It all began at Clayton State University, where fate—or maybe just good timing—brought us together. Warren was on his way to office hours, buried in his homework, when Jasmine walked by and sat nearby, waiting for her class. We exchanged glances but said little at first. Then, out of nowhere, Jasmine made a simple comment about Warren’s Fiji water bottle—a small moment that sparked what would become the conversation of a lifetime. From that first exchange, we talked on and off about everything, feeling an instant connection. As Jasmine left for class and Warren continued on his way, he mustered up the courage to ask for her number—only to be politely denied. Instead, she offered her social media account. What started as casual messaging quickly turned into nonstop conversations, filled with laughter, curiosity, and a growing affection neither of us could ignore. And here’s the fun part—this all happened just one day after Valentine’s Day. After a month of back-and-forth conversations, we finally had our first date—seeing Marvel’s Black Panther at the movies. It was an unforgettable night, followed soon after by a second date at California Pizza Kitchen, where we realized this was something real. Then, on March 6th, just a month later, we officially became boyfriend and girlfriend—the start of an incredible journey that led us here today, celebrating our love with all of you.

Our first real date wasn’t dinner at a fancy restaurant or a walk through a city park. It was sitting side by side in a darkened theater, waiting for the opening credits of Black Panther. The air buzzed with anticipation — not just for the film, but for what it meant. This was more than a movie. It was a story about legacy, identity, and the unbreakable link between the past and the future. As the screen lit up, I (Warren) couldn’t help but reflect on the weight of those themes later in my life. The story of kings and warriors, of a people carrying the strength of their ancestors, mirrored something in my own heart. I thought about the torch — how each generation passes it to the next, shaping who we are, yet leaving room for us to add our own fire. That torch didn’t begin with me. It began with my parents. With our parents. Our parents met early in life, drawn together not just by circumstance, but by shared values and vision. Our fathers brought a strength of independence — the determination to carve their own path. Our mothers carried with her the warmth of a support system that gave them room to flourish. Together, our parents balanced reliance and independence, leaning on their families when needed, yet never afraid to stand tall on their own. Their story became a foundation. From them, we learned that love thrives best when it is both nurtured and chosen — when it is supported by others but also strong enough to endure without constant crutches. They didn’t just pass down lessons with words; they lived them. And in doing so, they placed the torch in our hands. Sitting there with you that night, I later realized how their story and mine began to intersect. The glow of the screen wasn’t just light from a film; it felt like the reflection of a bigger picture. Two people, meeting in their own time, carrying their own history, stepping into something new. The movie ended, but the story didn’t. We would walk out of the theater with more than just thoughts about superheroes — we would walk out with the quiet awareness that this was the start of something lasting. Just as our parents once took the torch and carried it forward, now it was our turn. Our love wouldn’t erase the past — it would honor it. It would build on the sacrifices, the lessons, and the faith of those before us. And together, we would hold the torch, not just for ourselves, but for whatever future waited beyond us.

More coming soon...

More coming soon...