I delivered a Valentine’s Day gift to the barbershop where Cortez worked. He told the other barber days later that he was interested in getting to know me. Sergio passed the message on to me. I gave him permission to give Cortez my number. At that time, I wasn’t looking for anything serious because I freshly out of a long term relationship. We began dating, getting to know each other, talking on the phone non stop + texting throughout the day all day. I started to let my guard down just a little. Cortez showed me a different way of dating—he took his time with me and I needed that. I needed to heal from my previous relationship as well as learn to love myself again. I didn’t want to lose myself like before because it affects your relationship. I found myself enjoying being around him, seeing his face gave me butterflies , hearing his voice, dates + I could totally be myself with him. I didn’t have to pretend. At that point, I knew he was the one and 8 years later here we are! We’re getting married—he’s my boy bestfriend, my lover, my protector + MY PERSON!