We originally met in 2008 walking to Eastern Market station, but Jasmyn told me she didn’t use her phone… I lost the number. Fast forward a year later: Jasmyn walked in class with permed hair to the shoulders and tattoos. The colorful earrings were removed, kept it simple, yet was still very beautiful. I asked someone we knew at the time for Jasmyn’s number. (She told me the number hadn’t changed and wasn’t giving it to me again.) After doing some digging I finally convinced someone to give me her number. We talked everyday that school year. Became best friends and got to know one another. On May 3, 2010, she agreed to be my girlfriend.

I was in Downtown Boston with close friends celebrating New Years. We were at a bar after lunch and my phone started ringing - it was Duane. We hadn’t spoken in over a year, haven’t dated in an even longer time. I couldn’t not answer the phone. We spoke for three hours. At the time: I lived back home in Washington, DC and he was settled in South Central, California. On June 23, 2018, Duane boarded a flight to DC and we’ve been together since.

After going on a dinner date, Duane started driving towards the Zoo. Starting to recognize the surroundings I asked, “Where are we going?” To which he replied, “just sit back and relax.” After about 10 minutes we arrived in the DuPont Circle area where we went during high school to spend time together. He parked, handed me a hand written poem(like high school days,) and a light purple eternal rose, then stood outside of the car waiting for me to finish reading it. I looked up, realizing what was happening, and Duane opened the door to help me out. Duane led me a few feet and stood in front of 1629 Connecticut Avenue Nw - Alero restaurant. He explained this was previously Chipotle, where we had our first date in high school. There he kneeled down and proposed right in front of the restaurant.

Duane and Jasmyn have two daughters. Demi-Joi (3/25/19) and Journei (7/30/23.)