Damien and Shakina’s love story began in the summer of 2021. Although we had been Facebook friends for years, Damien would occasionally send little messages one day I finally gave in, responded back, gave him my number, and we started talking. June 2021 Damien asked me out on a date and told me to pick the restaurant. That day, I was craving oysters, so I chose Half Shell Oyster House. He came to pick me up, and we had an amazing time together. Before we left, we made a toast to new beginnings, and that simple moment made my heart smile. On the ride home, he played Love Cycle by Toosii. I remember thinking, “Now why would he play this?” Lol… if you know, you know! When we made it back to my house, we sat outside in the car talking for over an hour. The conversation flowed so naturally, and we ended the night with a kiss. I went inside smiling from ear to ear. The next day, I kept replaying our conversation in my mind, thinking, “Lord, this man is not ready for a relationship… and neither am I.” After that, we texted here and there, and honestly, I gave him a pretty hard time. August 2021 One night, my cousin and I were out at a lounge in Jackson, Mississippi, and guess who I ran into? Damien. He walked over joking and telling my cousin how I had been playing games with him. Somehow, she managed to get us talking again, and from that night on, we rekindled our connection and have been locked in ever since. I took the time to truly get to know Damien for myself instead of listening to what others thought of him. We began spending more time together, going on dates, and simply enjoying each other’s company. Our bond grew stronger with every moment. He turned out to be everything I had prayed for in a man God fearing, an amazing father, handsome, loving, caring, and a true gentleman. October 2021 In October, we made it official. Damien was a single father to two boys, and I was a single mother to one. We decided it was time for the boys to meet, so we planned a bowling date for all of us together. Let’s just say everything went perfectly that day. The boys instantly connected, and from that moment on, we became a family of five and I wouldn’t want it any other way. Our story is proof that real love still exists, and God truly blessed us by bringing us together.