A Royal Aura
A Special Love
Their Own Path
They say, you’ll meet your soulmate when you least expect it. Darryl and Jermia's story started in Tampa, FL. Who would’ve thought you could find your soulmate on the tinder dating app only to realize you had been in the same place at the same time but never crossed paths. They communicated via tinder for a few days and eventually exchanged numbers.
Darryl scheduled the first date upon returning to Tampa, FL from his frequent visits with his daughter, Tiannah, in New York. Friday March 9, 2019 the Captain Marvel debut was evidently a must see! They met 2 hours before the movie to have time to get acquainted before sitting in a quiet movie theatre. “I need to make sure you can hold a conversation in person,” Jermia expressed. Let Darryl tell it, everything stopped when Jermia walked into the theatre diner. Like a true gentleman, Darryl stood up and greeted with a hug to pull out Jermia’s chair.
They chatted over drinks and on into the movie as Darryl had to explain the entire Marvel World to Jermia. Clearly, it wasn't her idea to see the movie. They were detailed, they were thorough as if they had known each other for years. In fact, they discovered that Darryl would frequent the Metamorphosis Life Revitalizing Center where Jermia worked. They sat in the car and talked late into the night until the parking lot was empty. Jermia’s daughter, Jada, was with family and she needed to get back to her! They didn’t want to leave but they were sure it wouldn’t be the last time in the presence of one another. Date after date the two grew closer and closer. They woke up each day committed to supporting one another. With different life events and difficult times there was no doubt that their support was true. Meeting each other changed their lives forever. And as they say, the rest is history.
In the midst of a pandemic and the world completely shut down, Darryl worked diligently to find the perfect diamond for his soon to be fiancé. It was the evening of May 22, 2020, Darryl planned a typical Friday date night dinner on the beach to watch the sunset given the CDC’s social distancing regulations. Amidst the pandemic, his plan was to order takeout from a restaurant neither of them had been to, Circles Waterfront Restaurant. God and Mother Nature had other plans to interfere with what Darryl believed would be a smooth proposal.
If you know anything about Florida, it’s known for random storms and hurricane-like winds. Upon picking up dinner, Darryl faced a decision of a lifetime as the rain started to pour and the plans of dinner on the beach didn’t seem to be appealing. “Yo are you sure?…Yes! Yes! I’m sure. Rescheduling is not an option. It’s go time!,” he stated.
Darryl has the food, the umbrella, the roses, and the ring! Upon arriving at Jermia’s house, he froze and said a prayer. “Lord I love this woman. If this is the next chapter for me…I’m ready,” Darryl proclaimed. At that moment, the rain softened and Darryl darted to the door. At the time, social distancing county regulations were in effect and crowds larger than 5 or more were not advised. If you know anything about Jermia’s family, it’s never less than thirty people at a gathering. Oddly enough, Darryl found it intimate that he’d share this moment with Jermia’s daughter and her mother.
The doorbell rings and Jermia answers the door. Darryl hands her three dozen red roses which wasn’t un-ordinary given he would deliver fresh flowers to her weekly. She retreated to the kitchen in excitement to prepare a vase for the bouquets only to hear Darryl’s muffled voice, “Queen, look at me.” Darryl kneels on one knee and in pure pandemic fashion he wore a mask stating, “Will you marry me?” She froze! After several deep breaths, Jermia screams…”Yes!” Her mother and daughter rushed over in excitement! What didn’t seem so promising at the beginning of Darryl’s night turned out to be a promise of a lifetime. Here’s to Keeping up with the Kings!