It was July 2024, and I was sitting in the cafeteria waiting for the principal to introduce the new teachers. I wasn’t expecting anything special, just another meeting to start the school year. Then he called her name, and everything changed. The moment I saw her, something clicked. I didn’t know her yet, but I knew I had to meet her. After the meeting, I tried to find her classroom but couldn’t. Looking back, that was probably for the best, because she had an unwanted guest, her ex! Later that day, during a training session, I saw my opportunity. I sat right next to her and pretended I needed help on the computer just to start a conversation. What started as a small moment turned into something real. The conversation felt easy, natural like we had known each other longer than we had. I sent her a friend request on Facebook, and once she accepted, I made sure to get her attention in my own way playfully calling myself her “biggest hater.” Somehow, it worked. We started messaging, then talking on the phone, and before long, we were talking for hours without ever running out of things to say. As we got to know each other, we realized how much we had in common. Our birthdays are only a week apart, we both graduated from Fort Valley State University, and we both earned our master’s degrees from Georgia College. Even crazier, we had lived just two miles from each other and never crossed paths. It made us realize that timing really is everything. Our first date was Five Guys, nothing fancy, just real. It wasn’t planned; she was hungry, and we went with it. That moment showed us we didn’t need anything extra to enjoy each other’s company. Around that same time, life kept aligning us in unexpected ways. I attended a church service to support a coach and ended up winning a gift card, only to find out it was her church. It felt like more than coincidence. Eventually, I met her daughter, and from the start, we connected. That’s when I realized I wasn’t just building something with her; I was becoming part of something bigger. But not everything was perfect. At one point, she told me I was just one of the “eggs in her basket,” and we took a step back. Still, we found our way back to each other, stronger and more intentional than before. For her birthday, I recreated a special tradition from her grandmother, a lemon pound cake, a $20 bill, and scratch-off tickets. When she saw it, she cried, and in that moment, I knew I had reached her heart. Around that same time, everything in my life seemed to align, but more importantly, I found peace and clarity with her. As time went on, I knew I was ready. I spoke with my family, then asked her parents and sister for their blessing. Finally, I talked to her daughter and assured her I wasn’t trying to take her mom away, I wanted us to become one. With the help of loved ones, I planned the perfect proposal. She thought we were going to a surprise party, but on December 23, the surprise was on her, that’s the day she said yes. Now, here we are. What we’ve learned is that this wasn’t luck or coincidence, this was timing, alignment, and God. And this is only the beginning. See you at the altar FUTURE Mrs. Harvey!

It was July 2024, and before meeting Tavan, I was going through the trenches with this thing we call "dating". Baby, when I say trenches… I mean the dating pool was terrible! Absolutely terrible! Filled with nothing but noodle-back dudes who meant me no good. I was tired, okay? Exhausted. Ready to clock out. Then here comes Tavan. One random day, he did what most guys do, found me on social media and sent a friend request. Now let’s be clear… I was SO close to hitting decline, but something told me, “Girl… just see.” So, I said, “Lord, if he not about nothing, remove him quick.” Why I gave him a chance? I still don’t know, but it was something that I just had to see what he was about. So, boom, I’m minding my business, posting my cute little pictures on my Facebook stories, feeling myself just a little bit… and here he comes. Every. Single. Time. In my DMs talking about he’s my “biggest hater.” Sir… what? I’m not even going to lie, I was blushing, giggling, and acting like I wasn’t entertained all at the same time, but still replying with something cute and a little slick. Next day? I post again! Here he comes again! I said, “Oh, he’s consistent… okay.” So, I told myself, the next time I see him in the hallway, I’m going to say something. Well… I walked up, spoke to him, and when I tell you he gave me the meanest mug I have EVER seen… I almost took my hello back, but instead, I hit him with, “That’s why you’re going to lose that championship,” and walked off like I did something. Honey, ain't did nothing because he came back with something slick, and I clutched my pearls. Fast forward, he kept sliding, and I kept smiling. Eventually, he asked me on a date. Now what he DIDN’T tell me was that this “date” was about to turn into a whole weekend in Atlanta that was fully planned out. If you know Tavan, you KNOW that man does not like driving in Atlanta. So right then, I said, “Oh… he might be a little serious.” Now I’m not even going to lie, that whole weekend, I was getting treated like never before, I mean wined and dined. I was shocked and something in me bossed up, and I had to started giving him the hardest time. Just felt like I had been here before, and doing the same song and dance. Not knowing, that this was something different, I was simply scared! Tavan was serious and I couldn't see it fully. Until when we got back to Warner Robins and I had to pray and wrestle with my own thoughts. I had ditched him and told him couldn't do it. Just playing hard to get...lol Tavan wasn't with the games, real man moves, and he hit me with a "the ball in your court." I could've cried! We get to work that Monday and here he comes walking down the hallway one day. Fresh haircut. Looking good. Walking like he didn't KNOW he look good. With a Jimmy Johns Sub! And I said, “Wait a minute…” I had to rethink my whole decision, because ain’t no way I was about to let somebody come pick up MY teddy bear after I just dropped him off. Absolutely not! So, I made my move. I sent that man some balloons and a candy bouquet. Yes, I did. Don’t judge me! He accepted them, (I sent them secretively...lol). I had pulled a Tyler Perry "Why Did I Get Married" move, we talked and we did something that most folks don't do, and that was PRAY! When that happened, everything started falling into place, and it felt so real after I put me and my past thoughts on love behind. From then to now, he is my best friend, my praying partner, and my favorite Coach to watch on the sidelines! I love me some Tavan S. Harvey. God knew not only what I needed, but Avah as well. She loves her some Papa Harvey and sometimes I get jealous, but that's what I love about their relationship, they have such a PERFECT ONE! And now look at us… From “biggest hater" to forever lovers! See you at the altar Mr. Harvey!