Our story starts roughly fourteen years ago when our families met in a small church in Brooksville, Florida. I had an instant friendship with his sister, Tennisha. Then over time, Joel and I became the best of friends. I had the biggest crush on him and never dared to tell him. Life got in the way, we drifted apart and learned some important life lessons about who we were and what we wanted for our lives. I waited and trusted that God would one day bring the man I had always hoped and prayed for into my life. Then at the beginning of 2020, I received a random text and selfie from Joel to say hi and that he’d missed our friendship. I did too. Not too long after, he told me he had feelings for me and wasn’t sure if I felt the same way. (I DID AND I ALWAYS HAD). I tried to play it cool and say that I wasn’t sure how I felt and that we should take things slow and see what happens. We talked for days on end and then decided to hang out at Target, for the first time in years. To keep the story short, a few days later, we were dating. Throughout the months to follow, he proved to be the man I’d prayed for my whole life. I’d fallen undoubtedly and incredibly in love with him. On my 26th birthday, he proposed to me in front of both of our families and without hesitation, I said yes. And now, we’re getting married!

Our story is a long one, I first met Jess 14 years ago in a small church in Brooksville. At first, she was just my baby sister's friend singing and dancing to High School Musicial in our living room. Shortly after we became friends. Fast forward a few years,she became one of my best friends. Then for my sister's quinceañera they put us together for a dance, our FIRST dance. Feelings started to develop but because of some self esteem issues I never said anything and figured she'd never see me the same way.
After high school, over the years,we kinda drifted apart. I went to college, the police academy and in 2017 I joined the United States Army to become a military police officer. We kept in contact but only through small interactions when she was with my sister. After going through a tremendous amount of loss in 2019 I swore to myself I'd live 2020 with no regrets. So, on January 31 at 1030hrs I sent a message and selfie to the only number I had of Jess, from 5 years ago saying Hey. I thank God she had the same number! Soon enough we started texting back and forth constantly. Then moment of truth, I told her how I felt, praying she felt the same. She did. But because of how close our families were, there was hesitation to go any further. For the record, I had no doubt. Jess was a bit more cautious. We met up one day at Target to do some shopping. After seeing her one on one that day I knew she was without a doubt the one. Shortly after, we were dating. Now, here we are, I’m engaged to my best friend, my teammate and my better half!