How we met:

In 2010 a mutual friend introduced Carl and I, at my birthday party. If you let him tell it, I carried him that night, but I was just having fun (LOL). We kept in contact. Talking here and there just building a friendship, it was nothing serious. I can’t remember when things changed. It just kind of happened. I started to notice that we had a lot in common. I guess he was feeling the same way, after a while he asked me out. I turned him down because of two reasons; one I was scared, and two I didn't have a babysitter (LOL). A couple months later we had our first official date (three years later LOL). This was the most fun I had in a long time, I felt free, my laugh was natural, everything just felt right, but I was still scared. That one date turned into something special. We talked every day, he would stop by just to say hi. It wasn’t until May 2013 that we finally introduced our kids to one another. On 27th of July 2013 he asked me to be his girlfriend. As the years went on, we went on more dates, family outings, vacations, family vacations etc. We’ve had our share of ups and downs. In 2015 we agreed that we needed to end things. Then I remembered my job had a trip planned to Las Vegas, we were supposed to go together. I guess I had to put my big girl pants on and make that phone call. As the phone was ringing I was thinking he was going to say, “Nah I’m not going” but he shocked me “I’ll be at your house so we can head to the airport”. This is what we needed because after that trip we were inseparable.

The engagement:

On the 5th of March 2023 we were having a family outing. We went to the movies and lunch. After that I didn't want to do anything else but go home, get ready for work (no school) and go to bed. But from the looks of things everyone else had other plans. We all headed back to our house for S’mores. I had a feeling something was up because no one really eats S’mores but my kids. I had no clue what was happening. Everyone kept trying to get me to come out back, knowing I hated S’mores. The doorbell rang, so I headed back in the house (something was delivered). Carl followed me to the door, I gave him the package, letting him know this is your “just because gift”. He said that’s what gave him the idea of how to propose. After a few minutes we headed back outside with everyone. Carl walks over to me and gets down on one knee. I looked at him like he was crazy saying “what are you doing, get up.” He told me to stop and listen to what he was saying. I was halfway listening because he’s always on joke time. I knew it was real when he took my hand asking me to spend the rest of my life with him. To say I was shocked, nervous and excited was an understatement. Our beautiful family will be official in 2024.

His story:

In 2010 I made it my job to find out who this girl was I saw in my friend’s picture. I asked my friend to put in a good word for me. My friend then replied, “Oh she good people you’ll see”. I thought she would but I still spoke myself. I didn’t know what was going to happen, I just wanted to meet her. Once we connected, we spoke often until I finally got to meet her at her birthday party. I was nervous and excited but I went there with intentions of making a serious impression lol. Long story short it didn’t go as planned lol, but I didn’t give up. We stayed in touch. Eventually we began to blossom our friendship leading to a relationship. I didn’t know at the time I was going to find love let alone a relationship, but when we connected I was locked in. I even trust this woman with my daughter and back then no one never met her. Everything just felt right. I knew this was different and we would build something special. Through trials and tribulations and my ass being scared I guess lol. We are now embarking on a new life together. Our beautiful family will be official. I say that word because we are already united in love, but we will officially make our union real. I can’t wait to take this ride with this woman.

The engagement:

I had every intention of proposing to her on Valentine’s Day, I know typical but it would’ve been special. Some unforeseen events came up so I postponed the proposal not knowing when I would actually pop the question. I ran through a bunch of different scenarios, but could never make my mind up. I would look at the ring daily, like I need to do this. While out for a family event I thought to myself I should do it today. While we were out I discussed with some family members on how I was going to ask. Friends and family said we should all go back home and hang a little more. That would be the backdrop for my plan. Everyone chilling and then I come through and do my thing. I was so damn nervous. Everyone kept asking was I ready. I stood there looking crazy and was like give me a shot. I didn’t know what I was going to say. Then the doorbell rang. Jamie called me towards the door. She then hands me a just because gift. I was like you crazy and that gave me an idea. We went back outside. I motioned to Tanisha to record and drop to my knee. It went a little something like this: “You gave me a gift, now open yours.” In shocked she looked as if I was playing. So I opened the box, nervously rambled off my feelings and finally asked “Will you Marry Me?” She acted like she didn’t want to answer because of the shocked, and then I finally got my YES.