Our Love Story

As some may know, Garry and I joined historically Black Greek-letter organizations in college. With fewer Black students on college campuses in California, Black Greek life is unique in that one's experience often expands outside of their respective schools. We saw each other at several Greek functions and apparently Garry was interested. On a trip to Vegas in April 2013, when he was with friends and I was with family, Garry gave me his number in the comments section of one of my pictures on Instagram before DMs were a thing. A month after the Vegas trip, I invited Garry to hang out with me at my best friend from high school Alanna’s house in San Bernardino. After that, it didn’t seem as if he was really interested in me, until graduation weekend for several colleges in the Inland Empire. While at the Black/Pan-African graduation for CSU San Bernardino, where I was in attendance to celebrate Alanna, Garry was also there to celebrate some of his frat brothers. I saw Garry and texted him to say hey and tell him I was there too. After the CSUSB graduation, we all went to a party in the nearby area to celebrate. The party abruptly ended due to foolishness and to ensure Alanna and I weren’t waiting around for our ride home in the dark, Garry and several friends offered to give us a ride to Garry’s house so our friend could pick us up from there. On the way to Garry’s house, Kwesi (the Best Man) insisted that I attend the UC Riverside Black Grad the next day to celebrate Garry’s graduation. I was hesitant at first, but it must have been fate because I decided to go. After graduation, Garry invited me to a small party at his place. There I was introduced to his family and decided I would sit next to his grandma and talk with her. During our chat, Grandma asked me if I liked her grandson. I told her, “of course, we’re friends.” She said, “that’s not what I meant, and you know it.” She told me, he and I should go on a date. Since then, Garry and I have talked every day.