Our Story: Dionne & Andre
Marriage is challenging enough without the added strain of medical issues. But Dionne and Andre learned to support each other through it all.
Our Story: Felicia & Karega
Uniquely enough, though our love was cultivated within HBCU culture, our love story did not start at Hampton University.
Our Story: Keith & Jenni
Our love story is no fairytale. However, it did begin one dark, gloomy night in 2006.
All Couples to the Front — We Want Your “Transparent Tuesday” Stories!
Courtesy of @photosbyreem/Instagram Can we be honest? Relationships take work. It requires compromise and sacrifice and we know firsthand experiences help people understand that more than anything. Transparent Tuesdays is a day to relay some personal hurdles that we’ve had to overcome in our relationships. To embrace your emotions and share something you've learned about yourself since committing to your partner and/or marriage. Are you ready to get transparent about your relationship? If so email our Editor Yasmine Jameelah at yasmine@blacklove.com. Related Articles: #WhyISaidIDo – From Sneaky Links to Blended Interfaith Family: Salah & Jasmine Our Story: Clyde & Jasmin Our Story: Matthew & Marnel
Our Story: Clyde & Jasmin
Courtesy of Jasmin Chapman I fell in love [...]
Our Story: Larry & Marita
Credit: Marita Campbell Larry and I met at [...]
Our Story: Roderick & Cherise
Credit: Cherise Miller The year was 1995. The place was Tougaloo College. We met on a “he wants to meet you but hasn’t said anything” type of vibe. Just a few weeks after learning his interest in me, I approached Rod when I noticed him sitting outside of the library. He will tell you I was quite bold in my approach. On the other hand, I remain true to the situation being a very humble introduction of myself. What we can both agree on is right there in that moment we instantly clicked. Before our meeting, he spotted me walking from the financial aid office wearing a sundress, an anklet and exuding “The Last Dragon” glow. He said that moment solidified it all as he thought to himself, I was going to be his wife. I was clueless to his proclamation, but yet I was quietly enjoying the late-night conversations about religion, politics, family, and poetry. A few months passed, and we became a safe place to land for each other. However, since I was committed to someone back home, he respected the boundaries of our relationship to fully express his heart's deepest desire. EXCEPT for this one time… One night cemented our deep love for each other without us even knowing. I allowed Rod to sneak upstairs into my all girl’s dorm room, and we stayed up all-night talking for hours. We shared poetry, and he sang Luther Vandross songs while massaging my soul. I felt safe in my vulnerability with him, and he also felt safe with me. What a night! It's important to mention that Rod and I never shared any physical intimacy while in college. Not even that night of soul massaging. Time passed, and trauma erupted in Detroit, which prompted me to transfer to Eastern Michigan University to be closer to my family. A few years after our initial meeting and my departure from Tougaloo, I received a letter that would later change the scope of what I envisioned for my husband. Rod poured his heart out to me, and I didn't respond until nearly three years later. Six years after his secret proclamation and two and a half years after I became a mom to Isaiah. After many years apart, I missed my old friend. But once we reconnected via letters and a few phone calls, he flew to Detroit to visit me and meet my son Isaiah. When Rod exited the plane, he smelt like Frankincense and myrrh essential oils. My heart skipped a beat toward my forever friend and soon to be the love of my life. It was clear at that moment this was the "He" I'd written about in my poetry. The one I prayed for and who proclaimed his undying love for me in that letter I received in 1997. This was the "He" who promised himself that if ever given another chance, he wouldn't let me get away. With time finally, on our side, we were indeed ready for love! Growing up, neither of us had blaring examples of what love and a successful marriage were, so we weren't necessarily shopping for a spouse in college. Early on, we experienced challenges resulting from Isaiah, and I moving to Richmond from Detroit. During this time, I felt I couldn’t be myself in communicating differences of opinion without being accused of being cold or dismissive. But I have come to understand the complexities of stress brought about by Rod giving up the freedoms of being a poetic single free bird and becoming a married father and leader of his family. Because of the obstacles we previously faced, we now understand what doing the work means to sustain a healthy marriage. We understand to have a happy, functional family with a close connection for generations to come; we must do the ‘work.’ We know that our marriage takes a conscious commitment to avoid getting caught up in the day to day requirements of adulting with children. But each day, we're continuing to learn that we must consistently invest in our relationship to remain connected as a solid unit and foster a lasting love. Reflections by @cutslikeagirl
Our Story: Andrew & Shaquana
Shaquana and I met in college at Virginia State University; we were introduced by a mutual friend on campus on "The Yard” at Foster Hall.
