THE SPRINGS Event Venue

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Alex and I met on the steps of Howard University's Lewis K Downing building in the Fall of 2008. I saw him and knew he was my soulmate! *record snatch* Kidding! That is where we met but the story isn't quite that simple. Those who&nbsp;know Alex and my history as friends&nbsp;know that it hasn't always been simple but, they will say they always saw the day we'd get married.&nbsp;&nbsp;They'd say, "Kama has been arguing with that man like they were a married couple FOREVER!" That would not be incorrect.&nbsp;Alex has always found the quickest way to my last nerve yet, he remains to be the true love of my life. I am blessed to have found my soulmate. I am so glad to have made it to this moment with Alex, I can't wait to join you in celebrating our union and life!&nbsp;

How We Met... By Kamaria

In March of 2018, our trip to Denver&nbsp;was framed as a chance for Kama to go home; given she hadn’t seen her family in a little while.&nbsp; We also planned a big family dinner for Sunday afternoon.&nbsp; We arrived at her home in Denver to relax and watch a movie, during which her brother Ahmed called me to say he would be a little late arriving in Denver.&nbsp;&nbsp;[I later learned that Kama slightly over heard our conversation and was wondering why Ahmed was calling me to let me know he was going to be late.]&nbsp; I could sense that with this Denver trip overall, Kama was a little on edge as she suspected a proposal was coming but she just wasn’t sure when or where it might happen.&nbsp; She was also suspicious because it’s rare that she and her siblings are in the same place at the same time, other than holidays, given they all live in different cities.

The next day, Kama, her two brothers and I headed to Boulder, Colorado for a morning hike.&nbsp; Her brother Tariq had to work Saturday morning, but he absolutely was not going to miss the hike and proposal, so his solution was to bring along his laptop. The hike was pretty smooth at first, but the incline changed drastically about midway through so the hike became more difficult.&nbsp;&nbsp; We brought a speaker along and were listening to music played by DJ Tariq.&nbsp; Aside from the proposal itself, the music ended up being a key motivator in pushing us to complete the hike.&nbsp;&nbsp; We made it&nbsp;90 percent of the way to the top where there was a large open area overlooking all of Boulder, in the direction of Denver.&nbsp; It was there I realized that this was the best location to propose.&nbsp;

Kama and I stopped while Ahmed and Tariq continued to the top. Meanwhile, Kama realized what time it was, and mentioned that she wanted to start heading back down the mountain to the car, and that her brothers could catch up and meet us.&nbsp; After some convincing and mentioning that I would like to take a group photo at this spot, Kama agreed to wait for her brothers. Her brothers came back down and we ended up taking the group photo.

Immediately following that, I&nbsp;hinted to Ahmed and Tariq that this was my time to propose.&nbsp; I gave Ahmed the phone but he didn’t seem to get the hint at first; because&nbsp;as soon as he was handed the phone, he thought it would be funny for him to start recording himself.&nbsp; I then proceeded to get down on one knee without Ahmed knowing and began to propose.&nbsp; He quickly turned the camera around to focus on me and Kama, and our special moment in time.&nbsp; She was in shock!&nbsp; She said “Yes” and the bystanders all cheered loudly, some even asking&nbsp;“When’s the wedding and can I&nbsp;get an&nbsp;invite?”&nbsp; We all then made our way back down the mountain to the car where Kama would then call her family and friends to share our good news.&nbsp; Later she told me she suspected I was going to propose, but thought it might be the next day sometime, since we had a large family dinner planned for Sunday.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Looking back this was an event that neither one of us will ever forget. &nbsp;

THE PROPOSAL... BY ALEX

Our Story

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About James: I am&nbsp;a graduate of West Chester University with a degree in Exercise Science and Pre Physical Therapy concentration. Currently residing&nbsp;in Poughkeepsie, New York with my fiancé Michelle Ohai while working at Marist College as a Division 1 collegiate football coach. Some things&nbsp;I enjoy&nbsp;are&nbsp;spending time with my&nbsp;fiancé, dog, and family, listening to music and watching all sports. I&nbsp;intend&nbsp;to pursue his Master’s in Business Administration at Marist College beginning in the spring.

