We Still Do! Our 10th Anniversary!

1999-2001. 22 years ago, We met as pre-teens in middle school. We don’t remember the exact hour or day but we remember being dance partners & classmates! Al. “Sina’e was always nice to me and one of the only Girls who would dance with me”. Sina’e “ I worked him each time and was determined to teach him how to dance”. In middle school we both gave our lives to Christ & we’re baptized. Our pastor who mentored us in college was also a teacher at our middle school. Looking back we never noticed God’s protection that far back in just our friendship. From day one we were always friends! In fall 2002 we went to separate high schools. Our senior year of high school we reconnected in May 2006 while in line for the “X” coaster at Six Flags Magic Moutain. We exchanged numbers (right in front of Sinae’s boyfriend at the time) & stayed connected ever since. It was never in our plans to date. We were just old friends catching up. In January 2007 we both lost loved ones. We checked in on each other and decide to go bowling. Al says this was the first official date but Nae says we were just friends! In this you can see where life changing & sad news Turnt into good! We simply enjoyed each other’s presence.

From that moment on we talked everyday & in February 2007 we made it official that we were a couple. Nae was judgmental & told no one that we were dating because she assumed that Al was going to be like most athletes & be a cheater. I (Nae) knew Al was serious once he decided to change his “MySpace” status & he broadcasted “In a relationship” with “Sina’e Ward” on his status. For the new heads this is equivalent to posting pics of us together on his Instagram. As we dated in our college years we had ups & downs. We always talked out our differences. From high school through college I (Nae) worked at the famous “In-In-Out Burger”; cheered & danced in college along with completing 2 Majors (Health Science & Theatre Arts) & 2 minors (Biology & African Studies). I have street credit to say I was the head money maker in our first 5 years together! As our college years came to an end, Nae thought the relationship was coming to a end too. Al was drafted to the NFL & moved to Tennessee. We saw each other once a month if Nae was able to fly out. Nae was stubborn & didn’t want Al to pay for her flights #independent. The realization of the travel expense was kicking in for Nae. Getting a job with good pay was a battle for Nae so she was considering entering the Air Force. In the mix of this, Al told me (Nae) he was not ready to get married anytime soon. He was planning to propose but he wanted to surprise Me. Meanwhile we both graduated from college in spring 2011. In October 2011 we were engaged. We both saved ours VIRGINITIES for marriage & On July 14, 2012 we made our life long commitment to each other, under God! Then we were both in Tennessee. Nae got an exciting job as soon as she moved to TN. Then the Titans woman’s Association invited her to bible study. She made a ultimate decision to stop working the new job & joined bible study & ran community projects with a awesome shelter: “Room in the INN”. Al & Nae joined bible studies, found a church home & made everlasting friendships! Little know this but Nae was a “No” vote on having kids. God poured into her Heart of course! In 2013 Nae was pregnant with, Avai’. In January 2014 Al made it to the Pro-Bowl. Nae was depressed that she could not make it. feb 20th 2014 Avai’ was born. 1 month after Avai’ was born Al signed with a new team; Nae packed up & they moved to Tampa Bay, Florida. In June 2014 we bought our first house! In June 2015 we bought our second house! August 19, 2015 Ano’a was born, at home & Al delivered him. A month later Nae had surgery to remove cancerous lumps from her breast & was blessed to still exclusively breastfeed. Fall 2016 Al’s dad and Nae’s grandma passed away. We are soo thankful for all of the love and prayers. that we had over us during these trials in life please know that we thank you if we didn’t specifically tell you!! Then We took in our nephew and homeschooled him. In February 2017 Al was released from The BUCs. We moved to our California home. Spring of 2017 we went on a large family vacation as a dedication to Daddy V and Grandma Nelly. God’s humor; In summer we moved back to Florida as Al signed with the Dolphins. August 2017 Nae’s grandpa passed away. Then we got pregnant with A’mil: born February 13, 2018 at home & delivered by Al. 1 month later they moved back to California. From 2018. In 2019 Al interviewed with teams, played golf & worked out. In April 2019 Al signed & retired with the Titans! In June 2019 Al went to school for a dual Masters in Education: Math & teaching credentials & worked teaching high school math. We also remodeled our home. In May 2020 our 4th son, Aman was born. Al, Avai’, Ano’a & A’mil graduated. Al from NYU, Avai’ from kinder, Ano’a from TK and Amil was toilet trained! In 2021 we went cross country in the US & Ano’a graduated from kinder! Long story not short, Now it’s 2022 & We Still Do! We hope we see you soon!