They say love shows up when you least expect it — even if it’s in the middle of a pandemic... and on POF. (Sorry, family.)
Our story didn’t begin with candlelit dinners or picture-perfect dates. It began in the raw, uncertain world of 2020 — when face masks were in fashion, the world stood still, and connection felt more important than ever. That’s when I found him — or maybe, he found me. Either way, something clicked.


We met in the heart of Covid. No fancy outfits, no flashy dates. Just us — showing up as we were. Most of our “nights out” were spent in parked cars, quiet parks, or just cruising around town with no destination except each other. We were stripped down to the basics, and maybe that’s what made it real from the start. No distractions, just two people getting to know the soul behind the screen.


Now, if you ask about our first date, prepare for a debate. Rashaad will swear it happened in Wilson. I’ll always say it was Raleigh. (We may never agree — but isn’t that marriage?)

One of the moments etched in my heart forever is June 2020. He pulled up to my cousin Jay’s house — not just with a full heart, but with Lauren, our daughter. That day, he introduced her to my family. I was nervous beyond words, wondering how it would all unfold. But it turned out better than I ever imagined. That day showed me how serious he was — not just about me, but about us.
Then came the day he met Ayden, our son. I told him his name was “Mr. Piano Man.” Let’s just say... he wasn’t thrilled with that nickname. But even then, he stayed. He laughed. He showed up. And little by little, we built this life — one moment, one inside joke, one challenge at a time.

Five years later, we’ve walked through joy, tears, doubt, laughter, and everything in between. We’ve seen high highs and low lows. But no matter what, we’ve always found our way back — to each other.

This isn’t just a love story. It’s our story. Built in parking lots, warmed by late-night rides, strengthened by time, and sealed by the family we’ve become.

And through it all — one thing has always been true:
We made it. Together.