Hello?! Is anyone there?…

Wow, it has been a very long time since I have been up here. 3 years to be exact but it definitely does not feel like it. I have struggled with the desire to blog again, with tons of different content ideas flowing, but I would constantly get in my own way. I would say “Oh, I don’t have time to do that” or “I need to use my time to do x, y, and z instead”. My close family and friends would occasionally ask, “What’s going on with the blog, Dee?” and I would give some lame excuse. So today I told my husband, “I want to write a blog post, babes” and he pushed me to do it. Oh yea, I said “husband” didn’t I? Clearly, I have tons to catch you up on.

A lot of major milestones have happened in the past three years since we last spoke…

• I transitioned back to a vegetarian lifestyle and now currently a pescatarian diet
• Travelled to the Bahamas, Cuba, St. Louis, New Orleans, Washington, DC and Jamaica
• Went back to school and received my Real Estate license
• Laid my sweet fur baby Bentley to rest and became a mom to my husband’s pup, King
• Received a major promotion at work
• Witnessed my little brother graduate high school and moved him into his college freshman dorm
• Reconnected, got engaged and married my high school sweetheart in Montego Bay, Jamaica!

Now that we are somewhat caught up, let’s discuss the most recent and exciting moment of my life, marrying my best friend! Here’s a little backstory if you’re up for it…

Leland (Le) and I met back in 2001 while in our seventh-grade science class. He would ask me for a pencil every day in class. I was always annoyed like “Why didn’t this kid’s mom buy him any pencils for school?! And what did he do with the pencil I gave him yesterday?” He later told me that was the only thing he could think to ask in order to speak to me. How sweet right?! We dated a few years later during our sophomore year of high school. While in high school, Le was a star varsity basketball player and I was a varsity cheerleader and we shared so many fun memories together. After graduation we went our separate ways, him to Methodist University and I to East Carolina University, but we remained distant friends.

In 2016, my best friend Kezia found an old love note Le wrote in my high school senior yearbook. Kezia reached out to Le (against my wishes) and suggested that he contact me. He later texted me and we eventually agreed to go out to dinner and catch up. After that dinner, we were inseparable. It felt like no time had passed between us.

Le decided to propose in September of 2018. He planned a surprise proposal dinner and arranged for our closest friends to come into town from various cities and states. Unfortunately, Hurricane Florence seemed to have other plans. She was scheduled to hit North Carolina on the exact date of the dinner, but Le wasn’t going to let the hurricane ruin his proposal. He surprised me by asking me to marry him that Sunday afternoon and I undoubtedly said, “yes!” We decided to have a destination wedding and immediately began planning.

We were married on September 18, 2019 on a beautiful beach of the Secrets Wild Orchid Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica! We were showered in love by some of our closest friends and family. My best friend officiated the ceremony and that made the day even more special. My mother walked me down the aisle. It rained, but the sunshower decided to wait until after we said, “I do”. We danced, ate, drank, danced some more, and finished the night off by going on a group excursion to swim in a luminous lagoon! Our wedding day was perfect, and I married the man of my dreams! I am excited to share with you some pictures from our special day.

My handsome husband, Le.

My wonderful Mother-in-law + Brother-in-law // Our wedding party danced down the aisle to one of our favorite songs. After a few nights of rehearsals they had the choreography down (for the most part lol). This set the tone for our ceremony and showcased our personal style because Le and I love to dance!

My favorite walk to date with my favorite girl, my mom.

We felt all the emotions as we recited our own vows to each other.

My bestfriend, Kezia, was our Officiant as well as a Maid of Honor.

Jeremy & Chris- Best men + Marquita- Maid of Honor // Kelsey- Bridesmaid + Paul- Groomsman

Tiffany- Bridesmaid + Marc- Groomsman // Chelsea- Bridesmaid + Claude- Groomsman

Groom + Groomsmen suits: The Groomsman Suit // I was so happy with the way their suits came out! We wanted a relaxed feel for the groomsmen, especially since we were out under the hot Jamaican sun. I loved Le in his blue suit!

Our amazing friends + family // It was at this moment that the sunshower could not hold back any longer. It began to rain gently and then it began to downpour. With no end in sight, we decided to move our reception inside.

Bridesmaid dresses: Lulu’s // Their dresses were perfect for our beach wedding in Jamaica. They were light, airy and under $90!

Wedding gown: Wtoo // I absolutely loved my dress! I never had the “crying for joy because I found the perfect dress” moment but when I tried this dress on I knew it was for me. It just felt right + it felt like… me. It was exactly what I envisioned for myself.

These pictures were taken right after we ran inside from the downpour of rain. Everyone was soaked but a little rain couldn’t stop the party!

So many years of friendship in this one picture. From middle school, high school and college. This is FAMILY!

We danced + drank all night long! The DJ had us feeling like we were back in our college days.

Thank you for all of your love + support! Here’s to forever <3