The year was 2019 and I was attending the CT Greek Week ecumenical service at Urban Hope Refuge Church. After the service, several of us were taking group photos and talking. I finished a conversation and was looking around the room, and that’s when I saw her. Before I could develop a coherent thought, the Holy Spirit told me to go introduce myself. She was finishing a conversation as I was approaching. I introduced myself and we made small talk. We departed that evening with her wishing me well on the trial I had the next day. Two days later, the CT Greeks assembled for Game Night. I arrived before she did and saw her coming down the stairs entering the party. Part of me was excited to continue our conversation but the other part wanted to play it cool. Overall I was just looking forward to saying hi. As she descended the stairs, she gave everyone a friendly hey… except for me. I was the recipient of a half-hearted incomplete h…. Yes, it sounded just as you read - like an exasperated, partial breath. At that point, I figured I had misread our first encounter. The Men’s and Women’s restrooms in this venue shared a sink area. Later that evening, I took a restroom break. As I went to wash my hands, guess who came out of the Women’s restroom at the same time. As she saw me she flashed an unmistakable smile, but then said she had forgotten her cell phone in the stall and turned away. Disregarded twice in the same night, I believed I had definitely misread our first encounter. The night continued and a large group of us went to another venue. While in an elevated mood, I wandered into the area with the group sitting and made efforts to find a seat. The only open seat was beside her and she welcomed me before I could even ask to sit. While seated, the group conversation covered various topics including beach vacation and travel. I attempted to whisper a flirtatious question to her, but I am told that I did not whisper. Regardless, the question made her blush. As the group made its way back, I found myself in her car with other people. As I was leaving, I told her I would call her the next day. She replied, “How are you going to call me if you don’t have my number?” Then she texted me and I texted her back, and since then we have never stopped.

If you know me…please read this in my voice lol I promise you, God always makes sure I’m in the right places at the right time! Greek Week 2019 was an example of that. The week of events kicked off with a church service. I hesitated to attend after a long day of work, but I wanted to make sure I supported my friend, the pastor of the church. After the service, another friend randomly asked, “Have you met Courtney, the Ace?” I responded, “No, who’s that? Why would I need to meet him?” Before he could even respond, this guy popped up like a genie. The guy introduced himself as Courtney. At this point, I’m thinking my friend has been trying to hook me up with this guy behind my back. Apparently, he and our mutual friend had never had a conversation about me…ever. Moving on… A group of us were heading out after service, but Courtney declined due to a trial he had the next morning. As my usual and casual self, while exiting the church I said “goodnight” and I wished him luck on his trial the following morning. Family and friends - at no point was I flirting. I promise. I saw this gentleman a few days later at the Greek Game Night at a local bar. I said hello to everyone, INCLUDING Courtney. However, I did not hug him because I did not know this man! At some point, I went to the restroom. When I came out he was right at the door washing his hands at the shared sink. As soon as I saw him he started to talk to me, but I realized I left my phone in the bathroom. So, I went to get my phone. When I returned he was gone. In my mind, he didn’t want to talk to me that bad! I believe we had a general conversation with other folks during the event. Most of us ended the night at a restaurant. Everyone was seated for the most part. However, Courtney was still walking around. He came to the end of the table where I was seated. He began talking to our mutual friends. I invited him to sit because there was a spot next to me and if I’m going to eat - I need you to not be hovering over me. He accepted. Throughout the night he talked junk and we laughed a ton. He ended up in my car with a few other people that I had to take to their cars. As he got out he said he would give me a call. I questioned how he’d do that without my number. I then proceeded to give him my number. We’ve been texting and talking every single day since.

When we talked engagement, she was sure of three things: 1) she did not want a big crowd; 2) she would kill me if her nails were not done and 3) she was convinced that she would know before I proposed. Of course, I made it my mission to surprise her! And God made the plan flow perfectly. I knew that I wanted it to be somewhere special. Being that we have great memories going to vineyards, I decided that for the location. I laid the foundation months in advance. I paid for her to get her nails done a few times to keep her from being suspicious when it was time. I even went to NY to meet with her parents to get their blessing without her knowing. One of our date nights in March I took her to two vineyards in the same night. She has a good time without knowing that I was previewing proposal venues. After comparing our favorite vineyards, I chose Brignole. I told Taniqua we were going to Brignole with friends because they had never been to a vineyard. She kept forgetting that I told her! I had to stop her from making other plans 3 times by reminding her that we already had plans that day. That weekend she refused to get her nails done. I had to have one of our friends basically beg her to get her nails done. On the big day, I had everyone get in place ahead of time. Our moms and my best friend Claude were the muscle for the day. Their job was to make sure everyone stayed in place and that no one ruined the surprise. When we arrived, our friends were set up on the first floor with wine for us. I told her I was going to the restroom. I went upstairs to make sure everything was in place and everyone was ready. Claude and the photographer had set up everything perfectly and, most importantly, he didn’t forget the ring. I went back downstairs. We drank some wine and had some laughs. I was so nervous the whole time. My heart was beating through my chest like a cartoon. I got up the second time to go get in place. Taniqua stops me. “Where are you going? You just came from the restroom.” In a panic, all I could do was rub my stomach and look uncomfortable. She said “Oh, ok.” The coast was clear. I slipped up the back stairway and sent the text to our friends to bring her upstairs. Apparently, when they tried to bring her up the front stairway as planned Taniqua wanted to go up the back stairway because they wouldn’t have to go outside in the rain. Our friends reminded her that the front stairway to upstairs was covered - we had planned for that. The photographer stepped out of the room to capture her coming up the stairway. At that point she was still clueless. Apparently she thought the vineyard needed Black people for their website. As she reached the top of the stairs the photographer stepped backward into the room to lead her to the red carpet rolled out for her. As the photographer stepped back, I stepped inside the heart made of flower petals at the end of the red carpet; and got down on one knee. She stepped into the room to a roar of excitement. She slowly turned and recognized unexpected family members and friends in the room. To me, it felt like time was standing still. She finally turned and saw me on bended knee and then began to cry. She folded over to catch her breath and then, finally, made her way to me. I reached for her hand, which she gladly gave me. I asked the question I had been waiting months to ask her and she said “Yes” with tears of joy rolling down her cheeks. At that moment I became the happiest man alive!