During the summer of 2015, Marcus and Olivia began their unknown, lifetime journey together. Before the lovebirds met, they were fulfilling their own educational and professional goals. Marcus, who is now a licensed Architect, was an Intern Architect in Richmond, VA and Olivia was fulfilling her last year of graduate studies at Hampton University. Marcus and Olivia met through a mutual friend and after texting and telephonically communicating for a couple of weeks, Marcus asked Olivia out for their first date on August 22, 2015. They dined at an intimate Italian Restaurant and afterwards saw the movie Straight Outta Compton. They instantly clicked and continued seeing one another despite the long distance from Hampton to Richmond. After a year of dating and with Olivia's support, Marcus relocated to Spartanburg, South Carolina to advance his architectural career and the two pledged to keep their love going. Marcus and Olivia are both Hampton graduates and attended school during the same time period, yet their paths never crossed. Reflecting back, they realized they were in the same vicinity on many occasions but God had the perfect plan and timing for these two to meet. For this very reason, what God joins together, let no man separate. Matthew 19:6.

Unbeknownst to Olivia, she thought her parents and sister were taking her out for an early birthday celebration. Olivia's dad told the family to dress nice because they were dining at Bond 45, which is an elegant, upscale restaurant, at the National Harbor in Ft. Washington, Maryland. After Olivia and her family arrived down at the Harbor, she and her sister Stasi, were conversing with one another as they followed her parents when she realized her parents had led her to a sandy area. Olivia wondered why her mom directed her to the sand when the restaurant was in the opposite direction. As she turned in the direction of the Potomac, she saw her beloved Marcus dressed in a suit, waiting patiently for her. Olivia did not know that Marcus had traveled the week before from South Carolina to Maryland to ask Olivia's dad, Elton, for her hand in marriage. On this particular day, June 24, 2017, Marcus flew up from South Carolina to surprise his special lady. Surprised and confused, Olivia slowly walked to Marcus as he proclaimed how much Olivia meant to him and how much he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. He got down on one knee and popped the question! "Will you marry me?!" Olivia responded with eyes full of tears, "YES!" The happy couple was then greeted by both families and received well wishes and applauses from nearby strangers. Overjoyed and elated; the two joined their families for an intimate celebratory dinner.