We’re getting married!!!

As cliché as it may sound, I met Reese while I was walking my dog, Khaleesi. During the Quarantine, Khaleesi and I started taking super long walks through my neighborhood in Downtown Atlanta. One day, I noticed a vacant restaurant that we frequently passed had finally opened. Coincidently, plans for a friend's birthday celebration were in the works and we were looking for a COVID friendly venue. I mentioned the venue to the group and when I finally stopped to visit, I was greeted by Chauncey (Reese). Reese had recently moved to Atlanta and was part owner and GM of the restaurant he opened with his friend from college. Extremely accommodating, he gave me the grand tour which ended with him conveniently giving me his electronic business card. The business-driven conversations and restaurant visits, transitioned to friendly phone conversations where we spent a great deal of time getting to know each other. One night, after being on the phone for almost SIX-hours, it was revealed that Reese had an upcoming Birthday (June 3rd). On his birthday, I stopped by the restaurant to surprise him with a small token of appreciation, we chatted for a bit, and I left honestly thinking this would be the last time I saw him (for a while anyway). Well, during his commute home, he called to say thanks again for the gift and I began to inquire about his "Born day, plans.” To my surprise, he didn’t have any plans and he stated he was probably going to bed after his workout. He then asked what I was doing at the current moment, and I informed him that I was about to move, and I was in the process of packing. Shockingly, he offered to spend his birthday evening, with me, HELPING ME PACK!! So, of course, I thought he was joking, but he was persistent in offering his services! “Acts of Service” is my love language and I absolutely HATE packing, so I took him up on his offer, and in true Reese form, he spent the evening of his Born Day helping me pack. The packing situation of course led to more conversations, and, again, not to sound cliché but, the rest is not history, but the beginning of "Our Story!"

December 12, 2021, was the day that ​I​ was all going to set​ it​ in motion. While working the night before to make sure everything was set up perfectly, to allow the plan to flow without a hitch, the moment arrived. ​I​ picked up​ Kenya​ from the airport, and after a stop for breakfast, we were in route for the “festivities.” The master bed was adorned with Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark chocolates arranged in the shape of a heart, as the Yellow-Stone Diamond Ring was placed in the center. In order, for the master plan to come into fruition, Kenya would have to venture to the bedroom, which almost never happens upon arriving at home. However, maybe she already knew something was brewing as she sprinted up the stairway. Not expecting this to happen, I had to drop her luggage and proceed afterwards, to be in position. Upon her entry, she noticed the heart-shaped candy on the bed, but as she further inspected, she noticed something in the middle, and responded, “What Is This? What Is This? Are you Kidding Me, Is this really happening,” all while laughing, hysterically? As Kenya turned to inquire, she noticed I’d assumed the position of one knee, and asked “Would you Marry Me?” With her hysterical laughter, she began to state, “This isn’t real, this isn’t happening?” Amidst all the laughter, she failed to answer the question initially, but after a moment replied with a resounding “YES!!” The moment of laughter quickly turned to tears of Joy, which was shared with our respected families, individually. Again, another chapter added to “OUR STORY!!”