Our story? Well, it depends on who you ask.

Kofi will be quick to tell you that Emilyn was chasing him down until he did not have a choice.

Emilyn will tell you, right hand to God, that she was terrified of Kofi when she met him. Maybe terror isn’t the right word - it was more of a healthy, respectful intimidation.

Him being all business, confident, cut to the chase, no nonsense, direct, private, and over 14 years her superior. Her being a bubbly new graduate nurse anesthetist with nothing to prove and everything to learn.

Either way, the bottom line is that we met at work. Two outwardly seeming polar opposite personalities sharing one common professional drive. Until one evening in October of 2019, when two coworkers organized a social event and the two of us had the opportunity to get to know each other personally.

We talked about our families and we discussed our professional aspirations. We danced to a terrible cover band named “Honest Doubts” and drank local Richmond beer. We laughed. Emilyn learned about Ghana and Kofi’s native language of Twi. Kofi learned about Emilyn’s insatiable appetite for delicious (mostly what he would call “unhealthy”) food and added a cookie emoji to Emilyn’s contact information in his phone.

Two days later, Kofi texted Emilyn out of the blue a photo from his home back in Ghana.

And that was that - the conversation continued effortlessly. After years of failed planning, online dating, arranged setups by friends and family, Emilyn knew she had found her old man. And after years of well, years, I suppose - there was no planning or online dating for Kofi - Kofi had found his old lady. Although, he (unlike her) did not know it yet.

Two old souls. Him with the energy of a 6 month old Golden Retriever. Her with the energy of a 112 year old Nana. Brought together at work, and held together by our shared, most cherished value - you!

We grew up on different continents, in two entirely unique environments, and he might be just a few years older than her - but our shared value of family is what made us fall in love and stay here. Our wedding celebration is just as much about you as it is about us. We thank you, sincerely, for standing by our sides for the years that have passed and cannot wait to celebrate with you over the decades to come! And one small date in the near future - October 28, 2023.

And, in the mean time, if you have any doubt about who was pursuing who?? Just ask Emilyn. She has proof.