I had been working as a receptionist at the Credit Union for over a year when Michael was hired as a teller. I hadn't really dated in awhile, so a friend of mine suggested that we try online dating together for 3 days and then delete it. On Day 2, I received 2 messages from Michael. The first one said "You are so beautiful". The second one said "Oh, wait! I think I work with you"! I ignored both. With the help of my friend Tania, Michael seriously asked me out. After a year of friendship, Michael invited me to a jazz festival in Richmond, VA. We got to see artists like Erykah Badu, Elle Varner and the Isley Brothers. With the beauty of Maymont as our backdrop and the stars above us, I realized that I had deeper feelings for Michael. Three days later, we made it official.

I had just transferred branches within the credit union to work closer to home. I had only been with the Credit Union for 4 months at that point as a teller, I was still getting to know people. I was setting up my drawer, when I noticed a beautiful woman dressed in a maroon cardigan with bouncing curls cooly take her seat behind the reception desk. I asked a senior Teller what the woman’s name was. She told me it was Corinne. At this time in my life, I was struggling to find the one. Like most freshly minted college grads, I decided to try online dating. I scrolled through the many options until I came across a beautiful woman in a cool purple dress with bouncing curls. Another pic she posted she had retro glasses. Her profile was pretty bare and non-descript, but I decided to message her anyway. I realized the second I sent the message that this was the same beautiful administrative assistant that I worked with. Corinne! Oh no. Crap! Well, work was now going to be awkward. To my surprise, however , I developed a friendship with Corinne, although I still had feelings for her, always trying to impress her with a new style I was trying out. But she wouldn’t budge , so I figured I give up and just value our dynamic as a friendship. I took her to a Jazz festival at Maymont. Through the neo soul awkwardness of Elle Varner to smooth sound of the Isley Brothers to the enchanting witchcraft of Erykah Badu, we realized that we couldn’t just be friends. We fell in love.

We were in New York City for the second time. The morning of December 28th, we had breakfast with Michael's cousin Peter and walked to the World Trade Center. That evening, we had dinner with Michael's cousin Billy and his wife Jill. After dinner we decided to go to Rockefeller Center to see the tree and the Sak's light show. Michael for some reason was acting weird and was very frustrated at everything. To try and save the night, I suggested that we watch the light show, take pictures or go in FAO Schwartz. Michael wasn't having any of it. So at this point I was ready to go back to the hotel. As we walked out of the NBC building, Michael suggested we stand by a pillar nearby, because the tree at Rockefeller Center was too crowded. He got down on one knee.