Gabriel and I first met at a Cameroon party in 2016! Our conversation was brief, as he had to get to work. Then about a month and a half later (July 24,2016) we met again at a mutual friend's birthday party. We didn't get to speak much at the birthday party but, I did give him my phone number. The following day we talked and talked. I remember one of the first questions I asked him was "Do you have a good sense of humor?' He responded via text message with a image of large textbook that said How to Understand a Women. I literally laughed out loud. This makes three years since we've been together and I"m honored that he's chosen me to be his wife.
Gabriel has an amazing, loving family that has been extremely welcoming. I'm excited to meet his family in person.
The photo is of Evita (left) and Crystal (right). Evita was the second oldest. She passed away on May 19, 2015. Life has not been the same but, she taught us so much about kindness, loving those that are difficult to love, giving your last, and love Jesus with all of your heart, soul, and mind. We miss you, Evita Nychell Samuels, who would have been 38 on August 3, 2019.
The Samuels Family-
The bride's father is from Sierra Leone, West Africa and her mother is from Morgenfield, Kentucky. I know! How did this union happen?! They met while attending college in Owensboro, Kentucky. Then a few years later they joined the brides aunt and uncle, who were in the military in Alaska. Esther, the bride's mother flew to Alaska while her father, Joshua, packed up their little apartment in Owensboro, Kentucky and drove to Alaska in 4 days! We've been here ever since! We lived in Anchorage and then moved to Nome, Alaska (Google it, yes, we moved there and lived there for over 18 years)!
The photo you see (left to right) is bride's father, Joshua, mother Esther, sister Melissa, sister Adrienne, myself, sister in-law Jaclyn, nephew Joshua III, brother Joshua Jr, Gabriel, nephew Jayden, sister Clarissa, nephew Noah, beother in-law Matthew, and Tank (dog).
We look forward to meeting all of you! God Bless you!!
October 21, 2018-
Matt, my brother-in-law's, birthday is October 22, the plan was to have a birthday party for him. The venue changed a few times but, it was finally settled on 49th State Brewing. About a week before Gabriel said that he'll be inviting his boys to the party, as well, which was strange to me because Matt doesn't know a lot of Gabriel's friends. Of course! I started asking questions; "He's coming?!" "She's coming too?!" "Have they met Matt before?!" To silence me Gabriel said, "my boy just got a job promotion so we want to celebrate him too." Again, more questions; "Does Matt know this?!" Mind you, Matt is so laid back and wouldn't care who came to his birthday party but, for some reason I just had to keep asking questions. I'm going to fast-forward to that day, that morning Gabriel said, "I'm getting my shirts from the cleaners soon." I thought to myself, "he's getting shirts from the cleaners for Matt's birthday and a job promotion, wow he's into this!" The evening comes and everyone, including several of Gabriel's boys, my family and a family friend show up, we eat, order drinks, we sing happy birthday to Matt and then bam! Gabriel stands up again and of course, I'm thinking "what in the world is he doing?!" He starts talking and looks at me and says "I also want to thank this wonderful women, right here, I immediately say "I KNEW SOMETHING WAS UP!" As you can see in this picture he got down on his knee and asked me to marry him! I get cheers thinking back to that night, it was perfect!