Our Story: Matthew & Marnel
Courtesy of Matthew and Marnel Goins My wife, [...]
Our Story: Damon & Jennifer
Credit: @_jemarie I’ll never forget the first day [...]
Our Story: Frederick & Kaneisha
Courtesy of Cherry Masen Photography “God’s favor is [...]
Our Story: Brazley & Deanna
Couresty of Brazley Barnes Deanna "Dee" and I [...]
Our Story: Marvin & Deya
Courtesy of SixEleven Visuals Marvin and I met [...]
Our Story: Clavon & Courtney
Courtesy of Courtney Jubrey I NEVER wanted to [...]
Our Story: Angel & Jason
We are Jason and Angel Scott. We met on a blind date almost 24 years ago. My best friend from high school said she had someone for me to meet and gave me his number. It took me two months to call him. One day I was at home bored and decided to page him, he was out with another friend and said he had been waiting for me to call him. So he took the friend home and called me when he got in. We talked on the phone for two weeks before we met. When we met, it was love at first sight. We have been together since. I had a little girl at the time and he knew if he wanted to talk to me it was a package deal. I had been through hurt in a previous relationship with my daughter's father and was very hesitant about giving my heart to someone again. Jason broke me down and after four months of dating, he asked me to marry him. I said no the first time. He asked again, four months later and I finally said yes. I was looking for consistency, which he was providing, but again I didn't want to be hurt again. He was a very nice guy from the beginning, it was just me being very cautious. We got married two years later and have been together since we first met. I am so thankful I gave love a second try. I love the relationship that with God we have developed. Now it hasn't been without bumps in the road, we had a married lady trying to talk to my husband when he was trying to invite her and her troubled relationship to our marriage fellowship at our previous church. This was the most hurtful time in our relationship. If it wasn't for God and our church that we used to attend, I am not sure we would still be here. We want to share that if your marriage is going to make it past a serious conflict, you must have forgiveness in your heart, commitment, loving communication and redefine your household guidelines relating to your marriage. You must put guidelines in place to affair-proof your marriage. One thing I learned is- hurt people, like to hurt people. With God at the center of our relationship, it caused me to not be selfish and see the root cause of this problem which was my husband thought he was strong enough to stand on his own and he could help save the world. Now when we speak with couples who have challenges we do it as a team through our business we started in 2016 Focused Marriage, Inc. (www.focusedmarriages.com) We love to Coach marriages to Victory, this is our passion and we served our previous church and our current church for over 15 years combined assisting couples. We love to let couples know that marriage can work when you work have guidelines in place. It's work, but fun.
Our Story: Amanda & Quincy
We have gone to great lengths to make an adventure out of our marriage. Amanda and I have had an interesting journey to the altar. We met during my last year in law school. We were friends and dated for 6 months before I asked her to be my girlfriend. Then I graduated from law school and found a great job that paid well. It was the most money that anyone in my family had ever made. I'll be honest; I was feeling myself. But Amanda wasn't feeling it at all; I had gotten to big for my britches. So we decided to end our relationship after a year while both remaining in DC. Although we lived a couple of blocks apart, and rode the same metro lines, we managed to not see each other for an entire year. A lot had changed during that year. Amid the financial credit crises, I had been furloughed from my "high paying" job, and my parents were going through a nasty divorce. That year of furlough was a year of reflection for me. It was an opportunity for me to be introspective about each aspect of my life. So that when Amanda reached out to me after a year of not speaking or seeing each other, I answered the phone with more humility. After that phone call in December, Amanda and I pressed the reset button. We started out as friends and then became more than friends again. A short 4 years later, we married on August 9, 2014. In my vows, I promised to create adventure from boredom and dream up schemes that will either make our lives better or give us a great story to tell. 3 and half years into our marriage, Amanda and I have found great adventure in the many journeys we have taken together. From moving across the country to supporting each other during bar prep to overcoming unemployment and getting cast for commercials on TV (we did that!), we have gone to great lengths to make an adventure out of our marriage. Reflections by @everyone_calls_me_q
Our Story: Faune & Derek
