Marquita and Joseph met in the spring of 2011 through mutual friends. What started as a casual hangout almost didn’t happen at all—Marquita was planning to go to a party, until a friend showed her a photo of Joseph and convinced her to change plans. Joseph, coincidentally, was also planning to go to a party that night, but fate intervened and brought him to hang out instead. While the rest of their friends were glued to a scary movie, Joseph spent the night asking Marquita a million questions—everything except the one she expected most: her phone number. She left that night puzzled, assuming it just wasn’t meant to be. Later, Joseph would admit he asked all those questions because he was nervous. A few weeks later, fate stepped back in. Marquita crossed paths with one of Joseph’s friends, who encouraged her to let him pass her number along to Joe. From there, the two spent the summer talking nonstop and exploring Richmond’s parks and city together. Just before heading off to college, they made things official. This year, Marquita and Joseph celebrate 15 years together. Over the years, their journey has been an incredible adventure filled with laughter, love, and unforgettable moments. They’ve traveled whenever possible, built a life side by side, and recently welcomed their greatest joy—their son, Max. Now, they are beyond excited to begin this next chapter together as husband and wife.