Where we met: Alex and I&nbsp;met&nbsp;while in high school at Caravel Academy. We were members of the Caravel state championship football team throughout our&nbsp;high school years. From then on we have been brothers to each other and both families have taken Alex and I in as their own sons.

Fondest memory: James’ 21stBirthday

James Groce

Oh Boy, I’ve known you my entire life, literally! Truthfully, I don’t recall our initial interaction but what I do remember is how we always ended up at the same schools! Lol. It wasn’t until High School where we became inseparable. On the basketball court we were the dynamic duo. No matter what was happening on the court, we’ve always had this discernment for each other and have been able to communicate without uttering a word. I think that is when God truly revealed to us our sisterhood. From then on you were never not right by my side; performing for Black History month, private golf lessons per Mom after school, coming up with skits to make people believe we were actual blood sisters, graduating from Howard University and countless other ventures and shenanigans. God has a way of implementing unwavering people in your life and you are just that. I am eternally grateful for you my sister and am forever indebted. My sister. My best friend. My confidant. My example. You have been nothing short of a blessing in my life. You continue to show me the path that is most aligned to God's vision. Now on your journey of true love, I feel so honored to witness you grow, be loved, feel loved, and love

Mari'Yam Floyd

What to say about my Crunch? I remember meeting you for the first time in the Quad and thinking,&nbsp;"wow this is such a sweet person. I know that we are going to be friends." And we were. I love Kama like a sister and have always looked up to her (shhh... don't tell her). I am happy for her and Alex and wish them nothing but the best as they transition into this new phase of life.&nbsp;

Shauna- Gaye Campbell

About Liu: I am a&nbsp;class of 2012 graduate from the Howard University College of Engineering and currently make&nbsp;a living as a Management Consultant in the city of Chicago, specializing in cost reduction strategies and analytics.&nbsp; I am&nbsp;an adamant world traveler who also enjoys thrill-seeking, cooking & community service.&nbsp;

Where We Met: The summer of 2008, just weeks before arriving on the campus of Howard University, AP and I met at a mutual friend's graduation party and initially bonded over an intense game of pickup basketball (don't believe the fallacies often illustrated by AP regarding this game).

Fondest memory: Summer of 2009, leaving our Calculus II final exam at Delaware State University and blasting "Ransom" while rapping the entire track, then getting pulled over by the feds (the rest is strictly confidential)...

Liu Jones

Pageant season of our sophomore year of at Howard University was around the corner and it was time to decided who would run to be crowned the new Ms. College of Engineering, Architecture, and Computer Science (CEACS). I told Kamaria that I thought she should run because she embodied everything that Ms. CEACS should: intelligence, perseverance, class, culture, and a passion to see minority women in STEM. After a little coaxing, she agreed to run as long as I was an active “Team Kamaria” supporter, and I assured her that I would be there every step of the way and attend every pageant event that I could. We soon found that neither of us really knew what pageant season had in store as flat irons, bobby pins, makeup, and organic chemistry books became a midnight 4-for-1 deal for us. To this day, Kama compliments me on my eyeliner application and will sometimes have me do hers, but little does she know that I have her to thank for my steady hand because she made me learn to apply her liquid eyeliner for her pageant events.

It was in the moments of watching Kamaria stand so confident and poised on stage after a wardrobe change or makeup touch-up that made me so happy that my support of her in her pursuit for the crown grew into what it did. Being able to watch her transform from the girl who would “Eek” me while walking down Georgia Avenue to crowned Howard royalty began to show me the many facets of Kamaria Hakeem (soon-to-be Peterson) that we all know and love. Kamaria won the crown and represented the School of CEACS well during her reign. She held down her work study job, studied late for Physics exams with her fellow ChemEs, attended to her royal court duties, and reminded us all of the fun and importance of letting our inner child out to play every now and then.&nbsp;&nbsp;





Kama, for the last 10 years that I have known you, you have been a ball of fire and wonder and I am so excited to watch you and Alex exchange vows and begin a “wonder-full”, love-filled life together.&nbsp;&nbsp;





Love Always,



Panda

Amanda Clopton

About DJ: I am&nbsp;a&nbsp;Howard University grad with a concentration in Radio-TV and Film production. Currently residing in the Washington D.C. metro area working in cable news production. An avid music listener, I&nbsp;enjoy&nbsp;making music, playing basketball and watching a wide variety of film and TV programs.&nbsp; I also have&nbsp;a passion for education and tutors the youth in Northern Virginia in english and ACT prep.&nbsp;

Where we met: Alex&nbsp;and I were freshman roommates who met the first day of freshman move in at THEE HOWARD UNIVERSITY.&nbsp;

Fondest memory: Spring break trips to Delaware and other cities along the east coast. The countless nights of tomfoolery at clubs and bars in our decade of friendship.

