We're getting Married y'all!

It was different from the beginning. We matched on Bumble, I never spoke, and the match deactivated. Although Julian says he extended the match, giving me an additional 24 hrs to speak to him, I never saw it. About 2 weeks later, there he was on my Facebook friend request list. Somehow I remembered his picture and matching on Bumble! Good sign! I accepted his friend request and waited for the DM! LOL! His message was direct yet respectful, the way a woman would want a strange man to approach her. I can't lie, I was not going to respond! No man had ever messaged me as such and I was nervous but, like I said it was different from the beginning. After exchanging messages in Facebook Messenger for almost 2 weeks and Julian asking me twice for my phone number, I gave it to him. Y'all, he called me when he said he would and it's been on ever since that Monday night! We decided to meet the next night at a neighborhood bar and we talked for 3 hours straight. This man was staring me in my eyes! I will NEVER forget the way he gazed and smiled at me as we talked about everything you typically talk about on first dates plus more! It was obvious that neither of us wanted the night to end. For the next 3 days, we were inseparable and we both even took a half day on Friday to go the movies and eat chicken wings. Like I said, it was different from the beginning, this man had me eating chicken wings with him in public on the 3rd date! It's been organic from the beginning! Julian's and my love has always been easy, even when it wasn't. We each have a very special guardian angel and my heart will always believe that our union is because of them. They each knew how "special" we are and how we needed another "special" person to love us in a way that only each of us could. Two souls brought into this world 15 minutes apart, destined to be together, found each other, and will undoubtedly live the rest of their days together laughing at randomness and hopping in the car for their next adventure! As Julian knows, I will always be in awe of us!

"It goes down in the DM" - Yo Gotti After not having any luck in what you would consider a traditional way of meeting, we did as most people do in this day and age. We went online! Bumble to be exact... Dawn matched but didn't want to follow the rules set in place within the app and message first! After being patient and extending her time to give her another opportunity, I took matters into my own hands. It wasn't too hard to find her on Facebook as I couldn't imagine too many Dawn's that went to Howard University in the Dallas metroplex. After a few moments of browsing, there she was! The initial message was direct and respectful. When she finally responded saying she was flattered and was interested in us conversing, it was GAME ON! We went back and forth in the inboxes for a while before she was bold enough to give me her number. After a few conversations, she agreed to meet at Lion & Crown in Addison. First impressions are lasting ones. I remember being nervous but excited. I'd done too much to get this woman's attention and I wasn't about to lose it now. We must have talked about everything under the sun in the initial 3hr meeting and those were the best Sprites that we've ever had! Neither of us wanted the evening to end. At that moment we knew something was there and we wanted to see more of each other. When I realized this woman was all that I prayed for in a partner (attentive, attractive, goal and family oriented, has a relationship with the Lord but not holier than thou), I knew this was the woman for me. I prayed that this woman would be embraced by my crazy family and more importantly, still love me after meeting these people. All these prayers were answered and then some!

The road trip was supposed to end after a week in Hilton Head, SC. Dawn had met the entire family but had yet to meet Aunt Paulette. I wasn't going to be this close to her and not see her. Afterall, it had been almost 3 years since I saw her. Richmond was ultimately added to the list of places to go. All my aunts and uncles, cousins and friends knew it was coming during the trip but didn't know when. Hell, I didn't know either! When we got to Atlanta, I got a chance to talk to Uncle Hersey face to face and get his blessing on the union. After arriving safely in Hilton Head, I ultimately talked to Bernice about this. I still don't think I ever asked her for Dawn's hand in marriage! I remember showing her the ring and saying its going to happen while in Richmond. She smiled and simply said "OK!" While in Hilton Head/Savannah, I began playing phone tag with Lola trying to get her creative input on ways to make this a special day. A couple text messages and conversations later, I had her vote of confidence and she reassured me this was going to go over great... While in Richmond, Aunt Paulette and Dawn hit it off instantly. The entire time, Aunt Paulette and her friends are working behind the scenes securing photographers and getting roses. Dawn always told me whenever I do it, make sure the moment is captured. I understood the assignment! After church we went to Sunday Park. We walked around taking in the beautiful scenery until I found the perfect spot. Overlooking some body of water with the best scenery seemingly overlooking the world I was about to promise to her, I recapped our relationship and how thankful I am that we crossed paths. I expressed how happy she makes me and how my family loves her. I was starting to tear up so I had to hurry and get it over with! After taking a deep breath, I professed my love and asked. The tears began to flow and the loudest scream came out! I didn't know Dawn could jump that high, either! (There's proof of this amazing leap)