He put a ring 💍 on it!!! A BIG one too 🪨

Man, that last day at the barbershop was wild. The air was a mix of that classic barber smell and a whole lot of "it's over" vibes, you know? I was just chilling, waiting for my final customer before I officially locked up for good. My head wasn't really in the game with packing or those last snips. I was totally focused on my son and starting fresh after my divorce. We were building something new, and that was my absolute priority. Honestly, romance? That was *way* on the back burner. It was just me and my boy, that's it. But then, out of nowhere, I caught a glimpse of someone amazing. This incredible woman walks out of the Wingstop right next door. My eyes kinda just followed her for a second – couldn't help but notice how beautiful she was. But then I shook it off, telling myself to get back to business and wait for my client. A minute later, she was back outside, giving some kids a drink, and I noticed her glance into my shop window before heading back inside WingStop. And then, *again*, she pops out. This time, her eyes met mine, and it wasn't just a quick peek. It was a real, "hey there" kind of look. Something in my head just screamed, "Dude, wave!" And before I even thought about it, my hand just went up, a little "hello." And get this: she smiles, then just walks right into my shop! We kept it super casual, just quick introductions. She told me her name was Mya, and she was an accountant. When she asked if I owned the place, I kinda laughed and said, "One of them, yep!" She even offered me a digital business card and we shook hands. I'm not gonna lie, I was totally smitten. But my head was still all about my kid and our new life. Priorities, you know? But just as quickly as she'd popped in, my last client for the day showed up, cutting our little chat short. So I just said, "Nice to meet you, Mya! If I ever need an accountant, I'll definitely hit you up." Man, God really does have a crazy sense of humor and an awesome plan. What seemed like just a random chat on my very last day at work turned out to be the start of something absolutely incredible. Life's a wild ride, and sometimes, things just align perfectly. I had no idea that day that Mya Byrd, that amazing woman who just walked into my barbershop, would eventually share my last name. She's my loving partner, brings me so much joy (and yeah, sometimes gets on nerves I didn't even know I had! 🤨🤣)

What a day that was – October 13, 2023! Honestly, it kicked off with me wanting nothing more than to just disappear under my comforter. I was completely drained, didn’t want to be bothered, and my bed felt like the only safe haven in the world. But then, Madison and her dear buddy Bailey, started their relentless campaign for WingStop. You know how it goes – those "pleases" just chip away at your resolve until you finally cave. So, against my better judgment, I dragged myself out. Little did I know, this simple, reluctant WingStop run was about to totally reroute my entire life. As I pulled up to the familiar WingStop, something else entirely grabbed my attention: a black-owned salon right next door! I swear, I’ve lived in this neighborhood for three years and had never seen it before. A huge wave of excitement, pride, and just plain curiosity hit me, pulling me forward. Completely on impulse, I walked right up, pressed my hands against the glass, and craned my neck to peek inside. I mean, who expects anyone to be looking back, right? Well, guess what? I found myself looking straight into the eyes of a man and his young son, both staring right back at me! Oh my gosh, my face instantly burned with embarrassment. I practically jumped back, retreating into WingStop’s anonymous embrace, wishing the ground would just open up and swallow me whole. A few minutes later, carrying the drinks for Madison and Bailey (who were patiently waiting in the car), an undeniable impulse hit me. It was this gentle, yet firm whisper, which I now totally believe was divine guidance, urging me: "Go say hello." My mind immediately started listing all the excuses – my messy hair, the awkward peeping incident just moments ago. But something stronger, something I couldn't ignore, pushed me forward. So, I took a deep breath, opened the salon door, and despite still feeling mortified, managed to offer a hesitant greeting and introduce myself. I sheepishly explained my earlier, nosy intrusion and how genuinely thrilled I was to discover a black-owned business in the area. His response completely caught me off guard: it was his very last day! He was just finishing up with a final client and getting ready to hand over the keys. My initial joy quickly deflated with a rush of empathy. I told him how sorry I was to hear that, and then, on another total whim, blurted out that I’m an accountant. I pulled out my digital business card, suggesting he reach out if he ever needed any help with his taxes down the line. We shared a genuine chuckle, chatted for a few minutes about this and that, until his client arrived, which was my cue to leave. At that moment, let me tell you, romance was the absolute last thing on my mind. Seeing him with his son, I naturally assumed he was married. Plus, I’d just finalized my divorce in 2018 and had recently emerged from a rigorous six-month "spring cleaning fast" from all matters of the heart. I was firmly in a season of self-recalibration, not seeking any new connections, especially not with a chance acquaintance met under such peculiar circumstances. How profoundly unaware I was then, that the man I’d just met, Kevin Walker, on a day I desperately wished to avoid, would one day become the love of my life – seriously, a profound answer to my prayers.