We Said Yes

Groom's Version: Back in 2019 she and I were at the same place at the same time while she was celebrating her birthday. I actually remember Johnae when I really think about it because she had an afro then and I remember there being a Texas crew. Jessica and I didn't even cross paths at that time though. Who would have known that back then, God had a plan for us without us even knowing. It seems like the world was trying to get us to acknowledge through people and technology. All it took was a swipe, hummus, and parking in an illegal spot. Our first date was at a place called whisky charlie which is aesthetically pleasing but LACKED in the food selection that someone (not going to name names) wasn't a fan of. I remember a woman with locs and a sweater coming to meet me. On day one I could tell she had a whole lot of personality. During the date, I told her I had parked my car in a questionable spot and she told me to go move my car so it didn’t get towed. Even though that was something small, it showed she was a caring woman. I left her my jacket because it was cold in the restaurant (playing chess here) and because I could tell she wasn't the type to take something that didn’t belong to her, so it guaranteed she would stick around. I came back, ordered hummus (I like hummus.. she thought I was broke) and we talked most of the night. We laughed, shared stories, and told one another about ourselves despite food and drinks not being that great. Talking to her I instantly realized that this is the person I want to talk to everyday, laugh with everyday, and spend time with everyday until my last. After that night, we were inseparable and spent every day and night talking. I can honestly say, even till this day, I have never been bored talking with her. When I made the move to DC, that is really when things began to show that we were meant to be. When I say she and I spent everyday together, we spent EVERY DAY together. She is the first woman I have ever enjoyed spending time with on a daily basis, first woman I enjoyed talking to every day, first woman I could see myself spending the rest of my life with, and I am honored that she chose me to spend her life with. Bride's Version: I met Jared at a very hard time in my life. I was in a “men don’t matter” phase and had realized at that point I would probably be okay being by myself. I had close people in my life that encouraged me to get back in the dating scene and I decided to get on Hinge but I didn’t have much time to get out and “find” someone. I saw Jared’s fyne self and swiped right and we matched. We laughed a lot and I found him to be someone I could at least be friends with. We talked for a minute before going on our first date It was there that I knew this man was NOT serious and likely broke as a joke. We went to a restaurant to eat and he only ordered hummus. Definitely questionable. This same date he told me his car was parked illegally and I jokingly told him he should probably move it. Guess what, he got up and left the table for around 20 minutes. I could not believe it. Did I just get played and stuck with a bill? I Facetimed my sister Victoria and laughed about this ridiculous date I was on. He eventually came back and for some reason we kept talking. We dated for around 5 months before making it official. People ask me when I knew he was my person, and it was exactly 3 months after being official. I had experienced something with him that could break even the strongest of relationships and he treated me with nothing but love. He was able to open my eyes to how wonderful he was, and I learned that that he would ride for me in all times. Our love story consists of lots of laughter and fun times. He’s my best friend and I couldn’t and still can’t believe God blessed me with him.