WE'RE GETTING MARRIED

Using the search bar on Twitter, I spent my weeks before the start of college searching any hashtag, I could think of to find other students attending Oakland University. When I finally did find a page dedicated to Oakland University students, I was excited since I did not go off to college with any friends or family, I was a first generation college student, I was going into my dorm room completely blind, and I knew my ability to be successful would be what I made it and I'd need people to lean on throughout my experience. I began to follow other incoming freshmen students on twitter and asked those students to follow me back. Cortez happened to be one of those students - marking our first date of contact: August 2nd, 2013. When we finally arrived on campus – it took about a week before we officially crossed paths. When we did cross paths, I remember it like it was yesterday. I was entering Hamlin Hall (the freshman dorm) and he was exiting the building with a few friends – I held the door open for the group and one of the guys happened to be him. We knew it right away when we locked eyes. The world slowed down – my heart skipped a beat. It was like a scene straight from a movie. I rushed to my room to find a text from him saying “I just saw you.” From that day forward we were pretty inseparable and thoroughly enjoyed one another’s company (still do!). From waking up early going to the cafeteria on campus to eat breakfast together, walking one another to our classes, staying up late doing homework, random midday naps in the dorm, and bonding on campus during the dead weekends when everyone else went home - where we admittedly fell out of hammocks A LOT and apparently began to fall in love, a little.

We met our freshman year of college at Oakland University in 2013. From our very first interaction we were instantly drawn towards one another. Something about being around one another gave us both a sense comfort in such a new environment. We quickly became close friends and definitely leaned on one another a lot during our transition from high school kids to college adults on the brink of a new journey just trying to figure things out. We originally thought we were complete opposites( which we were lol) but as we continued to get to know one another and took the time to really dive deeper into each other we discovered we actually had a lot more in common than we thought. Her dynamic personality was something that really intrigued me and kept things with her quite interesting to say the least lol. She was so carefree and sweet with such a pure heart which I absolutely loved about her. We didn’t quite know what type of role we would play in each other’s lives or the overall impact we would both have on one another but there was definitely an undeniable spark between us. When we reminisce on our time together we always laugh about how crazy our journey together has been but we always agree that it was all worth it in the end to be able to say we have our person. She is my world and I’m excited that we get to continue this journey together as we add on to our love story.

In the meantime, here's what you need to know: Cortez's 25th birthday is also the day he decided to propose. We showed up at his parents home - for what I thought would be a socially distanced 25th birthday party in the backyard. When we get to the house, Cortez was immediately pulled off to the side by family, excited about the party, needing his help, and wanting to show him some of the guest who had arrived. I on the other hand was pulled aside by Cortez's stepdad who has always pulled me aside to have chats and check-ins. Family gatherings always include these different elements in them - so I thought nothing of it when I was led through the back door after my chat to where the party was suppose to be taking place. I found myself walking onto a deck full of family, both his and mine, tons of rose petals, a videographer, music, and Cortez. Front, center, confident. He led me to the center of the deck, he slowed the world down with a touch of his hand, he talked to me softly keeping me calm from the initial shock, he took his time with his words and his speech - giving us some intimacy even in the midst of our friends and family, and he got down on one knee...said my full name...and asked "Will You Marry Me?"

❤️Good God, God is good. I must start there because without Him none of this would be possible. He has blessed this union for years — even before I SAID YES. ❤️At 18, Cortez & I met when we were freshmen in college back in 2013 (actually yall, he was still 17 when we first met 😂 I emphasize this every time we tell our origin story lol!) ❤️At 20, we began dating/talking more consistently in 2015 ❤️At 22, we settled down & made it official in 2017 ❤️At 24, we moved in together into our first apartment in 2019 ❤️At 25, WE BOUGHT A HOUSE AND GOT ENGAGED in 2020 ❤️We think about all the blossoming relationships & cute couples forming around us during our freshman year in college & would have never thought we would be one of the only ones from that class to build what we have today. our process took it’s time & we didn’t always appreciate it then, but we embrace it now. because there’s no time limit on laying a lifetime foundation. If it’s happy AND healthy it’s worth it — we’re living proof ❤️☯️