Derick’s Story Derick met Naomi at a dinner in honor of a Bethel speaker and his wife at the Vincent’s on Sunday, 10/29/23. This gathering became the unexpected starting point of a beautiful relationship. Derick’s first impression of Naomi happened months before. He occasionally saw her at the Kingdom Hall with her daughter, Nyra. Derick admired Naomi's beauty but was deeply moved by the way she was with her daughter. As a father himself, he valued someone with motherly instincts and a caring personality. These observations planted a seed of interest in his heart. A standout moment was when Naomi showed up to support him after his grandmother’s death. This act of kindness and empathy made him realize how special she was. He also cherished the times when she let down her guard and allowed him into her heart. Their first date in Jersey City revealed a deep connection and many shared interests. Derick made sure Naomi knew he was serious about their relationship by being consistent and open with his feelings. Derrick also learned to be patient and trust Naomi’s words, putting his heart in her hands. Naomi always showed up for Derick. One memorable instance was when she helped him practice his Bible reading, providing support and encouragement. Her unwavering love solidified Derick’s belief that she was the one. The proposal happened spontaneously at a friend’s karaoke event. In the middle of the event, Derick decided it was the perfect moment. He confided in his friend Patrick, who had been keeping the engagement ring. Derick proposed to Naomi, making the evening unforgettable for both of them. Just getting started …their journey from the initial meeting at Vincent’s home to the spontaneous proposal was filled with love, support and shared experiences that brought them closer together, paving the way for a future filled with promise and happiness. “Every love story is beautiful … but ours is my favorite.” Naomi’s Story It was a crisp evening in October 2023, and I was a hostess at a dinner at the Vincent's. The atmosphere was lively, filled with the aroma of diverse dishes and conversation. Among the chefs preparing their dishes, one in particular caught my eye, a handsome man preparing Mango Chow. His confidence and ease in the kitchen led me to assume he was married so I decided to leave it at that and focused on my hosting duties. As the evening progressed, our paths crossed a few times. By the end of the event, much to my surprise, he approached me. He asked if we could keep in touch, handing me his number and promising to text me later. I received a text from him that very evening. After a few days of texting, he asked if he could call me, and from there, our relationship began to blossom. Our first date was at a restaurant in Jersey City. Over a delicious meal, we discovered how much we had in common—our work, spiritual goals and our kids. The conversation lasted for hours, and it became evident that a deeper connection was forming. Building our relationship wasn't without its challenges. Derick knew early on that he wanted to be with me, but it took me a bit longer to accept my feelings for him, despite knowing I liked him. The turning point came during his grandmother's memorial talk. After the service, we went to dinner where his spiritual aunt shared stories about him, painting a picture of a man I couldn't help but fall for even harder. It was then that I knew he was the one. Derick's proposal was as unexpected as it was perfect. We were out with friends, enjoying a night of karaoke. In the midst of laughter and singing, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Filled with joy, I said yes, marking the beginning of our forever together. "When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."