Who would've thought that a trip to Footlocker in Montgomery Mall over sixteen years ago would affect my life today. I randomly stopped at the mall to check on Darren and that’s were I first laid eyes on my soon to be wife. A casual trip to visit my close friend initiated what I thought was a brief encounter but manifested into love right on the campus of Alabama State University. A week later, I saw a beautifully familiar face walking across the yard. I approached Joanna and reintroduced myself. We talked for a while, then exchanged numbers, and a friendship was birthed. We were both actively involved in serving the university. I was a Student Orientation Service Leader (S.O.S.) and Joanna was a Golden Ambassador (G.A.). Throughout our years in college, our friendship blossomed. Several hours of phone conversations was our usual, no topic was off limits.  We went out to eat a lot, and boy could she eat. We both enjoyed university functions, especially football classics.  I can recall my mother inviting Joanna and her line sisters to stay at our house for the Gulf Coast Classic. At the time, my mom was battling cancer but she insisted that they stay with her. After the weekend my mother told me “you're dating her, but she’s not dating you”. I told my mom it’s not like that, we are just friends. But just like a mother, she saw my heart. After graduating from college we both went our separate ways. Communication dwindled, and 2 1/2 years passed without a word from either of us.  But just as ASU did in the beginning, it brought us together again. During the first ASU Labor Day Classic Football game I saw what I had seen over 16 years ago, a beautifully familiar face. Since that moment, we have been inseparable. Being as faithful to our alma mater, as it had been to us, I proposed to Joanna during halftime of the ASU vs. JSU football game, with the help of friends and family. She said yes! ASU will forever be the heartbeat to our love story and I’m forever grateful.