a go, I was given a tour. After the tour, we went and got something to eat... We actually had gone out years ago, but Rachelle said I was mean to the waiter, so this time I made sure to treat the waiter nicely. There was a curfew due to covid and our choices were limited, so we went to the Ale House. This time we had such a great time that she allowed me to take her out again, and again, and again, and here we are.

Rachelle's Version: My friend, Krystal and her husband invited us to dinner at Maggiano's. We double dated with them often so I didn't think anything of it. Krystal and I texted just as we did before all of our other double dates to confirm time, etc. She texted me as Henry and I were pulling in to tell me that they had just gotten to the restaurant. When Henry and I walked in she said that she thought she left her tag on her shirt and asked me to accompany her to the restroom. We get in the restroom, and sure enough there was a tag on her shirt. I removed the tag, we primped a little and returned to the lobby to meet the guys. They made some comments about it being super packed and stated that they were going to sit us in another section of the restaurant. We walked down a long hallway and as soon as I got to the door my dad was the first person I saw, followed immediately by my cousin, Terri. I knew in that moment, it was happening. Henry's Version: Rachelle said that I was not planner, nor was I able to multitask. She also said that she didn't feel like she was a priority because a lot of my time was spent planning an event for homecoming. I felt that she was very frustrated with me and all of my running around for homecoming. Unbeknownst to her I had been planning a surprise for her longer than I had been working on homecoming. We had previously talked about how she wanted the proposal to go. Her only request was that she wanted her parents there and she wanted it to be recorded. So I knew the date weighed on her father's availability. Once he was confirmed, I contacted my LB, who is a videographer... Everything was set and it was go time. I planned everything from dinner to the guest list. In order to keep Rachelle off my tracks, I asked a friend of hers to ask her if we could go out on a double date. Once at the restaurant, after being surprised by her family and friends, I proposed and she said "Yes" Then I asked if she still thought I wasn't a planner.