Faune: I said I do because Derek had all of the characteristics I wanted in a life partner and when I prayed for myself I found myself praying for him as well. He was always there for every pivotal transitional moment in my life since I was 16 years old. I felt God's joy when I was around him, I could never stay mad at him. I knew I loved him and he made it clear that he loved me. I wanted children that would have him as their father. I really loved his family and being around them. He wanted to grow as a man and we kept growing together. We got better as individuals together. We shared the same vision for life, passion, goals, interests, and faith in God. Life felt more full when I was with him. Derek: When I imagined my life I couldn't imagine it without her. The key to 'I do' is to have the revelation that it's not just at the altar. 'I do' is a decision everyday of your life. Many believe Love is a feeling. And it is...but that alone won't be the foundation for a successful relationship. Love is a decision. And to decide is to kill off all other options. When you say I do what you're really saying is you trust what God has purposed in your life. Faune always pushed me to be great, she has always been my favorite person to create with, she's the funniest person I know, I love her and her family, she is my rib that protects vital organs, and I knew she would be the best mother to our children. I prayed that God would bring us together and allow me the privilege of being her husband.
Our Story: Crista & Algenon
Marriage is a commitment contract that must continuously be renewed and reaffirmed. You must continue to support the foundation on which you started and build from there. Algenon and I had our first child in 2004 and we got married in 2005, when he was 23 and I was 19. We were naive about everything BUT we made the choice and took a leap of faith. No matter the trials and tribulations we have experienced, there is a force of nature that continues to pull us together and strengthens our unbreakable bond. We grew up together and had to navigate the real world in our most formative years. As hard as it was, there is no one I would rather walk this journey with. We have accepted each other as we have changed along the way and it’s the love and support we have for each other that allows us to continue to grow! Even bad days are better with your friend and lover. I said I do in the beginning because I was a young girl in love! But I continue to make that commitment because what we have built is truly a blessing. My love for my husband is immeasurable and every day I am grateful for our journey together. Reflections by Crista
Our Story: India Marie & B-Love
India and I met at an alter ego party in college in 2010. The kicker is she was a freshman, and I was in my first year of grad school (it's just four years people, lol). Anyway, her alter ego was Big Booty Judy, and she did such a good job making the costume she had me convinced that her butt was real, WRONG, haha! Despite me finding out her butt was fake, we continued to date. I found out not only was she mature and always fashionable, but she was full of ambition and had so much potential to be whatever she decided to be. Even though I knew how special she was (and remains) it took some breakups and forgiveness from India for me to finally get it together and realize that she is my rock, best friend, biggest supporter, and love of my life. She is always in my corner encouraging me, and right by my side in case I need help. We got married in Nov. 2014 and now we are expecting our first child in March 2018. No matter how tough marriage can sometimes prove to be, we know we are in this together and our love is forever. That's why I said, ‘I do.’ Reflections by B-Love
Our Story: Sharelle & Kevin
We really had no idea what to expect when we first got married because everyone’s journey is unique. But, we weren’t expecting God to shake up our lives a few months after “I do.” The news that my husband lost his job was hard. But, a couple months later learning we were pregnant left us torn between excited and scared. Months passed as my belly grew and so did the financial challenges. We watched our financial reserve deplete and eventually run dry. Bills piled up and eviction threats were close to becoming a reality. We never gave up but some days we were so weary and could barely muster the strength to communicate. Other days we lashed out in frustration without considering love and respect.⠀ We were working tirelessly to keep our union from crumbling under the intense pressure. We had no other choice but to lean on God. We prayed together daily, stayed close to our loving community and did our best to move forward. In return, God never failed us. Every month, just enough resources would somehow show up to keep the lights on, food on the table or gas in the car. Then about a month before the baby was due my husband landed a job that was more than we could have expected or asked. ⠀ Looking back, I can now see that God was shaking us up to move us along. The restoration and blessings that have come out of those dark times have intimately bonded us unlike anything we’ve ever experienced in our relationship. God was testing us so that we would be prepared to receive the blessings that were on the other side! Reflections by Sharrelle Guyton
