Love Begins With Bengui

Once upon a time in 2019, on a warm October night in the Nation's capital, a persistent man named Simao asked a sassy lady named Marissa to buy a drink and she politely declined. He did not give up and a small part of the woman named Marissa really liked that. They talked, danced, and drank all night. Afterwards, they exchanged numbers and spoke the next evening. At the time, Marissa was living in Detroit and Simao lived in Maryland. They did not miss a day texting, calling, or video chatting from that first three hour phone call. They fell madly in love. In 2021, Marissa decided to take a leap of faith and join Simao and his sons in his home. She relocated to Maryland with her young son. Marissa left everything and everyone she knew to be with the man she loved. They began their new life together, blending their families of boys. On 11/11/2022, Simao popped the question to Marissa in front of family and friends. Well, he didn't really ask, in true Simao fashion, he had an engagement ring in his mouth and kissed Marissa with it. The next day he formally asked. The wedding was set to be in the summer 2024. In February 2023, Marissa found out she was pregnant. The final piece to the puzzle was a baby boy. The wedding was pushed back to 2025. Since then, our family has grown and our hearts are so full. We will continue to let God lead us down a path of righteousness, spreading love, joy and faith wherever we go.