Although we both went to West Orange High School, we were not actually introduced to each other until my best friend had a birthday party in 2010. Oddly enough, me and Tori both showed up wearing the same shirt pattern and colors, black and white plaid (we were on the same wavelength even then.) We didn’t talk much that night because there were a few distractions and hurdles. After that night, Tori contacted me a couple of times on social media but just as a check in, “hey, how have you been” sort of thing. We didn’t see each other again until I came home for a Christmas visit while living in Oklahoma. That same best friend, Tiffany, and Tori’s cousin, Frank, invited each of us to Taco Tuesday. We hung out and Tori and Frank were the perfect, protective gentlemen. Tori says he was checking me out the whole night, but I was completely oblivious to it until the end of the night. The evening continued with some laughs, dancing and good conversation, then Tori saw an opening. He and I were the designated drivers that evening so he took it upon himself, in true Tori fashion, to get my phone number. He said, “let me see your phone.” Earlier I told him I didn’t know how to get home from Downtown so I assumed he was giving me his number in case I got lost. Then I realized he was actually calling himself from my phone so he’d have my number. I know this because he turned around and yelled, “aye call me, it didn’t go through.” I called him and he proceeded to save my number that I did not give him lol. We drove our friends home, then he trailed me to make sure I made it home okay. We ended up talking out front for hours.

Tori said he knew that night he wanted to pursue more. He said, “we should go out on a date.” I said, “lol, ok.” I thought he was joking until he called me a couple of days later and said, “you ready for our date?” I was intrigued. He came off so confident, self-assured, and knew what he wanted. So we went on a date, then spoke on the phone for hours every night for 4 months. During that time I was facing a lot of big decisions that were pretty stressful. All of a sudden, Tori recommended we get off the phone each night, go to our prayer closets and spend some time with the Lord. We called it the “Hour of Power.” Afterwards we would call each other and talk about our experience. It was during one of our “Hour of Power” sessions that God told me Tori would be my husband. I knew it had to be God because a relationship wasn’t on my mind, let alone marriage! In April, Tori decided to spend his 30th birthday in Tulsa, Oklahoma with me. I knew then I had to give this man a chance lol. He asked me the day before his birthday to be his girlfriend. Before I knew it I said, “yes.” Best decision I’ve made!

It all began with what I like to call the introduction. Tiff had one of her epic birthday parties in 2010. I walked through the door and Danielle was the first person I saw. I immediately said to my self “ouuu I like that.” I walked in, and her being a gracious host, she says to me, “hi, I’m Danielle.” I replied and said, “hi, I’m Tori.” She then says, “you have a nice smile.” At this time I have a big smile on my face and reply “thank you, you do too.” That night I tried to holla at her, but it was some major blocking going on that stopped it from happening. So I just asked her what was her name on Facebook and sent her a friend request. Little did I know that was just God showing me a glimpse of my future. Fast forward to December 29, 2015 me and my cousin Frank decide to go to Taco Tuesday at Wall Street. I tell him to invite Tiff (his best friend), so that she can bring Danielle. He makes it happen and we all meet up at Taco Tuesday. I played it cool and observed her after we greeted each other. After a while me and cuh asked the ladies if they wanted a drink and we went to the bar. While headed to the bar I kept looking at Danielle and stumbled over my feet. Cuh said, “boy you ok?” I’m like “yea, but boy Danielle FINE!!!” He laughs and we proceed to the bar. We come back and we all are enjoying ourselves while laughing at musty bystanders. I decided to start a little convo and asked her how she’s been and how is Tulsa. Later that night she was getting annoyed at the musty bystander, so as an intentional distraction, I politely took her phone, she said, “what are you doing?” I said, “I’m putting my phone number in your phone.” She looks shocked and said ok. I called my phone to get her number not knowing that it didn’t go through. She leaves to get in the car, so we can go to IHOP. I looked at my phone after I realized it didn’t go through and shouted, “aye call my phone, it didn’t go through.” She did it and I was in the game coach!

I told her I would follow her to make sure that she made it home safely. She was driving like Speed Racer. I’m thinking ‘dang if she didn’t want me to know where she lived that’s all she had to say,’ but I kept up though lol. I quickly realized that’s how she drives on a regular. We get to the house and I walk her to the door. I asked her when is she leaving for Tulsa. I then tell her that we have enough time to go on a date Saturday. She thinks that I’m joking and says, “yea ok.” I call her a few days later to wish her a Happy New Year and asked if she was ready for our date. She replied, “oh, you were for real?” I’m like YEA! So she agrees. Saturday gets here and I’m nervous as all get out, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at me. We ended up doing dinner and a movie. The convo was flowing and we are telling each other our dreams and what we believe our purpose in life is. She mentions that she needs to get someone to do a website for a business that she wants to start. I smile and say, “I know how to do that.” Next thing you know, we make plans for me to come over the next day to start the website. After dinner it was the slowest drive home. I was doing 5 under the speed limit. Our conversation was still flowing as we pulled up to her house. We stayed out front and talked until 6am. Over the next few months we talked every night for hours. It became clear the role she would play in my life. She began having a few life challenges so I told her, “let’s dedicate an hour to God each night for a week. We’ll call it ‘hour of power.’” We got closer to God and each other. After the hour was over each night we would share our experience. Finally, I decided to spend my 30th birthday in Tulsa with her. It was a big deal because one, it was a major birthday, two, she lived in Tulsa and I had only been on a plane once prior to that trip. April 16, 2016 the day before my birthday I asked her to be my girlfriend. She said yes. We been moving in God’s footsteps ever since.