Welcome to our love story!

The couple met on a beautiful fall morning on SIUE’s campus. The groom reported for his first day of work in the Student Resource Center when he noticed the most gorgeous brown skinned redbone he’d ever laid eyes on—his future bride. This had to be orchestrated by his Creator because he saw this same queen the day before singing in the choir at Mt. Joy Baptist Church. That was his first time visiting, but he had to come back. Yeah, the Word was good, but shorty in the blue blouse and pencil skirt—his future bride—might’ve been better. Fast forward 22 hours, and there she was working in the same place as him. Unbeknownst to him, Rhandi had recognized Jeremiah from the service the previous day and decided she would make connection since he was clearly an unfamiliar face. She introduced herself and made a light joke in which Jeremiah being himself turned that joke on her.  This made for a great story they’d laugh over in their futures. Rhandi had eventually found employment elsewhere but the two coworkers had become friends. She helped introduce Jeremiah to Edwardsville. Over the next year and a half, their friendship took off. They realized they could talk about anything for hours on end and have a good time together in social settings. They even met in the library some nights to study and do work— they were hyper focused on their individual goals. So they remained friends while Rhandi began her career as a teacher in Collinsville, IL and Jeremiah finished his Master’s degree. When it was time for the groom to leave Illinois to chase his goals, he realized there was something—rather someone—he couldn’t leave behind. The groom refused to be “friend-zoned” by the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on, and it became clear Rhandi didn’t want him there either. Their connection was strong, and they started dating despite the distance. During that chapter of their relationship, there were some inevitable ups and downs, but their friendship and love for each other sustained them.  Their differences that once intrigued these friends became a source of conflict for the two young adults with vastly different backgrounds, but their love persevered. There was a period where their relationship was off and on and then a long OFF again. Despite that back and forth they were always there for each other in one way or another, and like magnets they came back together because love never fails. And their love is one that will ALWAYS be there. After much growth, the two came to their senses and realized they were supposed to be together, and the solution to their conflict was honesty, communication, and most importantly keeping God in the middle of their relationship—through the ups and the downs.  On May 26, 2024 while on a trip to Houston with her sorority sisters, Rhandi thought she was headed to the final event on the ladies’ itinerary, but the groom had other plans. With the help of his big sister, both their mothers and Rhandi’s sorors, what the bride thought was an Escape room challenge, turned out to be an intimate setting with her mom, a host of relatives from Chicago, and the groom’s entire family. He proposed. She said, “abso-f*ckin-lutely,” and the rest, as they say, is history.