One of the many of my fondest memories, as if categorical, I have of you, 'Le, was holding the hand of your shy yet inquisitive & curious 4 year old curly ruby cheeked preciousness, FULL of questions, walking towards where our feet took us... to church, bus stops, playing house or princess. We called you Valeria, La Reportera.

Ayyyy, myy chichi ❤️

I met our blushing bride back in Des Moines, Iowa, in January 2013 at an SLG Alumni get-together. We became inseparable & attended concerts, art festivals, farmer’s markets, took roadtrips to MN & Iowa City, enjoyed the finest fried foods the Iowa State Fair could offer, challenged ourselves with sewing, laying out poolside, & enjoyed musicals. The list could keep going on, for there was A LOT that we packed in the 4 years we both lived in the 515.

It’s been 8 years, and life has taken us on different paths; we both have moved from where our incredible friendship began. But still, we’ve made sure to connect and see each other when the stars have aligned in our favor… MIA-ORD-STL. To say I am over the moon that I get to be part of the Beginning of your Happily Ever Hamer’d is putting it mildly…

MoH reporting for duty!!!

My fondest memory of you, Valeria, was when Luke was born in 2016. My grandmother passed away five days after, so my mom had to go to New York, and everyone else was either out of town or had to work. Aside from my mother-in-law, who was able to help for a couple days, you came to see me and stayed far longer than I could’ve ever expected to help me with not just Baby Luke, but to cook and clean. During this time, I felt very lost and helpless. I will forever be grateful for you who helped a new mother navigate the first few weeks of a new life.

My story with Phil and Val started separately, and somehow, through a series of wild, perfectly timed (and mistimed) moments, we all ended up exactly where we were meant to be.

Phil and I met while working at The Muny and became fast friends, along with Neil and then Emily. We bickered, bonded, gave each other unsolicited advice, yet always ended up in each other’s corner. He’s the kind of friend who will lovingly fuss at you and drop life-changing wisdom in the same breath. I’ve genuinely grown so much from our friendship … even when he drove me absolutely nuts. I like to think I helped him along the way, too… or at least made him giggle enough to count for something.

Then there’s Val. The way we met was super random. We were at a party, a college friend visiting St. Louis invited me to. I knew instantly she was one of my soulmates. From that moment on, we kept running into each other, like the universe was nudging us to stay connected. Eventually, we got close, especially once she started hanging out with two of my best friends… Phil and Tee. I remember thinking, “Wow, Val and Phil would actually be amazing together.” But she wasn’t on the market at the time. So, I mentioned it to Phil, but ultimately just let it be.

I ended up building deep friendships with them both, separately. And then… life did what it does. They found each other … on their own time, in their own way.

And now… my two best friends are getting married.

Still blows my mind, honestly. But more than anything, I’m just incredibly grateful! For the timing, the detours, and the divine order that brought us all here. They are two of the most important people in my life, and I’m so glad they are becoming one. 🥰

What to say about the best human in existence?

Our memories are fond and countless; our friendship is made for eternity! Valeria and I officially met in the Music Department at FAMU. I was speaking on the phone in my native language, Portuguese. She stopped what she was doing to ask me about my heritage, and from that moment on, we grew to be a soul family. Valeria exemplifies how to be a strong, caring, optimistic friend. In life & love, she is one of my greatest role models.

My fondest memory with my Val Pal was learning the Bachata and Salsa on the night of my birthday. She took my hand and literally was like a beautiful Afro Latina ballerina fairy dancing around me, showing me the sway of my hips, the point of my step, and how to stay on beat and keep up. I realized how much I loved her because she was opening me to her world sharing her culture with me (which is very sacred to her) and I was honored to be in the moment to see her more than just mi amiga but this amazing woman who’s allowing me to see all of her and learn how amazing she truly is … with two left feet and all. 🥰

I have so many favorite memories with Valeria. I cherish every one of our interactions.

We met as students in the band at FAMU, and our bond was solidified when she joined Sigma Alpha Iota. I was the dean for her line, which presented several opportunities to witness her beauty, caring spirit, strength, and integrity. Since then, we’ve continued to grow closer through various life experiences and more recently in our paths as entrepreneurs.

Valeria is my baby rose, sister, friend, a mirror, business buddy, an inspiration, and my down-for-whatever babe. I adore Valeria and wish her a lifetime of love and abundance.

Ohhhh, Val.... I have seen you grow so much!

My fondest memory in all these years was waking up at 3:00 in the morning, ready to go to work, and the TV was blasting, and you were passed the f**k out on the couch, drooling, and I turned off the TV and went to work (this happened numerous times.)

We’ve been roommates, travel mates, workmates, spades partners (still undefeated if anyone wants these problems!), and above all else, we are brothers.

I have learned from Phillip that faith is important and family is invaluable. That dreams and goals are one in the same. That leading with love is not simply the best way to live, but in fact the only way we should. That we must be intentional about the energy we put into the world, not because we expect it to be reciprocated, but because at each moment we have the opportunity to change someone else’s reality for the better with the simplest of gestures. A big man with a bigger heart, he will always be my little brother, and for that gift, I am forever grateful. Congratulations to you and Val, my guy.

First of all, n***a, for you to ask for one memory is harder than a m****r f****r lol. Between all five years in college, the hometown visits and traveling, we had some damn good times.

With that said, my fondest memory is when you knocked that dude out at the bar after graduation. Which showed that not only were you the most loving person, but also someone not to be f****d with.

