Shannon’s story Charles grew up in the neighborhood as my brother Damon’s best friend, but he was also good friends with my brother Kenny. I only knew Charles as a skinny, shy and quiet young boy who would come to our front door and ask if my brother Damon was home. We never interacted on any other level than that, but I could still tell that he had little crush on me. I left home at the age of 23 and returned years later with my two kids Tre and Jamera having to start life over again. Because Charles was my brother's best friend, we would often see each other at family gatherings. I was very impressed as he had grown much taller and had those broad shoulders that I like…and of course, that killer smile. We would greet one another with a hug and a slight hand squeeze and make quick glances at one another from across the room. I wondered many days if he would ever ask me out. It had to have been Divine intervention as two kindred souls were drawn together one evening when we were having family karaoke. I decided to dedicate a song to Charles while he was outside talking with the guys. My sister-in-law Felicia ran outside and told him to come in. So, I sang to him and out of nowhere, this very reserved lady reached over and gave him a kiss. That was the beginning of the beautiful relationship we have today. We entered one another's lives when we were going through very difficult times. Over a period of three years, we lost both our parents and he lost his baby sister. It's funny how God works, He can bring you sunshine, even in the middle of a storm. Charles’ story For most of my life, I would always hear the words “I have met the girl or woman of my dreams, or I’m marrying the girl or woman of my dreams”. Those words were never uttered from my mouth until now. I have known Shannon and her family for well over 40 years now. We grew up two blocks from one another. I am good friends with her brother Kenny and best friends with her brother Damon. During those preteen and teenage years, I would go over to their house to get Damon, so we could play football or basketball in the neighborhood. When I would knock on the door, almost every time, this pretty girl would answer the door. No other words were spoken between us other than, hi Shannon, is Damon home? I would see nothing but a small crack in the door and that pretty little face. She would speak, then go and get her brother. The next time I would go over there, I was hoping that he didn’t answer the door 😊. Just to see her face for those few seconds was priceless. High school years and young adult years had gone by. Relationships had come and gone, and I would see her at their family gatherings. Nothing more than a hug and a hello, until her sister Tracy’s 50th birthday party. She asked me to dance. I was speechless for one, and for two…I had never danced but maybe once in my life before then, but I did that night with her. After that night…nothing! Cinderfella’s carriage went back to the pumpkin that night, but I did smile for two weeks😊. More years passed by and unspeakable grief happened in my life and a lot of heartbreak happened in hers. Shared grief is what brought us together. Over the past 4 years, we have formed a relationship that only God could bring together. Never say never in life, just trust and believe in Him! In the midst of all my grief, I know that He sent her to me. Only God!