The Wedding

Stacy & Darryl

23/09/2017

Our Love Story

How we met

We’ve always known each other, having grown up in the Ghanaian community in Rhode Island; but we never really meshed with each other since he has always been older- so he wasn't "my age group" lol. (Side note: when my mother was pregnant with me, they said Darryl used to be so attached to my mom; they called him her little boy friend.) First time I saw him and thought he was FINE (lol,) was at a mutual friend’s birthday party. We said hi to each-other but he called me my older sister’s name as most people do. I corrected him and said (Stacy,) however, he continued to wipe sweat off my forehead and said "gee you’re sweating" (Lmao.) After that party, I tried to look him up on Facebook but of course he did not have social media.

The Cruise...

A few years later we reconnected during the holidays when I had gone out with my God sister- to a concert downtown, where he was also there with his friends. We said hi to each other and after the concert we said bye; but of-course Darryl had to say something smart, stating "are u even old enough to be here " (lol) I said yes and walked away embarrassed. That same weekend I saw him again in church, as I sat behind him while playfully telling him to get up and go put his tithe in the offering bucket. A few days later, he messaged me on instant messenger having inquired about me through my God-sister (Abby) and that’s where it begun. We commenced as friends at first; and he (Darryl) even took me to take my driver’s license test (lol.) We quickly became more than friends; in my head, I always knew and wanted it to go in that direction; but Darryl was just stubborn and scared (lol;) however, here we are today- eight (8) years later.

The YES Moment!

Early January of 2016, Darryl and his family "knocked." So I thought he was going to propose soon after that. He would usually surprise me with gifts and I would be so excited thinking it was the ring and then being let down later-on. I started losing the excitement thinking he was going to take forever again. A week after participating in Miss Africa USA pageant, placing 3rd Runner-up and wining Miss People’s Princess/Choice out of about 25 delegates, we went to our usual church on Sunday- Darryl came a bit more dressed up than he does: saying “he forgot to put the laundry on the night before,” I really didn't think nothing of it because my man always dresses nice (lol.) After church, we planned to go out to eat, with him telling me I should go out on heels, because he didn't want to be the only one looking extra dressy; again, I genuinely didn’t think nothing of it because additionally, we always ask what each-other is wearing so we can match each-others’ fly (lol.) I went home to change and waited for him to pick me up. While I was changing, his parents came to my house, reiteratively, I didn't think nothing of it again- because my parents had just gotten back from vacationing in Ghana; and had to be welcomed or greeted- as it’s done in most African cultures. My mom kept trying to “small talk” me upstairs to keep me from going downstairs- meanwhile I was getting so annoyed with the “small talks.” After some time, I heard Darryl's voice and processed downstairs and saw it wasn’t just his parents but his sister, brother, niece, etc. I greeted everyone in confusion and turned to him asking if we were still going out; he said yes. As we headed to the door, he pulled my hand and said "but before we leave ..." and began with his proposal speech. Instant tears! I was engaged!