Michael and Tonya met as freshmen on the campus of the State University of New York, College at New Paltz. There, students of Color developed great friendships, close relationships and ultimately became extended First World Family. Little did Tonya and Michael know, God was planting seeds of friendship in their lives that would blossom into a wonderful relationship over 35 years later. After New Paltz, Michael and Tonya moved back to the city and started careers, families and began to live their lives, but God had a plan. He used the couples love for travel to periodically allow their paths to cross. They would run into each other at airports and rest stops and would be elated to see one another. In between travel sightings, social media became the catalyst used to bring Michael and Tonya together., Although, they were Facebook friends, neither frequented their pages regularly; however they would reach out to each other from time to time, sending birthday messages and liking pictures. In November of 2021, Michael made it clear via Facebook messenger, he was interested in more. From that moment on, they began to correspond more, date, talk for hours on the phone and develop the foundations of a close and loving relationship. Today, Michael and Tonya are in love and committed to sharing the rest of their lives together!