One bored evening, Malik happened to be browsing a website that connects people through mutual connections using Facebook. He saw Toni's gorgeous face and could not resist asking her out on a date. Malik planned a lovely date at a rooftop bar at a historic hotel. The evening was beautiful......but Toni was cold. From there, Malik and Toni visited 5 different restaurants throughout the city until Toni was satisfied. Malik still to this day can't believe he did that, true love makes you lose your sense sometimes. Toni clearly loves Malik with all of her belly, she would say she loves him with all of her heart, but her belly is bigger!

Malik wanted to wait for the perfect moment to propose. With that in mind he scheduled a date night, as he and Toni do every Sunday, and told Toni that they would be going to a local Spanish restaurant. Toni, thinking Malik was being cheap because she saw him prepay for the meal, was not amused. However, Malik had a plan under his sleeve....he was actually taking Toni to an exclusive Michelin star restaurant to which Toni was pleasantly surprised, the waiter brought out a bottle of vintage Dom Pérignon and gave Toni the last of the truffles for the season. After the meal, Malik was still contemplating where to propose, the stars looked nice so he took Toni to Union Market...but union market was closed. Toni, still did not know what was going on at this point. The couple walked home, with Toni mostly talking Malik's ear off. Malik entered their home first, leaving Toni chatting his ear off, not paying attention, to close the door. As Toni closed the door, Malik got down on one knee and asked Toni to spend the rest of her life with him. Toni....completely shocked, and through tears, said absolutely! And from there on out...Malik realized that Toni was his....forever...no refunds.

Malik was born in Brooklyn, New York. He is the son of Seymour Hodge of Anguilla, British West Indies and Beverly Powell of Oxford, Mississippi. Malik grew up on Long Island in New York and upon graduating from high school, attended Morehouse College in Atlanta. Following graduation, Malik moved to Washington, D.C. where he has lived since and ultimately met Toni.  Malik loves to travel, having visited Morocco, Greece, Egypt, South Africa, and many more places for both work and pleasure. Malik is a huge Philadelphia Eagles and New York Mets fan and loves to attend games. Malik is also an avid cyclist and enjoys running and exercising frequently.

Toni was born to Larry Jennings of Vicksburg, Mississippi and Wanda Jennings of Natchez, Mississippi. She grew up in the beautiful city of Stone Mountain, Georgia in eastern Atlanta. Toni received her bachelor's degree from Oglethorpe University, Juris Doctorate from Howard University School of Law, and masters degree from Georgetown University.  Toni is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and is currently a member of the Xi Omega chapter in Washington, DC. Toni also serves as the Director of Veterans Affairs for the National Bar Association’s YLD Division and is the Diversity Liason for the American Bar Association Tax Section.  In her spare time Toni likes to shop and eat. Toni is also a huge New Orleans Saints fan, Geaux Saints!