My mom has known me all my life (lol) & Michael for 22yrs and with that info she was insistent that we would be a great fit for each other (I wasn't feeling the idea...it’s my mom, lol). With that feeling she was going do whatever she could, in her power, to get us to meet as she played “matchmaker”. One day while in the kitchen cooking, I hear my mom inviting someone to dinner, it was Michael. He and I spoke briefly & he declined the invite (he was out of town). He stated that he would call me upon his return (he did) and we planned a date. On our 1st date there weren’t fireworks; however, there was mutual attraction, good conversation, and laughter. After that date we began to hang out & talk on the phone. For about 2 months of steady dating, learning each other & growing together we decided to be in a committed relationship. We began to travel in & out of state. First to Tulsa, OK for Black Wall Street Bombing Centennial, May 2021. I rode my motorcycle; he rode in the truck with my mom, sister and cousin. Next trip was with his granddaughters & my goddaughters to DMV, July 2021, in addition several trips to Augusta. Like most relationship we hit a roadblock. Our roadblock was trying to understand these feeling we had toward each other in only 2mths alarmed us both. This alarm became fear and with that fear came “self-preservation” mode, so we broke up. We stop conversing (with the exception of when our paths crossed @ his mom's) for about 5 months, until Mar 2022. His mom told him about a death in my family and he called me. That call opened the door for another call and him checking on me as I traveled to KY for the funeral. I was guarded, yet knew I loved him. We continued to talk on the phone after I came back and one Sunday morning, he surprised me by coming to my church. We started dating casually in April and he expressed that he didn't want to date casually, nor date anyone else. He told my mom if he gets me back, he wasn't letting me go! I was however (still in self-preservation mode); afraid of not knowing and not sure if he was serious. So, I told him that I didn't want to be in a relationship and for him to date other people. I was saying that out of my mouth, but my actions were contrary, because I spent my free time with him, and we conversated every day for hours. Nonetheless, I was reluctant to put a title on us, trying to "let it be" a statement he had stated to me (on our 1st go-round). I thought I was controlling the situation and protecting myself. Sike...lol. While on vacation with my family in Puerto Vallarta, MX (July 2022), he and I talked, I mentioned that I missed him and wished he was here. The next thing I knew, he was texting me a plane ticket picture and a day later a call from the Puerto Vallarta airport...when I got there to pick him up and saw him, I knew he was serious. I finally understood and believed he was a safe place (still do). A place I could be my authentic self and he himself. A man I could trust, a good guardian of my heart and love. I believed he knew his heart and love was safe with me (still do) and that I would cherish & honored them both and him! I'm Grateful to the LORD for touching both our hearts to trust in HIM, in Love, in forgiveness and allowing us to Be. Who knew...(lol) GOD and obviously my mom whom GOD whispered to. WHAT IS Meant to Be...Will Be and we are BEing as we walk into Our New BEginning!