Ken: Our story is a simple one. A story of two becoming one. We started our journey as fellow musicians serving at a local church in October of 2021. Time went by and we didn't see each other for a while. Then one day in February of 2022 we ran into each other in a rehearsal, struck up a conversation and continued our conversation via phone that evening.

The conversation was normal and natural feeling and then all of a sudden, there was a great earthquake lol....

JUST kidding... there was no real earthquake but that was the night that I asked Jasmine if she would entertain the idea of me taking her out on a date.

Our first date was in March of 2022 and we went to Imaginate in downtown Royal Oak. It was a relaxing and memorable evening filled with tons of laughs, good conversation, AMAZING food, and in my mind at the time, the woman who I would ask to marry me one day.

Jasmine: Hey guyth! So Ken and I started talking after this amazing date. He was such a gentlemen ladies, I mean opening doors, pulling out my chair, paying the bill. I believe this is the night I turned him into a Club Soda man lol. But anyway... We started dating (unofficially) I think most people would call it the "Talking Phase."

Every conversation with this man was good. Then Ken made a big decision to move to Illinois. Which changed nothing. At the time in my life I was focused on my health. I had a tumor that grew back and was moving to the right side of my brain so having a guy like him around to chat with and pray with was amazing. He then met my family for the first time via video chat when we did a prayer call the evening before my surgery.

Now if y'all know me... I just knew this was the thing that would cause a man like Ken to move on because I was dealing with so much... UN UN ! Not my Pedro!!!

God blessed the surgery and I started radiation. Ken checked on me, prayed with and for me, and we grew closer in the process.

Fast forward... He surprised me by moving back to Michigan (Yaaay) and I completed radiation. He showed up when I rung the bell... I just knew that God blessed me with this man.

Ken: Hey everybody, it's me again...Moving ahead to preparation for December 3rd 2022. I made the decision that I was ready to take things to the next level. I was going to ask Jasmine to officially be my girlfriend. December 3rd came and we went to grab brunch in Troy. The food was amazing and my view was even better. She looked amazing yall. I brought some flowers for her and as we were eating our fill and getting ready to end our date, I proceeded to ask the question and she said yes.

So that was that...on that day, an amazing year long journey of dating began. We were determined to not just take our time to build a solid foundation but also to be sure we enjoy every moment along the way. We shared the good stuff, the bad stuff, the embarrassing stuff, the traumatic stuff, EVERYTHING!!!

I really felt that she was becoming more than just a spouse and that I was gaining and developing a new best friend in my life. Having someone that loves AND accepts you and your authentic self with all the baggage it brings isn't as common as it should be. Every so often I would mentally pinch myself to make sure that I wasn't dreaming.

The verdict: I wasn't dreaming at all lol...It was all REAL! REAL LOVE!

Jasmine: Yeah.. We weren't dreaming. Time flew by and we were just meshing. I think the most important thing about this relationship was that God was in it. I mean in it. Whew... Y'all had to be there. Ken soon learned that I was a walking cry baby.

But... Here we are now!! We had a journey of birthday celebrations, family reunions, gaining family at our new home church, and so much more. We were on our way to celebrating our 1 year anniversary, when I kept having these dreams of our marriage, our children and just our future in general. I mentioned it to my sisters but they brushed me off. I knew something was up... I just didn't know it would be this.

Ken: As Jasmine stated, 2023 came with its fair share of good times, celebrations and surprises! Which brings me to summer of 2023. In June 2023, I knew that as things were going, I could definitely see myself marrying and spending the rest of my life with this woman. She is amazing in so many ways. She loves unconditionally, is beautiful inside and out and truly, I can tell that I am my best self when I am with her.

June I got the ring size.

July she surprised me with the best birthday party I have ever had. My parents and sister (who live in Illinois), my baby sister (who lives in DC), many friends I hadn't seen in forever, and family were all there. That expression of love that night solidified my

thought that this was indeed the woman for me.

August came and I started seriously praying for direction and wisdom on how to take the next steps.

September 11th came and I had a very vivid dream detailing a proposal event. I believe the Lord was showing exactly what I needed to do. From what the day would look like down to the budget. Sept 12th I woke up, wrote all my ideas down and then I texted Jasmine's best friend to inform her that the time had come. It was time to plan The Proposal.

October came and I secured the venue and purchased the ring.

November came and I secured the designers and the guest list. The invites were already sent out to everyone.

Thanksgiving 2023 was such a good time filled with good food, family and fun. Meanwhile Jasmine had no idea that literally her entire family was in on a secret that would unfold in about a week's time.

December 3rd 2023 came...

Jasmine: I mean my family was smiling in my face y'all. I don't know what to say. I just didn't see it coming. But I'm happy it did...

Ken proposed on the evening of our anniversary with a room full of family, friends, and loved ones. It was amazing. My reaction was priceless lol. I'm very grateful to God for the opportunity to say yes to a Godly man, a man that loves me for me, a man that supports me and so much more.

And that friends, is our story!