Who would've thought that when Ajia asked her realtor for a painter, it would lead to love. In August 2023, Ajia hired Joe for a cabinet paint job for a set of rental properties. While Joe was only hired to paint the cabinets, after a time, he began volunteering to help Ajia do other tasks to prepare the properties for tenants – oftentimes for free. Ajia’s mother asked, “does he like you?” to which Ajia replied, “I don’t think so!” For two months, the two worked together closely – sometimes well into the night, filling the time with laughter and conversations about their families, hopes for the future and their faith. It was a stressful time for Ajia and Joseph offered grounding, encouragement and prayer. In October, Ajia reciprocated that care by offering Joe a homecooked meal for his help. In true to Black woman form, she spent all day cooking smothered pork chops, red beans and rice, cabbage and a sweet potato pie. She brought the food to the properties that evening to enjoy after their work was complete. He responded with “Imma have to shoot my shot!” Five months later Joe flew to California to ask Ajia’s father for her hand in marriage. On March 30th, in front of Ajia’s dad and stepmom, Joe asked Ajia to marry him. At 47 and 46, neither Joe nor Ajia have ever been married - not because they never had the opportunity, but because neither believed that anyone else was worth the gamble. Until they met each other. When you know, you know....