We’re Tying The Knot!

Jackie (Charletta) Edwards, Shawn Berry, Detri Cole, and I were all at Jackie’s mother’s house after a football game. When Tremaine and Efrem Barrett stopped by. I asked our fellow classmate of 94” Tremaine if he had another brother, he asked Are you talking about Boodie? I was like does he wear glasses? And he did. So fast forward to later that night Tremaine, Efrem, Georgia Gold, and Ulysses Barrett stopped back by the house on their way to a surprise engagement party. Everyone that was there that night just laughed talked and had a few drinks. I kept telling Jackie how fine I thought Ulysses was. We all just had a good time that night. So, imagine my surprise when they were leaving and Ulysses came over to me and said, “I would like to get to know you better.” I said, “Okay.” Then he asked, “If I was on facebook?” Of course I was and the next day he started messaging me. We went on our first date one week later. He showed up with a dozen roses. We talked forever that night and we been together ever since.

We actually got engaged three years ago on Valentine’s Day. It was the most romantic weekend getaway that we’ve ever had. I had a feeling that he would propose, so I wanted to be picture ready the whole weekend. But let me start by saying it was a last minute couples weekend. We had tee shirts that said daycation couples getaway 2020. So, there were some planned activities for us. The first was breakfast at Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant and we were to wear the Daycation shirts and everyone there did have one on. Breakfast was running a little long for me and I was ready to get the day started. The next thing I knew my boyfriend at the time wanted to make a speech. I gave him that look like really. He was thanking everyone for including us on the trip and he was rambling. So in my mind I was smh, hoping that telepathically he could read my mind and wrap it up so we could go on the ski lift. But the the tone in his voice shifted and his voice started to quake. Then he made his way around the table and started telling me how much I have changed his life since we met. As he dropped to one knee his whole body was trembling. I instinctively grabbed hold of his arm. He opened up this little burgundy box that held the most beautiful ring that was meant just for me. He said with tears in his eyes that he couldn’t imagine life without me in it and would I give him the honor of becoming his wife. Lezley De’Shawn Washington will you marry me. Here I was with the ugliest cry face and snot nose choking out the words “Yes, yes I will marry you Ulysses Simpson Grant Barrett!” And yes we did actually call each other by our whole names that day. But that didn’t end our weekend we next went on the Gatlinburg Sky-lift. As we went it started snowing and I was looking around to see if it was real snow versus snow machine snow. It was really snowing. We got to take some photos with the mountain skyline in the horizon of our back ground. Next he wanted to get dropped off at the condo while I picked up a few groceries. Unbeknownst to me he was setting the stage for a romantic evening. He met me at the car and grabbed the bags then he escorted me back to the condo where he had rose petals everywhere. He ran a bath with rose petals and candlelight he had roses and a box of chocolates which I don’t eat. As I got closer I realized that he replaced the chocolate with mini Reese Peanut Butter Cups and origami money and the lid of the chocolate had scratch-offs. It was absolutely amazingly perfect. This was easily the best day of my life as a couple.