#FINALLYGIVENS

The year was 2006. Samantha’s friend invited her to an event called Kappa Ball. She really did not want to go, but after a little persuading, she realized she had nothing else better to do. Fast forward to the end of the event and that same friend asked Sam if she wanted to go to an after party at…..you guessed it, a guy named Barry’s house. As they walked into this after party they asked, who is this guy Barry? Someone pointed out a guy sitting on the floor eating McDonalds out of the bag with suspenders and a wife beater on. All she could think was , “ Alcohol is a hella of a drug”.....lol. From that moment on he had been placed in the friend zone, not to mention Sam was anti fraternity guys at that time because she thought they were all mistakes waiting to happen. Barry on the other hand saw a challenge and decided to accept that challenge and shot his shot…...and threw up a brick…..multiple times…..LOL

Summer 2008 Barry was preparing to graduate from GA Tech while Samantha was early in her journey at Duke Medical School. Sam was driving back to school from Texas and decided to stop in Atlanta for a few days. As she was going through her phone Barry’s name popped up and she texted him to see what he was up to . They decided to meet up at Atlantic Station and Barry showed up with this guy named Omari. During their chat they found out that not only did Sam know Omari’s girlfriend but they were both in graduate in North Carolina. Samantha saw this as a coincidence, but Barry saw it as a divine play called for him to get another shot off. He proceeded to convince Sam that it was a great idea for him to car pool with Omari next time and come visit her. They hung out a few times in North Carolina, but Sam was still on the fence about him but Barry knew he finally had her right where he wanted her.

Thanksgiving 2008 Sam was bummed because her plans with her Morehouse Brother were canceled and she hates to miss a good meal...lol. When she mentioned what happened to Barry he had this genius idea that she have Thanksgiving with him and his family (Barry for threeeee). In her head she was like this dude is crazy, who invites just a “friend” to Thanksgiving. But they were frying a turkey so she thought what the hell, why not. From the short time she spent with Barry and his family she realized 1)He was very sweet, loving, and caring to those that he loves, 2)He was not the Jiggalo (at least not anymore), that she thought he was, and 3)Maybe this was the answer to her prayers. She talked her friend’s ear off half of the way home that Sunday on her way back to school. That was the beginning of this, crazy, beautiful, sometimes chaotic life that they have created together. Never in a million years did she think she would fall for this guy, but that Thanksgiving Barry finally got a shot to fall. Now they go together!!!

This moves us to Christmas 2011 in Houston Texas. Yes I know what you are thinking, they have been engaged for forever, but now you understand #finallyGivens….lol. While celebrating Christmas Eve with Sam's family, Sam was escorted into the living room…..where Barry was standing surrounded by 20+ of Sam’s family members. Sam stood completely confused and immediately thinks...Aww shit, Barry done messed up and now my family about to jump him….lol. When Barry got on 1 knee, Sam went into complete shock for about a good 5 minutes. She could not remember what he said, or what she did….nada. But all that matters is that she said YES!!!. Sam is extremely nosy and therefore not easily surprised, but he completely blindsided her with this one. With a romantic weekend in Houston planned, Barry swept Sam off her feet and they celebrating the exciting times of Sam being #almostGivens!!! (praise dance).