It all began at Roosevelt High School, where we moved in similar circles but never quite crossed paths. Our friend groups overlapped just enough to make us familiar strangers, and that small connection led us to each other through social media. What started as a simple Snapchat streak of random photos with no captions, a few “wyd?” messages here and there, slowly turned into real conversations and late-night talks that helped us truly get to know one another. Before long, our connection moved beyond a screen, and once it did, we became inseparable. We were only 15 years old, but what we shared felt real and effortless. I still remember the first time I saw DeWayne in person and blurting out something completely out of character, trying to hide the feelings I didn’t yet know how to express. DeWayne remembers it differently - he saw me standing in the courtyard after school with my cousin and was immediately drawn to my full curly hair, dreamy eyes, and vibrant personality. High school became our world. We cherished the hallways - walking each other to class, sneaking out just to steal a few moments together, and sharing our dreams and goals for the future. Football quickly became a big part of our story. Every Friday, I showed up to school with a basket made just for DeWayne, a small way to show my support. Friday nights were spent in the stands, cheering him on under the lights, and afterward, we always ended up at Whataburger, replaying the game and soaking in those quiet moments together. Even then, we were growing—learning what it meant to support one another, to show up, and to build something that felt bigger than the moment we were in.

Then, in the blink of an eye, everything changed. I saw a tweet announcing that DeWayne had committed to the Army. I remember thinking, What is he doing—and why? From the very beginning of our relationship, we had talked about military life, and he had always assured me it was something he would never pursue. I immediately began researching the school, only to realize it was in New York. A two-hour drive suddenly turned into two plane rides, and in my heart, it felt impossible. As I learned more, I watched videos showing just how strict the academy was. I remember thinking—maybe this is exactly what he needs. Still, doubt lingered. That summer, DeWayne left for prep and completed the three-week BEAST program, during which there was no communication at all. In that silence, I questioned everything—our relationship, our future, and how we would survive such distance. Then, the first letter arrived. Before I even opened it, I knew everything was going to be okay. In his words, he spoke of reflection, growth, and certainty. He reassured me that despite the distance and the challenges ahead, he believed we belonged together. In that moment, every doubt, insecurity, and fear faded away. From then on, we learned what commitment truly meant. We spent countless days traveling back and forth—from EWR to SAT—just to spend time together. We poured endless money into flights and hotels, never once questioning if it was worth it. It always was. Through the distance, our communication strengthened. We broke old habits, learned patience, and understood the importance of moving as one. Along the way, we experienced so much life together—traveling to new places like New Mexico, California, Florida, and Mexico, with many more adventures still ahead as we grow older. We experienced a pure love and watched ourselves transform into the strong-willed adults we are today. He watched me graduate college and begin my career as a teacher, and I watched him work tirelessly to secure the life he had dreamed of for years. Our greatest joy came when we welcomed our sweet, beautiful baby girl, Ivelisse Rose Coleman. Stepping into this sacred chapter taught us lessons we never could have imagined and strengthened our love in ways we didn’t know were possible. Becoming parents showed us that love isn’t just something you feel—it’s something you choose, protect, and build together. Above all, we learned that we are one team. Rooted in our past and filled with hope for the future, we now move forward with full hearts—growing forward together, forever.