In the summer of 1979, my cousin Natalie and I were chased by dogs to an Oxford Rec Center party. I was determined to find a way home before enjoying the party. I spotted Carl, a close friend of my cousin Kenny's, I knew Carl had a green bug, and I asked him if he minded giving us a ride home after the party. He said yes with no questions asked. Thanksgiving of 1979; Kenny, Jan, and I were visiting before our guest arrived, and I started asking Kenny and Jan about his friend Carl. I expressed how nice I thought he was for going out of his way to give us a ride. Without knowing, Kenny called Carl to come over, I was shocked to see him at my door...I slammed the door in his face and told Kenny there was someone at the door for him. A few months later, I called Carl to a Spring Fling High School dance, but he declined because he was dating someone else. In April 1980, my girls and I went to the Disco Track (a youth dance club) and who was there? Carl! We danced throughout the night, as I was leaving, he asked if he could call me. Carl called shortly after I got home from the dance club, which started a lifelong relationship.

Carl and I have been married and divorced twice, with the last divorce on March 2011. Over the 31 years, we have experienced much of life together, experiencing ups and downs, raising two kids, Deniesha and Carl II, and watching our kids start their families. After eight years of re-establishing our relationship, Carl woke me up early on Christmas morning to open up my Christmas gifts. He had me open up several gifts and then finally pulled a small package out of his nightstand. I opened the small box containing an engagement ring and he proceeded to ask (for the first time) if I would marry him and be with him for another 40 years? I always said I would get married again only if I was asked, as our previous marriages were basically out of obligations to raise our growing family. With overwhelming emotions, I said YES!!!!! On December 25, 2020, I counter-proposed to Carl with an engagement ring to confirm my commitment to our lives together moving forward.

The significance of our wedding date is the 40th anniversary of our first wedding, held on February 26, 1983. We are both very excited to have each and every one of you join us to celebrate our union.