How We Met We first met back in grad school at Georgia State University in 2012, where we were in the same graduate program — but neither of us pursued each other at the time. Fast forward a decade later, in October 2022, when a simple Instagram message reconnected us — and this time, it felt refreshing and long overdue. 🌟 First Date At the start, we weren’t even in the same city — Shayla in Atlanta and Jelani in Houston. About a month after reconnecting, Shayla flew to Houston, and we went to a local restaurant where we shared our first kiss. The conversation flowed so easily that night, and we both knew there was something special. After that trip, we decided to make it official, and from there we consistently traveled back and forth to see each other over the two years we dated long distance. Even with different time zones and busy schedules, we always made the effort to show how important we were to each other. The chemistry was instant, and the connection felt organic, as if no time had ever passed. 💍 The Proposal In December 2024, on the beach in Cabo, Mexico, Jelani got down on one knee and asked Shayla to marry him. For Shayla, it was the perfect surprise — a beautiful setting, filled with excitement and love. For Jelani, it was a mix of nerves and joy, but once he dropped to one knee, the moment became real, tangible, and forever: a promise to choose each other every day. 💌 The Relationship Our relationship is built on true partnership. We love traveling, staying active, trying new restaurants, cooking together, and spending time with friends. We motivate each other, bring a calming balance, and have become each other’s greatest support system. One of our favorite milestones was ending the long-distance chapter: in January 2025, after the proposal, we packed up Jelani’s things, road-tripped from Houston to Atlanta, and began building our new life together in the same city. 🎉 Looking Ahead As we step into this next chapter, we’re most excited about being lifelong partners — continuing to travel, building a family, and creating a life full of love, laughter, faith, and adventure. Most importantly, we want our family and friends to know how grateful we are for the love and support that has shaped us. Our relationship is built on a strong foundation, and we can’t wait to celebrate our wedding day surrounded by the people who mean the most to us.