DJ Lyons

About Julian: I am a&nbsp;recent grad of USC Marshall School of Business with a concentration in Entrepreneurship and a Howard University grad with a focus in Business Marketing, currently residing&nbsp;in Southern California working in the Consumer Packaged Goods Industry. In my spare time, I&nbsp;enjoy&nbsp;cooking, reading, jet skiing along the Pacific and traveling the world while further facilitating my&nbsp;personal and professional development through organizations such as MLT where he serves as the LA Chapter Leader.

Where we met: Alex and I met&nbsp;while studying at Howard University during freshman year in Drew Hall. Alex and I became roommates during our junior and senior year.&nbsp;



Fondest memory: Being roommates at Howard University

Julian Mosley

Heather Battiste-Alleyne and Kamaria first met at Howard University 10 yrs ago while both studying chemical engineering. Since then, they've done just about everything together; laughed, cried, and everything in between. Also a friend of the groom, Heather has proudly been able to watch the love grow between Alex and Kamaria throughout the years, and ecstatic to be a part of this union.

Heather works and lives in Texas within the oil & gas industry where she spends her free time traveling the world, stock market consulting, and living her best life.

Heather Battiste- Alleyne

I am Kamaria's younger cousin. I am happy to see her enter this new phase in life and to welcome Alex to the family.&nbsp;

Tachelle Grant 

About Kashta: I&nbsp;was born in Trinidad & Tobago and has been living in the US for the past 10 years. I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical engineering at Howard University and now work&nbsp;as an engineer in South Jersey, where I live&nbsp;with my&nbsp;wife and newborn son. I have&nbsp;a passion for art, being a painter myself, and love&nbsp;experiencing new cultures while also sharing my&nbsp;own.&nbsp;

Where we met:&nbsp;I met Alex during my Sophomore year at Howard University. I can’t recall the exact moment but I remember him always walking into meetings with a lively presence. Senior year was challenging and you needed fun, smart, easy-going people around you to get through it without going insane. Alex definitely fit the bid and the experience formed a brotherhood that promises many more good times. P.S. I also attribute the hook in my bowling to Alex - first person I&nbsp;knew with a mean hook shot. Much blessings



Fondest memory: Partying in the streets of Trinidad for Carnival 2015. No better feeling than with your friends and dem.&nbsp;

Kashta Rennie

Dilane and I were college roommates Sophomore year. Since we have shared memories gallivanting around Chicago living our best lives!&nbsp;

Dilane Mitchell

About Colin: I am&nbsp;a graduate of Howard University with a degree in music. After graduation Colin remained in Washington D.C. as a professional piano player.&nbsp;

Where we met: Alex and I had known of each other throughout high school through the various sports that we&nbsp;participated in for our&nbsp;respective schools. It was at the graduation party of a mutual friend in the summer of 2008 where our friendship began to grow after a game of pick up basketball and both realizing they would be attending Howard University that fall.&nbsp;



Fondest memory: It’s hard to pick a fondest memory. We’ve had&nbsp;good times from the nights&nbsp;spent in Drew Hall playing Madden and 2K while trying to prove who was better through trash talking, to the random parties and events in DC, to&nbsp;that one road trip back to Delaware in the summer of 2011 where it was 104 degrees outside and Alex’s air conditioning broke down. We had to switch drivers every 30 mins and pull over for water because we were exhausted.&nbsp;

Colin Chambers

About Tariq: I am an&nbsp;Engineer for Oracle software company, & EComm manager that resides in Denver Colorado. Enjoys traveling the world, fitness & eating barbecue.Where we met: Waco Texas at a&nbsp;cousins graduation.&nbsp;Fondest memory: Hiking up a trail in Boulder Colorado (Chautauqua mountain) where AP had romantically proposed to my Beloved Sister.&nbsp;

Tariq Hakeem

Between at home and in studio&nbsp;dance sessions, road tripping, skydiving, festival hopping, and&nbsp; bbqs,&nbsp; (to name a few) there's never been a shortage of excitement with this lady. After 5 years of living together, I'm excited to pass the torch to her new "roommate".&nbsp; I'm excited to see what adventures forever brings!

