Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Intergenerational Center

Wedding Day Events

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

Reception

Our Wedding

For the longest time, the thought of me finding a husband never crossed my mind. I never thought I would find "my person". It started off as a typical Saturday night in Mid-March out with my Souljah Girlz Sistahs to a local bike club party having a carefree night of laughs, dancing and cutting up. I was being the "life of the party" doing my debut as a DJ on the 1's and 2's. A handsome guy was talking to one of my SG Sistahs and she proceeded to introduce us. I remember the moment he stood up I turned to my girls and said "Damn, that's a tall glass of iced water right there!" Following the introduction, I went back to partying with my crew. Later on, Rick made his way over to me and asked for my number but his phone was dead, so I took his instead. Leaving the party, I wondered if he really wanted me to call him. This handsome man crossed my mind a lot the following day so that evening I called him and he answered. We talked a lot the following week, and I ended up inviting him over to my apartment for a quick visit. Our first date was a lunch date at Ruby Tuesday; he was such a different type of guy. He opened doors, pulled out chairs and even shared his food off his plate (he'll say I evaded his space and just ate off his plate LOL).I often prayed for a good strong man to help build me up from being broken so many times before. Being that "Make it happen" type of person I was, it wasn't an easy task for me to allow Rick to be the man that I needed. Through it all he has loved me beyond measure and has shown me what it's like to be loved by a man whole-heartedly. In May of 2023, we took a family trip to Cancun. Little did I know, Rick had planned a surprise engagement to take place while we were there. On the evening of May 18, he surprised me in a way that left me speechless. During the group photo shoot, the photographer stated it was my turn to take solo pictures. Once we were finished, I turned around to find Rick on one knee with a ring in his hand asking me to be his wife and of course I said YES!I can truly say that in Rick I know I've found my person, my everything. Now he can say "That night a DJ saved his life."

Sonya's version

Following a club meeting, I went to a party at another chapter’s (Preston) clubhouse. Honestly, I didn't want to go but a club brother talked me into going with him and some other brothers. While there, I ran into an old friend from high school who was there with some of her club sisters. She introduced all of the ladies that were with her but this one stood out to me, “Queen Bee”. Later I asked my old high school friend what was up with Ms. Queen Bee and her reply was "as far as I know nothing". She proceeds to call her over and I discovered her real name was Sonya and that’s where the conversation began. We talked for a while until my ride was ready to leave. I asked her for her number, but when I went to open my phone, of course it was dead! I asked her to take my number and call me the next day. When I stood up to leave, she looked at me smiling, rubbed my arm and said "oh you a tall drink of water” and all I could do was laugh. Thankfully she called the next day. We talked each day the following week and agreed to meet, but of course she forgot me and we had to change our plans. My first visit to her apartment was filled with a lot of excitement (loud music playing and banging at her door). Let's just say an old flame showed up, but that didn't stop me from returning. The following weekend I asked her to lunch (our first official date). We enjoyed ourselves, but she made me think twice when she reached over and ate off my plate. I was thinking I can't believe she just stuck her fork into my food. LOL We've been inseparable ever since. For all the years we've been together, it still feels like when we first met. I knew following that first date that we would never leave each other’s side. I know now what it is to love and to be loved in return. As my Queen always says, "I have your back, front and sides, she's got me.”

Richard's version

Our Love Story

Photos

Sonya Gibbs & Richard Bowser Sr.

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Sonya & Richard

Sonya & Richard

Q & A

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