According to Steven, Charlene never came to Economics class during their sophomore year at Howard University. According to Charlene, she was there...just maybe not as much as she should have been. Either way, they met each other in 2005 but it took 6 more years for them to reconnect. After graduation, Steven remained in Washington, DC and Charlene moved to Chicago. When Charlene moved back to D.C. and Steven noticed she was also back in town he asked for her number. Shortly after, they went on their first date.

Although Charlene regulated their second date to a Tuesday night (which was not prime date night according to Steven), that was the night Charlene knew she could see herself on thousands of more dates with him. Date number 2 turned into tons more. After just 6 months, they crazily decided to move in together which immediately took things up a notch! In 2013, Steven moved to Dallas for a new job and Charlene stayed in DC. She wasn't quite ready to let go of the east coast life, but it didn't take long for her to know she wanted to be wherever Steven was. With Charlene's family in Dallas, Steven's parents retired in Texas and Steven's new job in Dallas, the move made even more sense for their relationship. In 2014 Charlene and Steven started the next phase of their relationship together in Dallas.

6 years exactly from their first date in 2011, Steven proposed to Charlene on a Downtown Dallas rooftop. She thought they were on their way to dinner to celebrate another year together. As Charlene got off the rooftop elevator she was greeted with six large balloons, numbered 1-6. The balloons along with a photo from each year of their relationship graced the top of white stone columns with a professional photographer waiting on the rooftop to capture the entire moment! After months of planning in secret (without even family or friends knowing) Steven got down on one knee next to the number 6 balloon and asked Charlene to spend the rest of her life with him. They are beyond excited to share their union with you.