The 40/40 Club

Engagement Party

The Osprey's

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

They say sometimes the bad things that happen in our lives put us directly on the path to the best things that will ever happen to us. This is the story of Nichelle and Dwayne.


In 2016 we both lost our mothers to pancreatic cancer before we knew each other, and somehow fate brought us together. After blindly becoming friends (soon realizing we had over 100 mutual friends – thanks, Facebook), it was clear that aside from sharing the loss of loved ones, we shared so much more. We just clicked. We met for the first time in person at Brio in Plantation, Florida and after talking in the parking lot way past goodbyes, there was something there. 


We kept in touch, and planned for a weekend in D.C. together including attending a Beyoncé concert and running a 5K to raise funds for pancreatic cancer, followed by a wedding – seemingly A LOT for a "first date", but it just made sense and felt right. We spent "all summer 16" together, shuttling back and forth between D.C. and Brooklyn, falling in love along the way. From more funerals, to vacations and ultimately a move to Dallas (for one of us - creating even more distance!), the love flourished and we knew that we always wanted to go through this thing called life together, no matter what. 


It sounds made up to us sometimes, but it was the way it was meant to be. Through life's ups and downs, there are glimmers of pure unquestionable joy, and that is where we find ourselves. Thank you for being a part of the journey.

The Evolution from Loss to Love

The Proposal

7/7/17

It was a beautiful day in Dallas, Texas and I knew my boyfriend was coming in town for the weekend (he lived in DC). My boss told me to head out early because it was Friday and she knew he was going to be in town. "Great," I thought,&nbsp;"I can head home early, relax, and then make it to dinner."

When I got home, DC was just on the couch relaxing, so we had an afternoon drink before getting ready for dinner. I proposed two different outfits: one was white, one was black. He voted for the white outfit.





Earlier in the week, DC&nbsp;mentioned that he wanted to check out this park, Klyde Warren Park, because he thought it was cool that it was over the highway. I thought it would be cool to check out too, so we made plans to go before dinner. (And we had dinner plans because we were going to celebrate our anniversary since we wouldn't be able to the following month.)





I get dressed, do my hair, do my makeup and we head out. We park and start strolling through the park chatting casually and admiring the park (I was still new to Dallas so everything was new and exciting to see). We kept&nbsp;strolling and we turned a corner, and I saw&nbsp;sunflowers waiting on a table. Confused, I turned to him and asked, "Did you put those there??" He responds, "Yes, it's our anniversary so I thought it would be nice."&nbsp;





I didn't think about the logistics of how or when he would have done it, I just knew they were for me.





"Aww, that's so sweet," I replied. He then follows up with, "Yeah, this park has a bunch of sunflowers, if you just turn this corner you'll see!"&nbsp;





I turned the corner, and to my HUGE surprise, there were sunflowers&nbsp;(which are my fave) but there was also a massive sign made of wood with the words, "Will You Marry Me" staked in the ground. My jaw dropped and I kept saying, "No way, this isn't real, this isn't really happening, I don't believe it."&nbsp;





DC proceeded to say words that of course I barely heard, then got down on one knee, presented the ring and asked the question every girl waits her whole life to hear, "Will you marry me?"





I immediately said yes, and had to get closer to the woodwork and admired the engravings on it with special dates - the day we met, when I met his dad, our anniversary, our birthdays...it was all so well thought out and magical.&nbsp;





He even hired a photographer to capture the special moment! I was blown away, and so began our happily ever after.





Notable Mention: DC&nbsp;emailed my boss earlier that&nbsp;week and asked if she could let me go home earlier on Friday because we had "dinner plans" and he wanted to make sure we made it on time.

Our Story

Details

Our Wedding

To Our Mothers

Photo Gallery

Cousin to the Groom, long time big bruh.&nbsp;Waiting for the bride and groom to become one.

Donovan Bailey

WE FAMILY BABY! KISSING COUSINS.

At the wedding, I'm most looking forward to&nbsp;THE FADE (and the usual seeing the two families and loves become one).

Lauren Boxhill

I know the groom through monumental step shows, BC powder investments, and backyard water slides (i.e., college life & fraternity)

At the wedding, I look forward to the vows and the celebration.

Vincent Pereira

Nichelle and I&nbsp;met in middle school. From day one we've been besties and sisters.I'm looking forward to getting down on the dance floor and seeing what handy crafts DC makes to put a special touch on the decor.

Tina Harris

Nichelle and I&nbsp;met in 7th grade when she was mean&nbsp;to me in peer counseling -&nbsp;then I showed her how to fold notes into cool shapes (which was all the rage) cuz I'm kind&nbsp;like that and I allowed her to be my friend.&nbsp;

I'm looking forward to&nbsp;the vows because I'm a softy at heart.

