It all started with a chance encounter that felt like fate. Our first encounter was through a phone call regarding real estate. Neither of us expected to find anything more than a business conversation that day, but there was an undeniable spark. We talked for hours, discovering shared passions for God, family, business, and music, and a surprising number of quirky similarities that made us both smile.
From that day forward, our connection deepened with every shared laugh, every late-night conversation, and every new adventure. There wasn’t one single moment when we “knew,” but rather a collection of small, beautiful instances – like the way Ernest would play specific music by some of his favorite artists and sing it to me while driving; he always knew how to make me laugh after a tough day. Or how Nania would send sweet, short text messages to me on a stressful day at work, or how we effortlessly sang along to some old-school music. We built a foundation of unwavering support, understanding, and a love that felt both comfortable and exhilarating. We realized we weren’t just falling in love; we were building our forever.
This connection led us to spend more quality time together at some of our favorite quiet spots, such as dinner dates at Ray’s on the River, a drive to Chateau Elan Winery for wine tastings and touring, or many quiet evenings sipping warm tea in our backyard. During these times, we’d reflect on the many obstacles life had thrown our way and how we’d overcome them all through our faith and trust in God. We’re excited to continue our story, cherishing our shared past, including growing up in Africa and both losing a parent at age ten, which has deepened our appreciation for life’s blessings and our desire to impact underprivileged children.