El & Zina met in 1995 while Zina was working at NBC Bank on Winchester by Hickory Ridge Mall and El was working at Casual Male Big & Tall. El made the deposits for the store and saw Zina working in the bank. He approached her and asked her out. She politely turned him down, but told he could call her if he found her number. He looked the number up in the phone book and realized they both lived in Raleigh. He did a quick drive by before calling and revealed when he called, that he had seen her and her son washing the car. Zina accused him of stalking her.

El told Zina she was going to be his wife when they first met. As their friendship grew in 1996, they decided to move in together in August of 1996 and marry in 1998. After visiting Zina's aunt, they decided to marry in 1997. However, upon further consideration, Zina suggested that they marry in November of 1996, just 3 short months away and El agreed.

Yes, they have one son. He was 4 when Zina met El. His last name was changed to Henry when he was 15.