Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we have made the difficult decision to proceed with our marriage on September 26, 2020 with our immediate family present. However, we look forward to celebrating our vow renewal and one-year anniversary celebration with each and every one of our extended family and friends on October 16, 2021. We are saddened that we will not be able to celebrate with you this year but, please know, we are greatly anticipating our overdue celebration for when we are all safe to gather again.

Valerie and Jerry met during their time working for a public charter school in Detroit. Valerie knew Jerry as the incredibly smart and hard-working "data guy." Jerry knew Valerie as a cute first-year teacher who had no idea what she was getting herself into. Their first official interaction is still something they joke about - the poor guy had to come to Valerie's school and break the news that she was going to have to make a major adjustment in her teaching. Little did he know that his kind and caring demeanor during that conversation was already changing her heart. Fast forward a few months, a few awkward conversations, and a few sneaky comments from their co-workers, and they were on our first date at Shangri-La. The rest, as they say, is history. They bonded on that first date over their love of education, social justice, long-term goals and ideas, and interesting family stories. They laughed and joked and Jerry even had Valerie trying new foods (which, if you knew her before Jerry, this was not an easy thing to do). As they now prepare for their wedding day, they are increasingly excited to share such a special day with each and every one of you.