Dominique and Warren’s story started at the YMCA, where they worked together and built lifelong bonds—not just with their coworkers, but with the campers too. Back then, Dominique and the campers jokingly called Warren her "work husband." She remembers, “He would tie my shoes for me. I’d just stop and say, ‘I need my shoes tied,’ and he’d just do it without hesitation. He wasn’t tying everyone’s shoes—just mine! He was definitely feeling my vibe back then.”

Their friendship wasn’t just about work, though. They had a whole squad—Daylynn, Lloyd, Kel, and Zanae—and they were always having a good time. Dominique laughs thinking about nights at Daylynn’s or Joe’s house, where Zanae once climbed a pole and fell off. They also had a thing for $2 Tuesdays at Onyx. “Warren never wanted to throw his money at the strip club, though,” Dominique adds with a smirk. Those were carefree days, full of laughs and memories, and the foundation of something deeper was quietly building.

For Dominique, her feelings clicked one night in late 2014. “We were hanging out a lot, going to places like Dave & Buster’s, and I remember standing on my steps, looking at him, thinking, ‘Wow, I think I like him.’” Warren, on the other hand, thinks the spark started earlier. “Our after-work hangouts and nightlife were fun. That’s when the light started to shine for me,” he says.

One of their favorite memories together is a road trip that perfectly sums up their love of traveling. Dominique didn’t even know where they were going at first. “I was so concerned! I even asked Warren if he told my dad where we were headed. We left Philly, and I thought maybe we were going to Virginia Beach, but then we kept driving. Turns out, we were headed to Charlotte to see his dad. Then we went to Atlanta and ended up in Myrtle Beach, where we stayed an extra day because the resort was so nice. It was simple but everything. I loved every moment.” Warren agrees, “Traveling is something we get right. Whether it’s road trips or planes, we love experiencing new places together. That trip was definitely a highlight.”

Of course, their relationship hasn’t always been smooth sailing. In the early years, they were kind of just coexisting without much of a plan. But things shifted during COVID. Dominique says, “We started spending more time together, and I wanted to make sure we were doing the work to get it right—not just avoiding conflict. We even went to therapy.” For Warren, it was a wake-up call from God. “After 10 years, God told me to either move forward or move on. I knew I had to move forward, and here we are.” Laughter has always been a big part of their relationship. Dominique says, “We laugh a lot. I can’t even pick the funniest moment because it’s just random and constant. It’s just something we do.” They even have their own handshake—a little tradition that’s simple but so them.

And through it all, they’ve always had each other’s backs. Dominique remembers how Warren supported her during a tough time. “About a year ago, I was financially drained from helping my family, and it was really stressful. Warren kept reminding me everything would be okay, and he took care of things so I wouldn’t have to worry. He just showed up when I needed him.” Warren says Dominique has done the same for him. “She’s always been there, encouraging me to see myself as a leader and helping me grow into who I am today.”

Looking back, their story is about more than just love—it’s about support, faith, and making the everyday moments count. From tying shoes to spontaneous road trips, Dominique and Warren have built a relationship that’s rooted in laughter, partnership, and a whole lot of heart.

On to Route 99J.