When I look back at how God brought us together, I marvel at His timing and the way He arranged it all. And then we fell in love...what a mystery indeed!  Out of all the people in the world, you are the one He chose for me. I love His choice; I love you. -Author Unknown-

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face: How We Me
I had been working at the Federal Court Clerk's Office in Greensboro, North Carolina service including receiving applications, resumes, and cover letters for applicants seeking employment with our office. One afternoon, a very polite and shy young man hand-delivered his application for an opening in our systems section. Derrick always fusses about my not remembering his initial visit to our office. The first visit may escape my recollection; however, I do remember when he returned to our office, looking "dashingly-professional" for his interview. At that time, I felt led to lift up a simple prayer that he get the job (GOD willing). When he returned to the office a third time, I knew that my prayer had been answered. Derrick had been chosen for the job. Since he began working for the federal court, Derrick has not only been an asset professionally but also a blessing personally to all that know him.

Can I Take You Out Tonight?: Our 1st Date
Derrick and I tend to agree about most things. We do "beg to differ" about our first date however. We enjoyed a number of outings as friends - grabbing lunch with coworkers/friends (or just the two of us), enjoying a movie with friends, dining at The Olive Garden and experiencing Will Downing in concert (during North Carolina A&T's Homecoming in 2003), and feasting on fondue at The Melting Pot to celebrate my birthday. Although Derrick considers the concert our first date, I feel that we did not start dating until 2004.  In January of '04, we had dinner one night at O'Charley's. Three things make that night unforgettable:

1) He greeted me at my door that night with flowers;
2) His company and conversation (being in his presence is always unforgettable to me; I guess I am kinda' biased :o);
3) O'Charley's yeast rolls.

This was my first trip to O'Charley's, and their yeast rolls won me over. Derrick knew what he was doing; he knows that bread is one of my weaknesses.
Yes, He is exceptionally sweet, yet he can be sneaky as well!!!

You Mean the World to Me: Our Courtship
Our courtship has breathed new life into us and changed us for the better. Like every morsel of a scrumptious, melt-in-your-mouth, dessert, we have savored every moment that we have shared (even those that did not always feel good at the time). As GOD has expanded our territory, we have been stretched beyond our comfort levels on occasions. We are grateful for it all.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights ... James 1:17

The night that Derrick proposed, November 18, 2006, has left me with indelible memories. Even today, I could recount every detail. My loving but sneaky "Sweetie" suggested that we would sit one of my favorite seasonal exhibitions - The Christmas Lights Display at Tanglewood.

With the excitement of a youngster, I eagerly agreed. I was elated when Derrick mentioned that he would try to arrange for us to travel through the display in a horse-drawn carriage. The November temperatures had been pleasantly mild. The carriage would not be available that night however. Knowing his intentions, Derrick's romanticism was not discouraged by the lack of the carriage. He opted to "simply" rent a limousine for the evening :o) I was led to believe that this "somewhat spontaneous" date was to celebrate our nearing the end of our first semesters in law school and grad school.

Mentally, I was drained, half-crazy, and terrified as I approached my first set of law school finals, so I would not dare question the intentions of my baby to wonderfully celebrate our accomplishments. Inside of the long, sleek vehicle, I snapped photographs and sprawled from one end to the other, and caressed the champagne flutes and cozied next to Derrick as we enjoyed the view along Interstate 40. Our driver had been instructed to stop and/or proceed with caution during the light display so that Derrick could propose. When Derrick produced what appeared to be a ring box, guess what? I was still clueless (thinking that maybe they were earrings or a ring, but not the ring). After his eloquent proposal, my Sweetie had to remind me that in my buck-eyed, pulling him up from his knee and diving into his arms where all I could provide were multiple nods of "yes."

Following Tanglewood, our driver transported us to our spot to dine for special occasions, The Melting Pot, where red roses greeted me at a secluded booth. Derrick and I are amazed that we did not get the booth that Derrick requested that night (the booth we enjoyed when we first dined there together) but we happened to sit at the same booth where the restaurant manager had proposed to his wife several years ago.