We met as Facebook friends through Ralph’s older brother Martin. What started off as an online friendship of “name that song” from song lyrics Ralph used to post, became private messages confiding in one another, and eventually turned into phone conversations and hang outs. Before long, our friendship turned into a relationship. The relationship between us was short lived, though we remained friends and still loved one another. In 2015, I decided to relocate to Maryland and the relationship reverted back to being just an online friendship. Little did we know, this was not the end of our love story.

Although Ralph and I would comment on one another’s post here and there on social media, it wasn’t until May 1, 2021, that I subtly 😜 slid in Ralph’s DMs and asked for his phone number to reconnect outside of social media. We began talking on the phone again for the first time in years and eventually agreed to see each other in person when I came home to Detroit to help my aunt move. When we reconnected in person, we quickly realized the sparks of our young love were still there. On June 29, 2021 we got back together, this time entering into a long distance relationship since I was still in Maryland and Ralph in Michigan. We didn’t know how or if this would work, but we felt strong enough about each other to give it a try. A love once lost, now found and truly fate has blossomed, and resulted in an engagement!

Ralph told me he was going to come visit at the end of July, but couldn’t get vacation time off so we agreed to meet in Atlanta for his birthday. I was so busy making plans for every weekend leading up to my second knee surgery, but my mom told me to leave one particular weekend open so we could hang out. Earlier in the week, Ralph told me he sent a package and it was scheduled to arrive on Friday. I spent all day looking out the window, waiting on a delivery truck to come to my house, but by 9pm no one had arrived so I let Ralph know the package didn’t come, and he informed me it was running late. I went to sleep thinking nothing of it, only to be awaken at about 1:00 am by my home alarm system. When I woke up and turned on the light, Ralph was standing at my bedroom door with flowers. Filled with excitement, I realized that he was the package (he missed his flight that’s why the package was late). We went on to enjoy our weekend when unbeknownst to me, Ralph had one more surprise! On the morning of his flight back home, Ralph left a card on the table for me. After reading the beautiful card, I attempted to give Ralph a hug. Ralph stopped me from hugging him, got down on one knee, and asked for my hand in marriage. I immediately said yes and the rest is history! We're so excited to celebrate this next chapter in our lives with you. See you soon!!!