Efya My eyes fell on Collins at a community picnic. He was the emcee for the event and I was an attendee. His confidence was the first thing to catch my attention. There was something attractive about the way he carried himself. There was something different about how he held command with his countenance.After the picnic, he came up to me and asked for my number. I gave it to him and left it at that. A year later, I started to experience significant life changes. As I made it a point to pursue my relationship with Jesus Christ. I decided to have a healthy outlook on life, myself and my worth. It was during this time that I came across Collins on Facebook. Remembering him through our past interactions, I started to talk to him. This time, our conversations flowed more effortlessly. During our courtship, I remember thinking to myself how “right” it all felt. In past relationships, I found myself giving so much more--which in turn left me broken and dejected. In this one, I noticed the way Collins loved and walked with me. I noticed how hard he fought for me to be the best version of myself. I noticed how my well-being and joy were top priorities in his life. I felt so loved, and I thanked God for a love like this. The sweet thing about it all is God brought Collins to me when I least expected. I found a love that holds me in all the places I thought were nonexistent. This love is a love I have never experienced before. To love and be loved by someone so passionately is something I will hold in my heart forever. I hope that the way we love and respect one another will never change.

The first day I saw Efya at a community picnic, I saw someone with a quiet but reassuring demeanor. We casually spoke and exchanged contact. After the first meeting, she happened to show up in my church for her uncle's baby naming ceremony. I reached out later to inform her that it was nice to meet her again; which she never replied. After a third encounter at a mutual friend's wedding, I noticed the fun part that I hadn't seen in her in the past two encounters; this time she danced and giggled with those in her company while I stood with my friends but all the while my eyes firmly gazed on her the entire time. Nothing much in terms of communication between us took place. However, it was not until early 2019 that Efya and I started talking. The flow of events made me question if this was a revelation of what I had prayed about; to be in a stable, respectful and enriching relationship. Efya, was like an answer to a prayer. Somehow it felt like the earth stopped rotating on its axis just to make it right for us. We have since sailed through the "issues" that came along and we continue to do in the most dignified, respectful and grace that is defined by love and understanding. She has literally been organizing my life for me. She brought amazing order and calm into my life just when I needed it most.