Marcus and Denesha initially met as members of the Youth Ministry "F.I.R.S.T." at New Hope Baptist Church. They both participated in programs and different ministries as children, but only encountered each other casually in passing. Each graduated high school and departed Houston for higher education, both earning bachelor's degrees. Upon Marcus' return to New Hope in 2011, the church was in a transitioning period, moving into a new property on Langley Road of Northeast Houston. Their pastor, Rev. Tracy S. Phillips, decided to have Denesha and Marcus work together with other members of the congregation in a group he called "Team New Hope" in preparation of this move. The two became friends due to being the only young adults on the team. Their friendship led to frequent phone chats and later casual dates. Marcus found out that Denesha's favorite cuisine is Mexican food so for their first date he took her to Cafe Adobe. On October 29, 2012, Marcus decided to make it official with a bag of Cafe Du Monde beignets and a New Orleans mask and asked Denesha to be his girlfriend. The journey has been great, making a full circle with both now working with the Youth Ministry where their adventure first began...

Besides a cruise planned to Mexico the following day in honor of a friend's birthday celebration, this Wednesday seemed like any other. Denesha and Marcus made previous plans that day. Denesha would attend brunch with Amber, church, followed by dinner with Cymone. In between, she would stop by the nail salon and eventually meet up with Marcus. Against the original plan, both ended up arriving separately to Armando's where they would meet Cymone and other family members for dinner. While at dinner, Marcus shared with Denesha that he wished to show her a property as he was considering a move. She thought it was an odd time for him to be moving, but was open to seeing it. After dinner, Denesha joined Marcus in his vehicle to see the property. During the drive, they reminisced about their first date which occurred in the same area nearly six years earlier. The car eventually stopped at the Williams Tower Waterwall. Marcus asked Denesha to step out of the car so that he could show her this new place. Turns out the move he was interested in was not a change of residence, but a move to the next level in their relationship. On that day between the tower and the waterwall with her namesake, Marcus asked Denesha if she would be willing to change her last name from Williams to Grimes and formally asked for hand in marriage. With a face full of tears, she happily said "YES"!