Hanadi Khalil

The Groom and I are fraternity brothers, friends and former roommates. We have enjoyed the fruits of our labor, laughed at inopportune times and overcome many unexpected obstacles of life; but most importantly we did it together.&nbsp;The Bride is an alum of the "Harvard of the South", much like myself. We never officially became friends until years after undergrad but managed to build a strong rapport in no time. For hours we have musical debates, discuss vulnerability in relationships and trade information on growing in our professional lives...mostly mine.&nbsp;The excitement for me resides in the welcoming of the Bride into the Small&nbsp;clan. As a recently inducted member myself, the endless support and giving grace of the Small's is truly the definition of the institution of family. I know she’s going to fit right in and bring her value to the table for everyone, especially her soon-to-be husband to enjoy!

Ismael Brown

I had the pleasure of meeting Dwayne at the University of Central Florida more than&nbsp;10 years ago. While at UCF we were both members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and grad school housemates. From cross country road trips to long distance support and advice, Dwayne is both a friend and a brother.&nbsp;

Every now and then life finds a way to create moments that we can celebrate for a lifetime. As Dwayne and Nichelle tie the knot, it will be great to reunite and laugh with friends, it will be fun to share stories of fond memories, but what I most look forward to is helping them celebrate the beginning of their life-long union as one.

Bryan Arnette

&nbsp;I met Nichelle during the whirlwind time frame of awkward middle school dances, 2000's fashion, and BFF bracelets. Surviving interactions with multiple erratic teachers/peers served as the spark for us to bond, grow, and thrive as best friends throughout life’s unpredictable obstacles.&nbsp;&nbsp;Since 6th grade, going strong!

I'm looking forward to being a part of a celebration of black love, while we vibe to drinks and Drake/Rihanna tracks at the reception!

Erin Thurston

Nichelle has been one of the most consistent, loyal, and inspiring friends I’ve ever had. We met on February 12, 2010 and I’ve had her back ever since. We’re probably an odd pair to most, but 7 years later and she’s still the ying to my yang.

I’m looking forward to experiencing the joy, happiness and love that will fill the room when Dwayne and Nichelle say I do. There’s such magic between these two and I can’t wait to be apart of their special day.

Jaleesa Fears

Met DC&nbsp;as a freshman at UCF when an ambitious&nbsp;group of young black men decided to be a part of a created social organization, Krunk Kru. We had fun attending parties/clubs and enjoying the collegiate experience. Following Krunk Kru&nbsp;we&nbsp;unknowingly&nbsp;were both&nbsp;interested in becoming Alpha men and in the fall of 2007 &nbsp;we became line brothers. Spring 2008, we&nbsp;became lifetime friends.

Matthew Bryant

My first friend at UCF and my long distance relationship Libra love!&nbsp; God introduced Nichelle in my life when I needed new, genuine and loyal friends.&nbsp; She's shared friends, family, laughs and cries with me - and now, I&nbsp;get to share in her union of lasting love!

What's not to look forward to?! A celebration of love and joy, Caribbean music and dancing!!

Michelle Mitchell

Wedding Party

Registry

Q + A

Vendors

Parking at The Madison Hotel is about $59 per night. Therefore, I am personally parking three blocks away in one of the many parking garages in D.C.

I found parking garages <a href="https://www.parkingpanda.com/Search/?location=The+Madison+Washington+DC%2c+a+Hilton+Hotel%2c+15th+Street+Northwest%2c+Washington%2c+DC%2c+USA&place=ChIJFdkk7r-3t4kRbDrFEntEsN8#start=07/04/2018&end=07/07/2018&startTime=1200&endTime=1200" target="_blank">here</a>, using Parking Panda, as cheap as $22 per day.

Hotel Parking

The Madison Washington DC, a Hilton Hotel

Travel

Jump on a double-decker bus to explore Washington, D.C. at your leisure. As the authorized concessionaire of the National Park Service, this is the official tour of the National Mall and an ideal way to explore the Nation’s Capital. Scope out attractions such as the White House, Capitol Hill, and the Jefferson Memorial.
Explore D.C. at your own pace as you gain insight into the capital city’s history. Explore the majestic National Mall along 2 routes, hopping on and off as you wish to visit significant monuments like Jefferson, Lincoln, and Martin Luther King, Jr. memorials. You can also spend time discovering the fascinating exhibits of the Air and Space, American History, and Natural History museums between rides.
Soak up the atmosphere in thriving Georgetown as you stroll along the canal and browse the neighborhood's many shops, and make a stop at the National Cathedral and the National Zoo. For a fun change of pace, head to Madame Tussauds, where you can snap photos with lifelike wax sculptures of your favorite celebrities, political figures, and sports idols.
Red Route stops include:
<ul>
<li>Air and Space Museum</li>
<li>Washington Monument</li>
<li>Jefferson Memorial</li>
<li>Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial</li>
<li>National Museum of American History</li>
</ul>
Blue Route stops include:
<ul>
<li>Arlington National Cemetery</li>
<li>Pentagon City Mall</li>
<li>Marine Corps Memorial (Iwo Jima Statue)</li>
<li>Lincoln Memorial &amp; Vietnam Veteran’s War Memorial</li>
<li>WWII Memorial</li>
</ul>
Yellow Route stops include:
<ul>
<li>Dupont Circle</li>
<li>Georgetown Canal &amp; Shops</li>
<li>Georgetown Harbor</li>
<li>White House</li>
<li>Kennedy Center</li>
</ul>

Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Madame Tussauds Admission

With impressive monuments, stately government buildings, and world-class museums, the nation's capital offers up plenty to see and do. Explore it all at your own pace, taking in the sights from a double-decker bus and hopping off at your leisure to delve further into D.C.
Take a seat on a double-decker bus and cruise around town, admiring D.C.'s remarkable architecture, bustling boulevards, and urban green spaces as a guide provides running commentary on the history and culture of the capital of the United States.
Pass by the White House, Union Station, and the Jefferson Memorial, and then hop off at the National Mall to tour stirring monuments like the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial. Pass over the Potomac to pay your respects in Arlington National Cemetery, and then check out the Pentagon, the US Capitol, and the White House for a behind-the-scenes look at where the government works.
Stroll the riverfront promenade in lively Georgetown, step into the hallowed halls of the Smithsonian Institution, and immerse yourself in the rich history and modern, cosmopolitan vibe of Washington D.C.
Red Loop stops include:
<ul>
<li>The White House</li>
<li>Lincoln Memorial</li>
<li>Washington Monument</li>
<li>Smithsonian Institution</li>
<li>The National Cathedral</li>
<li>U.S. Capitol</li>
<li>Vietnam Veterans Memorial</li>
<li>Jefferson Memorial</li>
<li>Union Station</li>
<li>Holocaust Museum</li>
</ul>
Yellow Loop stops include:
<ul>
<li>Ford's Theatre</li>
<li>Constitution Gardens</li>
<li>Georgetown University</li>
<li>Washington National Cathedral</li>
<li>Dupont Circle</li>
</ul>
Purple Loop stops include:
<ul>
<li>Lincoln Memorial</li>
<li>Arlington National Cemetery</li>
<li>Pentagon</li>
</ul>
Night Tour (included in 48-Hour Pass):
<ul>
<li>Lincoln Memorial</li>
<li>Washington Monument</li>
<li>FDR Memorial</li>
</ul>

Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour

Delve into the African American heritage of the United States and its capital city on this local-led tour of D.C. Visit landmarks like Frederick Douglass' house and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and get tickets at the end of your tour to visit the powerful new National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Meet your guide and group and climb aboard a comfortable, air-conditioned coach to set off through D.C. Drive to the home of Frederick Douglass, which he named Cedar Hill, and spend some time visiting the grounds and visitor center. From there, make your way back into the city, exploring historic neighborhoods around Capitol Hill as you seek out landmarks like the statues of Mary McLeod Bethune and Abe Lincoln in Lincoln Park.
Pass by the Howard Theatre, one of the first theaters in the country to be built specifically for African American audiences to attend, and see Dunbar High School, one of the first black high schools in the US. Ride down U Street—the old &quot;Black Broadway&quot;—and pass the campus of Howard University. At the White House, hear the stories of the African American men and women who built this presidential estate and labored within its walls, and then make a stop at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and the African American Civil War Memorial.
Your tour concludes at the Museum of African American History and Culture, where you're given tickets to go inside and spend as much time as you'd like exploring exhibits on community, the visual and performing arts, religion, civil rights, slavery, and segregation.

African American Heritage Tour

Travel over the Potomac to Arlington, Virginia to walk among the sober gardens and clean white gravestones in the 600-acre (242-ha) Arlington National Cemetery. Explore the reverent monuments and memorials of this hallowed ground on a convenient trolley that takes you to the cemetery's major sites.
The land that is now Arlington National Cemetery has played an important role throughout American history, serving as a camp for Federal Troops during the Civil War and as a safe haven for slaves entering the free North. It began to be used for military burials in 1864. Learn about some of the 400,000 heroes, presidents, and veterans buried here, and watch the somber Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
You can move through the cemetery at your own pace, stepping off the trolley for a closer look at different stops which include:
<ul>
<li>Marine Corps War Memorial</li>
<li>President John F. Kennedy Gravesite</li>
<li>U.S. Coast Guard Memorial</li>
<li>Pershing Gravesite</li>
<li>Memorial Amphitheater</li>
<li>Robert E. Lee Memorial</li>
</ul>

Arlington National Cemetery Tour

Visit the familiar locations from the opening credits of the hit Netflix series House of Cards on a guided photography tour. With hands-on instruction from your guide, learn the principal features of your camera, outdoor portraiture, and interior photography without using your flash or a tripod.
Begin with the magnificent architecture of Union Station and then get a look at the Thurgood Marshall Judiciary Building in the afternoon sun. From there, head up Capitol Hill for some of the best travel and architectural photography in the city.
Climb up the steps of the Capitol to capture the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, and the East Front of the Capitol in your viewfinder. You can also see the Senate and House office buildings, the setting for much of Frank Underwood's intrigue, deception, and scheming in the series.
Take the time to unwind and wander the paths of the stunningly beautiful Botanic Gardens as your safari comes to a close.

Nichelle & Dwayne

Nichelle & Dwayne

Photo Gallery