Nicole Mahan 

About Ahmed: I am an&nbsp;Exercise Physiologist for CHRISTUS health systems and major player living in Santa Fe NM. I enjoy&nbsp;pushing my body to its limits, watching my family be happy and&nbsp;new experiences.

Where we met: Waco,&nbsp;TX at my cousins graduation.

Fondest memory: Having a guys night in Havana Cuba with $8 bottles of rum.



Ahmed Hakeem

My name is Sherisse, and I am the groom’s younger sister. “Uncle Alex” has been such a blessing in my son Brian’s life, and I adore the bond that Brian now shares with “Auntie Kama.” Brian has titled her his best friend, and some of their routine activities include binge-watching episodes of Planet Earth on Netflix, and running at the park.&nbsp;My personal favorite memories with Kama are joining her and Alex for random outings, brunching and exploring DC during Howard homecoming weekend, and walking the grand reef with dive helmets at Discovery Cove. Kama’s witty sense of humor also makes each adventure that much more memorable. I’ve seen firsthand the ways in which she brings out the best in my brother, and I couldn’t ask for a better sister-in-law. I feel blessed to be a part of this union.

Sherisse Peterson

Wedding Party

Registry

Q + A

To use Hakeem Peterson&nbsp;Wedding block rate&nbsp; of $159.99 per night1. Add needed dates, ranging from 5/2 - 5/5 2. Click on "Add special rate codes"3. In the group code box type "HPW"4. Click on "Check Room and Rates"**ALL&nbsp;RESERVATIONS&nbsp;MUST&nbsp;BE&nbsp;MADE&nbsp;BY&nbsp;04/02/2019**

Embassy Suites by Hilton The Woodlands at Hughes Landing

We thought of you!&nbsp;We&nbsp;would&nbsp;like to take the hassle of finding your way to our wedding venue. Transportation (round trip)&nbsp;- from hotel to wedding venue will be provide.&nbsp;&nbsp;Please contact our planner Lauren Ashley at info@ladesigneraffair.com to&nbsp;secure your spot on the bus. Hotel: Embassy Suites by Hilton The Woodlands at Hughes LandingPick Up Time: 5:00pm bus will leave promptly at 5:15p!

A & H Premium, LLC  - Wedding Transportation 

Travel

This is a free activity however, it is best to reserve space for your party online.&nbsp;&nbsp;

James Turrell's "Twilight Epiphany" Skyspace

Have you ever seen the Texas shaped lazy river? Well this hotel is where its at. Unfortunately you can't enjoy it unless you are a hotel guest OR&nbsp;acquire a service from the spa...

Pure Spa

For all our&nbsp;Chicago peeps...Houston has the little*&nbsp;sister of Cloud Gate (The Bean) and her name is Cloud Column! After you take a picture with her hop on in&nbsp;to the Museum of Fine Arts!

*She's over two stories tall so not too little!

Cloud Column

Come see this awesome Houston relic!&nbsp; $10/adult $8/child

Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern

While in town visit some of the coolest bars in Houston (by our opinion)!&nbsp;

**Saint Arnold&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;**TruckYard&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;**West Alabama Ice House&nbsp; &nbsp;**8th Wonder&nbsp;Brewery&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;**Axelrad Beer Garden&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;**Kirby Ice House&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; **The New Potato

BARS!!!!!!

Some good eats!&nbsp;

**Phil & Derek's&nbsp;&nbsp;**Corkscrew BBQ (Spring, TX)&nbsp; **The Conservatory&nbsp; **BB's Cafe&nbsp; **Zydeco Louisiana Diner&nbsp; **The Breakfast Klub&nbsp; **Lucille's

Kamaria & Alex