I, LaShon, had sworn off love. After a string of disappointments, I had made peace with the idea that romance and all the drama and emotional turbulence that come with it wasn’t for me. When I signed up for Facebook Dating, it wasn’t out of hope—it was just to pass the time, to chat with people, maybe go on a casual date or two. Nothing serious. Nothing real. Then, Philip appeared on my "Like" list and I "Liked" him back.

Philip was different. Steady, strong in character and personality, and effortlessly funny. A man who knew what he wanted and wasn't afraid to say what was on his mind. And, most importantly - a man who could stand up to my tough-as-nails, sassy and sometimes bougie attitude. We connected over long conversations and when I met him in person, I knew he was going to be trouble for me from the start. We met up quite a bit over the next few months, so much so that Philip knew within that short span of time that I was the one for him. But fear and hurt are powerful emotions to overcome, so I refused to let myself believe it. I tried to keep things light; to convince myself it was just another fleeting connection. Yet every time I pulled back, he remained patient, offering his presence without ever giving up on me.

For a time, we thrived. But the "L' word still loomed between us, and afraid of getting hurt again, I just couldn't bring myself to say it or feel it, so we ended things. Even as I walked away, Philip, in true Alpha male style, said "I'm not done with you yet."

I tried telling myself it was for the best, but something kept pulling us back together. Over 2 months passed, and there was a text here, a brief phone call there - fate wove us into each other's lives over and over.

Eventually, I could no longer deny the truth—the feeling I had fought against for so long. One summer evening, after weeks of not seeing him, I finally admitted it to myself. “I love you too Philip.” I whispered, almost in disbelief.

But Philip was not there to hear it. So, I came up with a reason to reconnect with him, and over the next few weeks we talked alot and even met up a few times. Finally, one night I built up the courage to say the words that I had found so hard to say to anyone in the past few years. "I love you, Philip." Philip smiled, not with surprise but with quiet certainty. He had always known. Philip looked at me in that arrogant, self-assured way that he has about himself and said, "You know you're marrying me, right?"

And this time, I didn’t run. Philip is the man that I have always wished for, and I know that he feels the same way about me.

L&P