Drew and I met in 2016 while working summer jobs at Teach For America's Philadelphia Institute. We were both hired to coach the incoming teachers placed at "Thomfest".
Despite the fast-paced and intense institute environment, Drew and I somehow managed to maximize our time together throughout the summer which culminated with a bike ride around the city.
I am not sure that he or I would say that we believe in love at first bike ride, but we both knew that there was something special.
Throughout the Fall, Drew and I kept in touch infrequently, but in December of 2016, I received an unexpected phone call. Drew told me that he was in NYC with his mom and wanted to know if I would be free later that evening. Of course I said "sure, i'm free", but really, when I answered, I was on my way to the dentist for a root canal.
Later that evening, Drew and I met-up in midtown at the Rockefellar Center. In a previous conversation, I had mentioned to Drew that it was a dream of mine to go iceskating there before I moved back to Alabama; he remembered.
Even though it had been a few months since the last time we had seen each other, I was in awe with how familiar it all still seemed.
I suppose I should begin this story with, no, we did not run the Chicago marathon, but our friendship mimicked one: paced, resilient, yet thrilling.
By April of 2017, nine months had passed since our first bike ride and four since iceskating. During that time, Drew I experienced significant life changes and turned much of our attention to our families.
While so much was changing, one thing that did not, was our decision to return for another summer institute in Philadelphia. During one of our conference trainings in Chicago, Drew asked me to go on a 4 mile morning run with him to which I agreed (with much excitement and anticipation). This marked the beginning of our next (rekindling) chapter filled with lots of phone calls, Facetime, and the infamous Florida road trip.
Key Lime pie has become our signature dish. New neighbors? Key Lime pie. Potluck at work? Key Lime pie. Christmas? Key Lime pie. So, hopefully you get the point. If you invite us somewhere and request a dish; you’re getting a Key Lime pie, but our first KLP together is still my favorite.
Every year for Memorial weekend, a group of my sorority sisters and I take a trip somewhere. It just so happened that in 2017, we decided on Disney. Given that a short 75 minutes separates Orlando from Tampa, Drew took this as a gift from the Lord, and invited me to visit his home in sunny Tampa. From there, we rode city bikes, attended the high school graduation where he was teaching, attempted to cook our first meal together (tasted a bit like a Lean Cuisine), and decided to take an impromptu trip to South Florida, not quite realizing just how long a road trip to Key West would take. Even so, we were thankful for the time together to have some "courageous conversations" about our relationship and future together.
Just like the pie, our time together was crisp, refreshing, and life-changing.
After just a few short months of dating, and over a year of SEC banter, it was clear that Brandi wanted to capitalize on showcasing the winning streak that Alabama football was experiencing at that time. I wanted to capitalize on an opportunity to see Brandi in a new and exciting city. It was a perfect setup, and we booked tickets to make our way to booming College Station, Texas.
A clear theme of this trip was dedication, as it helped to cement our passion for booking airfare creatively, using multiple airports and airlines. At the game, we were both impressed by the eerie dedication of Texas A&M fans, even when times were tough. We had an immediate opportunity to practice our dedication to each other when we both got a little turned around after the game and spent what felt like hours looking for our car.
When it was all said and done, I didn’t end up any closer to being an Alabama fan, but I was excited to embark on many more opportunities to express my dedication to Brandi in the games and trips to come.
Un viaje de amor!
The opportunidad to visit Cuba was muy importante as we both grew together. Aquí, we got to experience just how much we trusted one another, and put our sense of adventure to the test. En Cuba, we studied espanol at a language school (can't you tell?), visited the capitolio, and used our newfound language abilities to communicate and get around town.
This trip showed us that we can go anywhere with God's grace and fostered a heart and love for people outside of our communities.
One day while on the Tampa Riverwalk Drew saw a sign on the Tampa Museum of Art that Robert Indiana's, the creator of the "LOVE Scuplture", exhibition would be on display. Because of our Philadelphia beginnings, Drew knew that it would be the perfect place to propose.
Just one week prior was Valentine's Day and we were unable to be together, so knowing that I was saddened that we did not spend it together, Drew suggested that we have a make-up Valentine's Day. In fact, somehow, Drew incepted me to suggest to him that he should take the lead on planning.
So on February 21, 2019, when Drew and I headed to the riverwalk, I was clueless as to what was about to happen. When Drew lead me to the museum, I was excited as museums are one of our favorite places to visit. We checked in and headed upstairs to the exhibition. It was awesome, it had various LOVE Sculptures in different languages and styles which both honored our relationship roots as well as our cultural differences. I thought how sweet is this. Then it started...
Drew turned and faced me and begin to share about our times together and the future he saw for us and said "I love you" for the first time. He was so nervous. It was beautiful and sweet.
See Drew told me early on that he did not use the "l word" because he thought that he shouldn't say it to me without being able to make a commitment, so when he said "I love you" I realized that he was proposing.
I was ecstatic and shocked but obviously I said "Yes". Drew got off his knee and hugged me but forgot a major part. The ring. In his excitement he just hopped up to embrace me, so I very vididly remember saying "Do I get the ring too?" So Drew got back down and proposed again, this time, I got the ring.