Everyone has an origin story and ours is no different. I (Jeffrey) met Kiara (my future wife) while trapped in an elevator with no masks during a global pandemic…well that’s not entirely true - though we did meet six months into the pandemic.

Our love origin story starts in a more modern way. Not at a bar or in a grocery store, but on Hinge - which is probably sandwiched somewhere in between Match.com and Tinder when you think of overall vibes. The middle class of dating apps, if you will?

It’s quite comical when you think about it. Exactly two years from our wedding date, on Friday September 4th 2020, a virtual meeting space brought two Chicago natives living 2.2 miles apart, together. We frequented the same stores, shared similar tastes in restaurants, and loved walks on the lake, yet it took the “relationship app” (their actual motto) to unite us. You have to love the era of technological modernity, right?!

In all seriousness, this love story can only be described as a whirlwind type of love; time moving at a speed far greater than we anticipated with so much changing around us. New jobs, new homes, new schools, and a new definition of family. In the course of this relationship, I’ve become a bonus parent (Jaxson, I love you!) and a dog Dad to Liam. We’ve suffered some significant losses and gained even more in return. We’ve seen our families change drastically, further strengthening our bond. And at the center of this whirlwind is what can only be described as an unbreakable love.

A love so strong that it continues to grow into depths that feel indescribable; a place you pull strength from.

Our love feels like so many things. Both beautiful and challenging. Like trying to be perfect and still feeling cherished when you're not. Or understanding that no matter what happens in life, there’s always someone there to uplift you. It is a love that has taught us the true meaning of family. And a love that places our friendship above all else in the world. This love is benevolent. It is pure.

We are a couple that values wellness, practices intentionality, and embodies grace. Most importantly, we choose each other every day.

This is our Black love story.