My brother Jose came home with a bunch of friends one afternoon and I was coming down the stairs Shariff and I locked eyes. Soon after he was already asking my parents if he could marry me, of course I said no. Shariff was very persistent over the years and never leaving my house without a hug.

Thank the Lord he was persistent! One Memorial Day when I was home from school we had some flirtatious behavior started talking and went from there. It was the best decision and I'm glad I waited to give him a chance.