Its (Samba) Time For Part II!

Toland and I met at the Shops of Columbus Circle in NYC at the top of 2019. Toland and I were on the escalator and we ended up and talking with each other. That actually led to brunch and then a walk over to Lincoln Center where we caught an orchestra rehearsing outside before a performance. I remember telling him all of my business that day. I talked about my family. I told him about the book I wanted to one day write and he told me about his work as a film maker. We even agreed to open a business together. We shook hands and agreed that one year later we would launch our business; not realizing that us meeting that day was the beginning of our forever, together as a couple, as a family. To this day, Toland still teases me about the shiny silver loafers I wore that day. Maybe that was what caught his eye.

In September 2019 we learned we were expecting! However, it took a little time for the news to really sink in. During date night in November, I decided to surprise Toland with a book about being a new dad. This was the same day Toland honored both of his parents at church with a special memorial. I thought the symbolism of the book would be good for him. However, Toland had tricks up his sleeve as well. After I gave him the book, he pulled a wrapped gift for me to open...perfume. Then he began to ask me a series of questions all based in the same theme, “are you ready.” Are you ready for a family? Are you ready for a husband? Are you ready to be a wife? I became soo irritated by the questions that I began to fuss with him a bit. Then Toland stands up, kneels down on his knee and asks me to marry him. I was a bit shocked at first but moments later he brought me back to reality by saying. “Hurry up and answer!” This still cracks me up when i think about it...🤣

It was months into the pandemic and we realized the wedding we planned for January 2021 will either have to be canceled or postponed. We had just finished wedding counseling and were planning to have a small private baptism ceremony for baby TJ despite COVID. I knew my mom was flying into town and didn't know when I’d ever see her again. So I thought, why not just just get married too! Toland really wanted to have a small wedding ceremony at the church anyway. So for me, because of the uncertainty of COVID, this was an opportunity to at least have my mom there. We planned the surprise wedding in weeks. We hurried and contacted City Hall about our license, called our neighbor and asked her to make us a cake, called our florist, our photographer, then bought a second set of wedding clothes for our new surprise big day. We invited a few nearby guests and told them what was happening only two to three days beforehand. Now, one year later, as we prepare to celebrate our first anniversary we are finally at a point we feel safe enough to host our Part II--our intended wedding reception and celebration with you, our family, and friends. See you in NYC!