Back in 2016, I had a friend who would always go to Atlanta. He met Tori through one of her friends. The three of them would go out in Atlanta and then he would come back and brag about how much fun they had. He would always say, “You have to come meet Tori, you have to come meet Tori!” He would show me pictures of the 3 of them and I wished I could be a part of the festivities…

At the time I was in a relationship and I never got the chance.

Through the years her name would pop up in conversations within our friend group and I would think “I’m bound to run into her one day…”

Fast forward 4 years later, in March of 2020, that same friend brought up Tori’s name. I asked him if she was single and he said she was. This time I didn’t have any ties or obligations except for taking care of Myla and Alex… I would quickly learn she was interested in me, because she was single too…. butttt she lived in Orlando… and not in Atlanta anymore. Something told me that night we would eventually cross paths.

Every year that friend and I would celebrate our birthdays in July. In June we started talking about what we would do that year. Later on, I found out Tori and JJ were planning our birthday weekend - which is funny because I still hadn’t met Tori. They made a group chat with the 4 of us and we all started talking and planning about what we would do and what we would wear. I had no idea what I was going to wear and I made that known in the groupchat. We had talked about dressing up in black or wearing suits but I was very indecisive. I was in the process of changing out my closet.

Tori messaged me individually out of the groupchat and I was surprised. She said she wanted to see what I was going to wear. I was very nervous. I think I might have even put on cologne with the outfit even though I was showing her over the phone! She FaceTimed me and told me what looked good and what shoes to wear with my outfit… and what looked crazy. She was very kind and sweet to me and I’ll never forget that.

We met for the first time at the Airbnb. My friend told me she thought I was cute so I knew I had to bring my “A game.” The whole weekend was amazing… we had so much fun. I knew every moment I had, I had to make it count and my first impression I had to make my best because after all, you can only make a first impressions once!

That Sunday, after lunch we walked from the Beltline to one of her Dads restaurants. She asked me if I wanted more kids and I told her of course. A few moments later I met Tim, but only as a friend of Tori. I knew our weekend was coming to an end because she had to drive back to Orlando and I asked her if I could come see her. She didn’t believe I would actually come, but I had already made up my mind I had to see her again.

After that last weekend in July, I drove 7 hours every other weekend from Gainesville (North GA) to Orlando, Florida from August to December to see Tori. I would take off work Friday and drop the kids off at school and get on the road and later on I started calling out sick or having car problems on the Mondays I went to the point my supervisor picked up on my habit. I think after the 4th time I told him who I was going to see and he would vouch for me to his supervisor. He approved and supported me every time. I was living with my mom and younger brother, Zachary, in her basement and I had Myla and Alex half of the week and every other weekend.

That first weekend I knew she liked to drink tequila so I brought a bottle of Don Julio as a gift, because my mom always told me you don’t go over to people’s houses without a gift. When I got there I knew I had to be on my A game. We went to this new Mexican restaurant up the street from her apartment complex called - Don Julio!

She asked me what we wanted to call it since we were going out to eat and I told her I was taking her out on a date and it was a date. I remember how big she smiled and I was smiling too.

That Saturday, I remember being nervous meeting Dom and Taylor because I knew they were her best friends and if they didn’t like me, I ain’t have a shot in this world. I knew I had to be on my best behavior and just be myself.

That same Sunday, She told me she was going to marry me and at first I thought she just talking or joking around like she always does but I knew she was serious.

On October 10, 2020 she asked me when I was going to ask her to be my girlfriend because we both had made it known we were both serious about each other. I had planned to ask her as soon as I got there, but she hurried me into drinking pre - workout and going straight to the gym. Soon after that, I asked Tim if we could sit down and talk. I told him I loved Tori and I wanted to get a place with her, but wait until May. Tori and I spent Thanksgiving together in Orlando and then that December, she said she couldn’t wait anymore and honestly, I couldn’t wait anymore either. I was ready for her to be with me. So I brought an extra suitcase after Thanksgiving and got a 1 way plane ticket to Orlando to help her pack and drive the Uhaul up to my mom’s house. Her and Xara moved into my mom’s basement with me, Myla, and Alex until we could find a place. Those were the basement days!

April 8, 2021 we found out we were having a new baby and December of 2021 we had Frankie Joe Reid.

We got engaged August 17th in 2022, and added another baby, Antonio Vincenzo Reid in June of 2023.

Whether it be fate or destiny, I believe everything happens for a reason and everything happens in the right timing. We often talk about - what if we would have met earlier and where we would be, but I know God had a greater plan and he wanted us to grow into the people we were suppose to be first, before we officially met.

Tori is the love of my life, my rock, my forever companion. I love her so much and I can’t wait to marry her and spend the rest of my life with her.