Sometimes, the most extraordinary connections bloom in the most unexpected places. For us, it all began at my tattoo shop – I was navigating a challenging period, using my art as an outlet to express past pain and grief, appropriately "inflicted" on human canvases. While I still tattoo as a professional hobby, it's no longer the vessel for moving emotions it once was. Now, it’s purely an interest and supplement to a more fulfilling life; a life I never would have imagined without Shelita. — Truth be told, my shop was struggling, so I was desperately trying to activate the space and bring life to the corner it occupied. When two young entrepreneurs approached me about hosting a high-end thrift store pop-up event in the space. I was all in. Little did I know, that decision would lead directly to our future. After a long day of tattooing, I was getting prepped for the role of gracious host for the evening's event when grace itself walked through the door. Accompanying my apprentice and a mutual acquaintance, Shelita arrived. From the moment our eyes met, there was an undeniable pull. We exchanged subtle smiles and occasional glances until, as if on cue, the crowd parted, creating a path for a proper introduction. Thankfully, my feet didn't fail me, and the rest, as they say, is history. Our first official date was on New Year's Eve, a night that perfectly set the stage for our spirited connection. As we headed to a party at Cat's Cradle, I playfully declared, "To the people, You're my wife tonight, and I shall treat you accordingly." Without missing a beat, Shelita jumped right in, and a melody of mirthful banter ensued. We even made pseudo-nostalgic references to moments we'd yet to share, joking about still being attracted to each other "after all these years" and how glad we were that we finally made a date after several failed attempts. It was clear from the start that our chemistry was something special.

Our path to forever wasn't a sudden bolt of lightning but a beautiful, gradual realization. A pivotal moment came during a dinner date at "Château de Bri," an exclusive "frozen-themed" restaurant overlooking my neighborhood’s tree line. Our host that evening was none other than my eldest daughter – our self-appointed matchmaker – who decided it was high time we moved beyond friendship. This was a pretty big step, considering just a few months prior, the same daughter had intentionally left Shelita locked out of the shop, taking no effort to notify me, her dad, because on the other side of the glass door was "the lady getting a little too close”. Thankfully, a shift in paradigm, now she's one of our biggest supporters! Beyond our love story, we've been instrumental in each other's life paths and career journeys. When we met, Shelita knew me as an artist, teacher, and a part-time coach. These days I'm a proud coach, still educating, shaping young lives while doing what I love. Likewise, when we met, she was in a purely transactional role at a bank, feeling unfulfilled; offering her healing hands to friends and family in her spare time. Now she thrives as an intuitive bodyworker and entrepreneur, following a passion for healing that she kept close to her heart. What we cherish most about each other is the balance and direction we bring to one another's lives. We offer each other safety, security, uplift, and, most importantly, the grace to live, love, heal, and grow into the next versions of ourselves. Shelita is my healer and unwavering cheerleader, and I, her devoted coach. I strive to inspire her highest self, lift her out of moments of fear and doubt. She, in turn, gracefully refuels my spirit each day with unbounded love, compassion, and energy.

The proposal was a total surprise to Shelita, though our friends and family were all in on the secret. We coordinated to reinvent the classic proposal scene from the famed '90s hit show Martin, creating a moment that was uniquely US and filled with joy. Check out our rendition below As we eagerly anticipate our wedding day and embark on this new chapter, our greatest hope is that our bond will nourish the very soil of our home, like the sunshine and rain, fostering an environment where everyone within it grows stronger, forever looking toward the sun with unwavering belief in themselves, deeply rooted in ancestral connection and God's love for us all, through one another.