How we met: Mallory's Version

TJ and I have known one another for quite some time. We were first acquainted in 1996 by Kris Cormier. Kris is my cousin and he is also TJ's best friend from childhood. Kris and I were around the same age and we had a really close relationship, which is why I would be around TJ so often. At this time, I'm sure they only looked at me as than the annoying, tattle telling, and younger cousin.

In 1992-93, my family and I moved to Lurose Dr. and shortly after, TJ moved right around the corner; and then Kris joined us, and moved right down the street with his family. I would visit my aunt and uncles' house and Kris and TJ would always be making music, playing basketball or just doing "boy" things (which was annoying to me). TJ and I looked at one another as nothing more than friends.. That is until Kris decided to play cupid (I think TJ put Kris up to this, but he would never admit to it, lol). After Kris' attempt at being cupid, TJ started to talk to me a little more. We were both in middle school band, so we would see even more of one another at school and out of school. TJ would sometimes walk me home from school, but he never did express too much interest. After a few walks and a little maturity, TJ began to show more interest. We were in high school; I was in 9th grade and he was in 10th. It was Valentine's Day and he brought me a teddy bear and a box of chocolates. By the way, I STILL HAVE THE TEDDY BEAR! From that point TJ and I would talk more often, but again we were young, so it didn't really last long. Later in my 9th grade year of high school, TJ moved to Houston. He would check on me from time to time while living there and call when he would visit Crowley, but eventually we grew apart and went our separate ways. I moved to Baton Rouge, LA to attend Southern University and upon graduating, I moved to Atlanta, GA. After leaving Atlanta, I decided to make Beaumont, TX, which is where TJ and I reconnected again.

How we reconnected:

In 2012, QJ (my cousin and another one of TJ's friends), decided that he would play cupid this time. I was hesitant, so it did NOT go off without a hitch. When TJ would message me, I would always keep it pretty short. One evening, I thought about him, so I reached out to him. We messaged a few times back and forth on Facebook and then we exchanged numbers. After a few weeks of texting and a few conversations of "getting to know you again", we decided that we should go on a date. TJ came visit me in Beaumont and after the first trip, the rest was history. What we wanted at that point in our lives was very clear, so we acted on that impulse. I was focused on my faith, my career, and finishing grad school. TJ was focused on a fresh start and his faith. As much as I tried to resist falling, it was impossible because we connected in so many different ways, but mainly we connected because of the history we shared. TJ would always say that he lost contact with me once and he would never lose me again. Early in our relationship, we faced a big obstacle, and TJ kept his promise that we would not go separate ways again. I knew he was my keeper when I decided that it was time for another career move and pitched him the idea of moving to the Dallas/FW area. He was very supportive of the move, but I wasn't sure what this would do to our relationship. I will not say it was all peaches and cream when I moved, but we put our trust in God and let him work it out.

I am so happy that we allowed everything to flow, because everything worked out! We have accomplished so much; individually and together as a couple. Our connection has become so much deeper, our faith so much stronger, and our love has blossomed into something that I could have never imagined.TJ is the most selfless, caring, and loyal person that I know… I believe with all my heart that he was made just for me, which is why I am taking this vow to love him without conditions, forever. I can't wait until we say I do and start the next chapter of our life.

Our Registry

We do not have a wedding registry. We are blessed to already have a home and all the furnishings to go along with it. Monetary gifts are our preference, as we will use it for our honeymoon.