Kerry-Ann & Omar
July 3, 2021
I met Omar in 2018 while at a community service event organized by a mutual friend (David - you will meet him later). I was the driver in my caravan, and he was in the passenger's seat navigating in between homeless encampments. The community service event was a success, and we parted ways. I may have seen Omar and his twin brother out in Berkeley once after that time, but we never spoke again.
In May 2020, I came home from work to find a mouse in my apartment. Of course, I called the only male friend I had - David. David was happy to catch my mouse, but told me he could send his friend over instead. He said "by the way my friend has been asking about you." I had ABSOLUTELY no interest in meeting or making new friends, but desperately needed the mouse gone. Omar and I connected through David, and he instructed me on what items to get to help him trap the mouse. One of the items included peanut butter, and decided then I just knew this whole situation would be foolish!
Omar arrived around 6:30pm and started laying traps. After laying traps, we waited... and waited... and waited for over two and half hours making conversation. The mouse however, was still in hiding. It was getting late, and Omar decided to head home - it was close to 9pm. Before he left he decided to mute the television, and voila the mouse was caught. He disposed of the mouse, and asked to see me again over the weekend. I felt indebted to him so I made arrangements to hang out. I was grateful the mouse was gone.
Mind you, all of this happened May 2020 in the middle of Covid pandemic.
We started hanging out and watching movies at home because we were on stay at home restrictions. It was clear to me that Omar planned on hanging around and was serious about what he wanted. He was down-to-earth, kind, humble, and loved his family. In my mind I thought he would lose interest after weeks of me giving him the "cold shoulder."
I wasn't sure of Omar's intentions so I consulted our mutual friend, David. David spoke highly of Omar. He spoke about their friendship, his willingness and his commitment to finding love. He said Omar was MARRIAGE MATERIAL.
After a few more inquiries to David, I decided to give Omar a chance. It is THE BEST decision I ever made. We are a great match for each other, and we have found true partnership in one another.
My mother means everything to me. So of course, I told her I was dating someone which was a huge step (not many have made the cut). I think all she wanted to hear was "grandchildren" when I talked about Omar.
I took Omar to Atlanta to meet my mother for Thanksgiving 2020. My mother put Omar right to work changing smoke detectors, and lights for the kitchen. At some point Omar tried to talk to my mom about us getting married, but he became tongue-tied. He eventually got through the conversation with a little assistance from me. Lol.
Needless to say she gave her blessing, and is waiting for grandchildren. :-)
Omar and I decided that we were committed to each other. Early on we agreed we both wanted partnership and a family. It was no surprise to me that Omar would propose at some point; however the timing was a surprise.
For Christmas, his mother invited us to brunch. We decided to meet at his place an hour before going to his mothers. Omar however kept asking me to come over even earlier. I complained and whined and said there was no need for me to come over early to open "special gifts."
Later that evening, it dawned upon me that the special gift could be a proposal. So on Christmas morning, I awakened early, and put on make-up and fixed my hair. I avoided make-up for Covid entirely.
I went to Omar's place on Christmas morning. There he proposed! I didn't say yes immediately, but I stared at him and smiled. Eventually, I said yes and he placed a beautiful ring on my finger!
I stare at it every day.
This is Monica Berletti! She is the silver lining to my cross-country transition to California. When I arrived in California, Monica met me with open arms. She was in my residency class, and had so much confidence in me even when I didn't have any in myself. You see, my intern year in New York was so virulent, toxic, and traumatic that I had considered leaving residency. I am glad I decided to make the move instead of leaving the career I had dreamed of since 12 years old.
My move to California made me realize how important support and environment is in residency. Monica and I instantly became close friends, and moved in together. For three years we suffered together, and argued sometimes, but I knew she understood and supported me.
I never felt alone with Monica on my side. She took me in for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and even made me check her cervix before she went into the hospital to deliver her first born (she owes me BIG time for that one!)
For the past 9 years she has seen me at my worst and at my best. When we parted ways during residency, and started at different jobs, she found out I wasn't happy, and asked me to come to her job. Eventually I listened, and here we are working together again at a safety-net hospital in Oakland, California.
I really can't think of anyone else who would be more fitting as a Matron of Honor!
Jamar is my "womb mate." We are fraternal and NOT identical twins, but no one believes us. He has been my brother, confidant and best friend for 38 years. We have been through it all - thick and thin.
Through my life, I have spend perhaps one year apart from him. I rely on him for everything. Needless to say, finding a life partner has changed this dynamic somewhat, but I know he has gained a sister and can't wait for Kerry-Ann to be a part of the family.
They even bicker like siblings already. lol
Meet Baraka Floyd! We graduated together from Morehouse School of Medicine in 2011. I graduated with a medical degree, and she with a medical degree and a master in clinical research (what a smarty pants!). We were both in California completing residency when she reached out for us to get together. Although it took me some time to take her up on her offer, when we did reconnect we became each others support system.
Baraka finished Pediatrics residency a year before I completed my residency. We have celebrated birthdays, New Years, and spa days. She has been a shoulder to cry and vent on when relationships went south, and she kept me accountable when she knew I deserved better.
We get each other, and usually talk about the horrors of medicine, and lament on if we would do it again - we would! She has become a very close friend over these past 9 years in California.
I am honored for her to be my bridesmaid!
This is David. I met him at Heart and Soul Center of Light in 2017. He quickly became one of my closest friends and "brother." He is second in this regard to my brother, Jamar. David is a super friendly, outgoing, people-person and the life of the party. He has authentic relationships with his friends and really brags on them!
He would brag about his doctor friend from college. That friend turned out to be Kerry-Ann. When he spoke about her, he would share how amazing she was, and I felt like I knew her.
So when I finally met Kerry-Ann in 2018 at the service event he organized, I could tell that she had the same love and admiration for David. I was extremely impressed that she showed up on a weekend to perform community service even though she had a hectic work schedule. But what do you expect, she is a member of Delta Sigma Theta.
When I met Kerry-Ann, I was in a relationship. Sometime after it ended, I asked David about Kerry-Ann because I remembered how easy she was to talk to, and how down-to-earth she was given her responsibilities and her profession. I asked if she was single and when I found out she was, I asked David to "hook it up!" The next thing I know I was at her place trying to catch a mouse!
Kerry-Ann was skeptical, but David advocated for me when my future wife wasn't sure about my intentions. God sent me another brother who introduced me to my "life partner." I am forever grateful for his friendship and our brotherhood.
This is Rev. Angelo Allen, the officiant and my stepfather. Angelo, also affectionately referred to as Revelo, married my mother in 2019, after meeting her at Heart and Soul Center of Light. (A lot happens at Heart and Soul!)
We became close when I came to California for a job interview. Since relocating here, Angelo has been a major confidante in my life and instrumental in advising me on some of the most important decisions of my life. Revelo leads the video ministry and when I expressed an interest, he enthusiastically welcomed me and taught me how to livestream video. He is one of the most generous people I know and I'm proud and honored that he agreed to officiate our ceremony.
Kerry-Ann and Omar
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