Like most Division 1 programs, the student athletes at Purdue were required to do 8 hours of study hall a week.  The only environment where athletes cohesively focused on schoolwork to maintain their academic responsibility.  As fall training became more challenging, it was difficult for Robert to balance preparing dinner, and making it to study hall on time. He along with a few other off campus teammates decided to ask Cierra and her friends to bring some of the dinning court food back to study hall. It was during this time that their exchanges of cookies and sandwiches for help with math homework created a bond. The two became friends. As the semester continued, they spent more time together. They both tried to hide their feelings for each other until they could no longer. Their sparks began to show during Thanksgiving break when both returned home. Cierra’s mom caught her smiling at her phone. She asked, “who are you talking to?” From that day forward it was clear they were more than friends. Once they returned, they spent more time together. No one knew about their true feelings for each other, but that didn’t last long. February 15th, 2013 (because Valentine’s day was too cliché), Robert officially asked Cierra to be his girlfriend. It was during this time, the two decided to move forward in life together as more than friends. The foundations of a true love was born. Robert played Adorn by Miguel the night of his relationship proposal and they fell in love with the song. The semesters they shared together went by fast. What remained was memories of a triumphant team. During the track season, they got to see each other live their dreams. Earning Big Ten medals and All-American honor awards while representing one of the best Big Ten collegiate teams is a chapter they’ll never forget.

Like many college athletes, the student athlete experience came to a quick end. A few torn hamstrings and a knee surgery took them away from the track lanes. It was during this tough time that their love grew through supporting each other to overcome pain. After Robert graduated college in 2015, their relationship transitioned to long distance for five years. Between many moves, schedule conflicting shifts, and a monthly airline ticket, Robert and Cierra finally settled in Atlanta.  Every Sunday, the two would have dinner with their FRAM-I-LY [Friends who are more like family]. On October 20, 2019, Robert and the guys pretended to have prepared a dinner. Cierra, along with the other ladies, waited patiently to know what the fellows had cooked. She unknowingly was the only one blindfolded, as the other ladies were in on the surprise. With each step Robert escorted Cierra through long hallways and twisted staircases to reach the sounds of a saxophonist. The group got quiet and all she could hear was the melody of the song Adorn by Miguel (their favorite song). As the saxophone stopped playing, and the blind fold was removed, Cierra stood inside a heart made of rose petals. The heart was surrounded by candles, smiling friends, and Robert down on one knee with a ring.