My parents used to tell me, "Never meet strangers on the internet." Who would have known I would have met my husband there over a decade later? The moment I saw Jeff on Hinge, I said to myself, "I want this one." I swiped right and the rest was history--our history.

In 2019, I met Jeffrey in person for the first time at a sushi restaurant. I had the initial impression that he was weird and quiet which oddly attracted me to him. The date went well and we continued casual conversation via text. The most notable thing I realized about his demeanor and temperament was that he was so kind. He was so nice. I would reflect to myself after the date and say, "Wow, he was so pleasant to be around." From there, I invited him to my Thanksgiving dinner with family of friends. I saw him take a shot of whiskey neat without flinching, and I knew that was the moment I fell in love. It was a wrap.

We began to date romantically during a drastic change not only in our relationship but with world events. After only dating for about 3 months, the world learned about COVID-19. We spent most of the 2 years quarantined with each other and enjoying life together making homecooked meals and watching Netflix in bed. During this time, I had gone back to college and flight school, receiving 2 degrees in Communication and graduating Magna Cum Laude, with a GPA of 3.98. He supported me in receiving my degree in African-American studies and my passion for being a social justice warrior. It is so important that we give back to the African-American community, and he helped me make this passion a reality, encouraging me to volunteer at youth centers. Jeff was with me when I was learning about the 4 forces of flight (major components of how an airplane flies) to witnessing me take off and land an aircraft all on my own. As my emotional rock who supports my educational and career goals, I feel like I hit the jackpot.

Jeff and I moved in together into our beautiful home in Seal Beach, CA. Here, Jeff has drastically improved the value of the property by helping renovate and decorate the space beautifully. He mostly does the handyman work due to my height. Our home consists of our infamous white living room, bold colors, and abstract and expressionist art with the musical stylings of Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Sade, and Lana Del Rey. Jeff adopted both of my children, Sushi and Dolce and they love him dearly.

Since then, we have traveled to San Fransisco, Las Vegas, Paris, Athens, Rome, and Bangkok together. He is the best travel partner I could ever ask for.

On days that I don't love myself, I can always wake up to find Jeff making me breakfast, bringing me hot tea or an occasional Starbucks, to some "Just Because" 2 dozen roses on a random Tuesday evening.

Whatever storms come our way, I know Jeff will be there waiting for me with an umbrella, poncho, and rain boots.

My late father always said, "I want you warm, safe, and dry," and that's exactly how Jeff honors my father each day by protecting me in that way.

Thank you for a beautiful life together, Jeffrey. I dream of you in colors that do not exist. I have found my forever. My youth is yours.

Love always,

Carmen

It all began in the middle of November 2019. After exchanging some texts and calls we were both eager to meet, so we picked a spot in between our cities for an evening dinner date. I arrived at the sushi spot early and saved a table for the two of us. After a short time waiting, you entered the restaurant, in a breath-taking floor-length dress and high heels. You wouldn't have looked out of place on any runway in Paris, New York, or Milan. You were just as stunning then, as you are now and I couldn't take my eyes off of you. You always say how I talked too much on our first date, and I always say the same about you (LOL). We talked for hours and hours that night. I remember how we blasted the 90s and early 2000s hits and sang in your convertible as we sped down empty roads in the middle of the night, not knowing where we were going, and not caring either. We drove for so long that night that we had to fill up at a gas station, what a weird, unique, and thrilling time. Finally, the date ended, and we went our separate ways. It wasn't long after that you invited me over for Thanksgiving. I remember you had to go to Paris with your Mom. We got drunk the night before you were supposed to leave, and I helped you pack. I think half of your luggage was pantyhose, but you managed to get everything together just in time to make it to the airport. For whatever reason, you trusted me a lot and let me sleep in that morning you left. You still let me sleep in whenever I want, thanks for that. Not long after these events, the pandemic started heating up. You threw a kick-ass 30th birthday party for me in 29 Palms, and after we returned from our beautiful oasis getaway, the world had drastically changed. The events that unfolded could have torn our relationship apart, but they made it stronger. I took every chance I had to come down and visit. We'd stay up all night watching movies and ordering chicken fries from Uber Eats. A lot of things have changed since we met, you became a student pilot (AND flew solo!), I've been promoted a couple of times, and you let me move in with you. Something that will never change is my everlasting love for you. We have such a beautiful life together (with Sushi and Dolce too), and I want to keep building on that. You are the love of my life, and I can't wait to see what the future holds.

XOXO, JEFF