It’s impossible to pick just one favorite memory with you because, honestly, it’s been one long highlight reel. From high school days and roller skating to college performances, bowling nights, and all the random adventures in between, we’ve always just had a blast. We’ve gotten into our fair share of funny situations, but what sticks with me most is how we’ve always shown up for each other with support and love, no matter what was going on.

When I think of you, I don’t think of just one moment; I think of a lifelong bond built on laughs, support, and that unspoken brotherhood that’s always been there.

My fondest memory of you and me was your 8th-grade graduation. The look you gave me was priceless when you found out I was there! I hold on to that and pray I can see that look again - frfr!

One of my favorite memories with Phil is a story I tell all the time. He knows it well. We were out at a bar one night, and as I was heading out to the patio, a big dude came pushing his way in. For no reason at all, he shoved me like I was in his way. I checked him on it, and before I knew it, he started acting like he wanted to fight.

That is when Phil stepped in. Out of nowhere, he walked up behind me, towering over the guy, and said, “Why are you messing with my brother?” The whole vibe flipped instantly. The guy started apologizing, backing up quick, saying, “I didn’t know you were with him,” and just like that, he was gone. Honestly, it was hilarious.

It might sound like a small moment, but to me it says everything about who Phil has been in my life. He has been more than just a friend, he’s my big brother. A protector when I needed strength, a voice of reason when I could not find my own, and a constant reminder of what it means to show up with love. Phil has a way of making you feel seen, safe, and believed in, and that is something I will always cherish.

I am proud to call Phil my family, and I cannot wait to stand by his side the way he has always stood by mine. What makes it even more special is being able to see how Val loves him the same way he has always shown up for the people he cares for. I’m grateful my brother has found someone who gives him that same protection, care, and love in return.

Congratulations to Phil and Val. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the love they share and knowing they will have each other throughout life.

I met Phil in the summer of 2007, and we’ve been the best of friends ever since. One moment I often reflect on and truly cherish is the day I contributed to Phil’s first camera. It was his 21st birthday, and he already had a clear vision—to become one of the best photographers in St. Louis.

That day, during a break in our schedule at The Muny, we made a trip to Creve Coeur Camera. Phil made the big purchase, and it felt like the beginning of something special. Looking back, it absolutely was.

Since that moment, Phil has cemented himself in the photography industry as one of the greatest to ever pick up a camera in the St. Louis area. He’s now independent, running his own business, and continuing to bring his creative vision to life every day.

In this wonderful brotherhood of ours, it all started with sports, then it took off like a rocket once we started hanging out, going skating, and now, in our later adult years of life, we are all officially married. What a journey it has been.

Some of my fondest memories are the day we went kayaking with Val and LC, the weddings and different photo shoots, and our talks about life, photography advice, and music.

When you’ve been friends with someone for a little over 2 decades, it’s hard to just recollect ONE memory that is your #1 memory in the friendship. However, 85% of them got disqualified when Phillip said: Momma would be reading them lol. And 3% of them I don’t remember due to 5 concussions in my football career. lol

However, there is one particular memory that even to this day, I will speak about both in regular conversation and even on stage performing jokes: the time me, Phillip, Tony and Lance, all decided to cross Sigma together in college. Four close friends who considered each other brothers decided to make it “official” and become Line Brothers in an official Frat.

Now, when I say it like THAT, it SOUNDS like we actually completed the mission. Well, quite the exact opposite happened. Imagine never getting bullied your entire young life, and suddenly, a few upper-class folks that’s shorter than you get to make up for all of that “missed time” in a few short weeks.

The hazing from that experience was so wild and out of control that even today, pushing 40 years old, I stay ready to fight all those Sigmas on sight lol. During this time, I leaned on Phillip (well, y’all call him Phillip, I call him "Country"). He was a big reason why I kept showing up, allowing myself to get tortured by these 5’7 heathens. Specifically, one night, they told Country to “get in the cut,” and he was to squat down and get hit with a wooden paddle by a mixed martial artist with a Napoleon complex. The only way to get Country out of the cut was for me to recite all 16 or whatever pages of their fraternity. I held my bro’s hand tightly, recited all the pages so fast it probably sounded like “Sbshshshdiskdndbd djkdkdndbdidkr”. It was the first time I could FEEL my bro’s pain in a spiritual sense. I knew that if we could survive THIS, we were officially family…and that we didn’t need the Sigma logo branded on us to define that. And apparently, after about 4 slaps to the butt with a wooden paddle as thick as concrete, he felt we didn’t need the Sigmas either lol.

Country has always been that person willing to “get in the cut” for people he loves and cares about. Willing to take the pain as you figure things out for both of you. I’ve witnessed him do it for plenty of others he deems worthy of it. And I always thank God that I’m one of those people.

If you’re a Sigma and you read this and got offended: GOOD. Two missions complete in one story.

For me, my fondest memory goes back to when we were 'lil kids in elementary at SHAW VPA. You told me that you wanted to do EVERYTHING I did and was doin' at the time. You were so sincere, lol, but out of the pure love that I have for you, I told you, "No! You are going to do yo' own thing, and you are goin' to be better than me, lil cuzz!!" You didn't understand what I did at such a very young age, but you got it and you went off pursuing yo' own thing! I may have had to come to the rescue and see what was up with some situations, but I had to ensure yo' safety, man.

Now look at you! I'm so proud that words can't even express the excitement and happiness I truly feel for you!! I just wish our grandparents could see you now, man.