RobSoLutelyInLuv 2025

In June 2022, fate (and Facebook Dating) brought us together after both of us had been on the platform for just two weeks. From the moment we connected, the spark was undeniable. What started as a casual conversation quickly blossomed into something special, and we've been inseparable ever since. Three weeks into our whirlwind connection, we went on our first date, which perfectly blended tradition and modern charm. Rob took the lead in planning, giving me the privilege of simply showing up. He arranged a romantic day starting with a wine-tasting experience at a cozy vineyard, followed by an intimate dinner on the rooftop of a local restaurant. It was magical—a glimpse into the intentionality and thoughtfulness that would come to define our relationship. Shortly after, life threw a curveball. I shared with Rob that I had a medical procedure coming up that would require substantial recovery time. It wasn’t an easy conversation—I felt the need to offer full disclosure while bracing for how he might react. Rob’s response was instant and heartfelt. He didn’t ask if I needed help; he wanted to know who would be there to care for me during my recovery. As I hesitantly shared my patchwork care plan, Rob didn’t hesitate. He simply said, “After your surgery, I want to take care of you. I’ll take time off work to make sure you have all the support you need.” At first, I was skeptical. Who does that for someone they’d only just met? But the very next day, Rob sent me a copy of the leave request he’d submitted to his job, complete with the dates we’d discussed. In that moment, I knew two things: he was serious about his intentions, and I’d finally met the person I could see myself spending forever with. From that point on, our love only deepened. Every step of the way, Rob has shown me what unwavering commitment and genuine partnership look like. Now, we’re overjoyed to take the next step in our journey together, and we can’t wait to celebrate our love story with all of you!

The night’s festivities were hosted by my sister Rhonda and her husband, JuMaal, two of our dearest friends. Both being sticklers for time, Rob and I got ready early so we could help with any last-minute prep. When Rhonda called saying she was running behind and asked if I wouldn’t mind greeting guests until she was ready, it wasn’t unusual. Excited for the night and eager to help, I said, “Of course!” When we arrived, the caterers—who happened to be two of my best friends—were already set up. The food looked and smelled divine, leaving little for Rob or me to do. So, we set up the games and did some food tasting for quality control purposes, of course! As guests began to arrive, my heart overflowed with gratitude to see the room filled with people I love and do life with. Yet, even in those precious moments, I had no inkling of what was about to unfold. As the evening progressed, we laughed, played games, and soaked up the joy of being together, all while counting down to midnight. By the time we got to the final game, I wasn’t particularly interested—it involved scratching off lottery tickets, and I’ve never considered myself lucky. When tickets were handed out, I realized everyone had one except me. I announced, “I didn’t get one!” JuMaal immediately paused the game, excused himself, and returned with a ticket just for me. Determined to get it right, I studied the instructions on the back like I was preparing for an exam. Once confident, I began scratching the ticket slowly and methodically, cross-referencing the rules to make sure I wasn’t missing anything. Meanwhile, my sister Treece’s off-key declaration of winning $5 motivated me to keep going, albeit at my own cautious pace. Rob, growing impatient, started rushing me. I playfully told him to “calm down” and focused on my ticket. “I got 3 rings!” I exclaimed, but I couldn’t figure out what I had won. By then, the room collectively realized I might need a little help. They encouraged me, voices warm and excited, to scratch the final box. As I did, the words “WILL YOU MARRY ME?” slowly came into view. My heart raced as a million thoughts flooded my mind, replaying every moment of the evening. When I looked up, there was Rob, down on one knee, his eyes full of love, waiting for my answer. And in that perfect, breathtaking moment, surrounded by some of the people we love most, I said yes!

Rob: Months before the actual proposal, I knew deep in my heart that this extraordinary woman was the one I wanted by my side forever—my best friend, my confidante, my wife. From that moment on, I dreamed of creating a proposal as unforgettable and special as she is. Initially, I imagined proposing at church, surrounded by our church family, but after some heartfelt advice from close friends, I decided to take a different path. That decision left me with one big question: How do I make this perfect? True friends are a gift from God, and one of mine, Eshe I-Nesbitt, shared a brilliant idea that became the foundation of my plan. I went to a corner store and picked up about 30 real lottery tickets, then ordered one very special custom ticket designed just for Sabrina. Next came the ring—a symbol of my love and commitment to her. After searching the jewelry store, I found what I thought was the perfect ring. Excited, I shared a picture of it with a group of Sabrina's closest friends. While they agreed it was beautiful, they gently pointed out that something was missing. That’s when Benita sent me a photo of a ring Sabrina had tried on during a vacation. Armed with this new insight, I returned to the store, showed the associate the picture, and asked if they had anything similar. When she revealed a stunning ring that took my breath away, I knew this was the one. I shared the new ring with Sabrina’s friends, and their unanimous excitement confirmed it—it was perfect. With the proposal plan coming together, we worked on the guest list for a New Year’s Eve party hosted by our wonderful friends Rhonda and Jumaal. As the day approached, I could hardly contain my excitement. The entire guest list had been carefully curated for this moment, and everyone except Sabrina was in on the plan. Blissfully unaware, she simply enjoyed the evening, surrounded by friends and family she loved. I decided to propose before the clock struck midnight, sealing our moment on the unforgettable date of 12/31/23—or, as I like to call it, 123123. The night was filled with laughter, delicious food, and joyous games, but inside, my heart raced with anticipation. When the time was right, I gave all the lottery tickets to Rhonda and Jumaal to hand out to the guests as if they were late Christmas gifts. Sabrina’s custom ticket was held back until the very end. As she received it, I watched her scratch it with her usual adorable focus, unaware of what was coming. When she got to the part revealing the question, I quietly stepped back and dropped to one knee, my heart pounding. She froze, her eyes widening as realization set in, and then turned to face me. Though I’d practiced my speech for weeks, my emotions took over. The words didn’t come out exactly as planned, but they came out as us. When I opened the ring box, her gasp—a sound so full of joy—echoed through the room. In that moment, I knew: Got her. She said yes. Surrounded by love, peace, and the promise of forever, I slipped the ring onto her finger. It was the most beautiful night of my life. Sabrina, I love you with all my heart. Here’s to a lifetime of laughter, love, and God’s endless blessings. ❤️

We warmly invite you to an ADULT ONLY, UNPLUGGED Event. To ensure a serene and focused atmosphere, we kindly ask that you leave your little ones at home and keep your phones put away during the CEREMONY. Thank you for helping us create a meaningful and distraction-free experience! RSVP: This event REQUIRES an RSVP. Kindly note that RSVPs are NOT transferable and are valid ONLY for the designated invitee. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to celebrating with you! * Kindly note that RSVPs unclaimed by the requested deadline will be graciously extended to waitlisted guests. Thank you for your understanding and prompt response! Lodging for Out-of-Town Guests: We have arranged accommodation for our out-of-town guests at the Holiday Inn Express in Benicia. For further details, please visit the Travel & Information page. Parking: Convenient parking is available at the venue. We look forward to seeing you there! Dress code: Join us for a celebration of Black love and excellence! We kindly ask that you grace the evening in your FINEST ATTIRE. Elegant evening wear is requested: Gentlemen, a dark suit and tie; Ladies, a gown of modest length. Let’s make this a truly sophisticated and memorable occasion!