We were friends first, which gave us a great foundation.
Our love story contains a meet cute involving mutual friends and a 3 year long distance relationship.
My husband Emanuel and I were married on July 23, 2016! We dated for 8 years prior to marriage. Yep, 8 years! We were engaged for 1 year prior to marriage.
Here is our journey to happily ever after, in our own words.
How We Met
Emanuel: It all began with a small music network of friends and worshipers rehearsing for a concert. It was something about those corporate worship moments when Reggie (the facilitator) would call upon Erica to lead out.
The gift and anointing upon her life was evident, she was like the quiet storm. The sincerity and humility that she exuded was attractive and intriguing to me along with her obvious outer beauty and amazing voice.
We hadn’t really had much interaction outside of general greeting. But on this one particular rehearsal night, there was a moment of intermission where I was on the organ and she was sitting in the choir stand.
I wanted to make it known that I was “noticing” her, so I called out her name and said hello.
Erica: I used to work at Compuware, Downtown, Detroit, and my co-worker (I call him brother now) Gerard used to tell me about this guy who played the organ at his church.
He had a singing group that he would sing with. I remember thinking, “why is he telling me about him? I don’t know. Oh well!” Haha!
I was officially introduced to Emanuel at a rehearsal he was playing keys for, I was singing background vocals for our friend Reggie’s concert. I gave him my business card.
After that, during rehearsal one day I heard someone whisper my name trying to get my attention, I remember thinking, “who IS that??” I look to my right and it’s him, I wasn’t paying him any mind at the time though. 🤷🏾♀️
Seriously though I remember feeling a connection with him, but I decided I wasn’t gonna make a move at all. He never did anything or hinted that he was into me, I think I could just feel it. But I never made it easy on him, I just stayed prayerful.
I didn’t flirt, go out of my way to speak, nothing. In fact, I remember walking right past him and not speaking on purpose and we were the only two people in the hallway!
Getting to Know Each Other
Emanuel: Eventually, we connected on the hottest social media network at that time, “MySpace” and we begin to write each other to get acquainted.
At the time, I was kinda ending and healing from a very, very long relationship that had abruptly ended. So I was careful in approaching this new found interest.
But we connected right away, had lots in common and after about a month of writing back and forth just getting familiar, I suggested that we hang out.
Because of where I was emotionally, I’d kept things pretty neutral. So neutral to the point that she asked “is this a date” or just “a hang?” I assured her that it was indeed a date!
Shortly thereafter we had our first date, which was very unique for a few reasons. Let’s just say she had to drive, smh. This was definitely an early sign that our relationship would be far from conventional.
But what I remember the most is meeting the entire family, it seemed, plus some friends. Like their house was the hangout.
Everybody was mad cool though and made me feel very welcomed from day one. That definitely set the tone though and I knew that if I was gonna be around her, I was gonna have to be around her family!
As months pursued, we spent lot’s of time together, mostly at her house! But over the course of that four month period we fell deeply in love.
We hadn’t officially put a title on it yet but we were IN! I remember we would just gaze at one another for minutes at a time in romantic bliss. It was pretty intense.
Unfortunately, at the height of our romantic interests the relationship was abruptly ended. Needless to say we were devastated! But a year or so later, destiny would have us to reunite.
Erica: Emanuel messaged me on Myspace (Lord, we’re telling our age!!!), and we emailed there. Then we eventually exchanged numbers.
I still remember the day he called me like it was yesterday, I was on my way home from work, and I was walking through the front door at home.
As soon as I heard his voice it felt like I’d known him all my life.
Yes, I did in fact drive on our first date, but I knew he was honest and sincere with the situation. We laugh about it now!
Things soon came to a standstill during a time in my life where I dealt with some confusion about whether he and I should move forward with our relationship. That’s a long story for another time. But thankfully, Emanuel does not give up easily.
One of the things I love about him is his persistence and stability because I’m so emotional and all over the place! He wouldn’t stop calling me so I finally called him back! I let him do the chasing, for sure.
3 Year Long Distance Relationship
Emanuel: After officially dating for over a year, naturally the “future” discussions began to surface.
Obviously, we weren’t on the same page just yet and shortly after Erica decided to move to Los Angeles, California. It was bittersweet but I supported her wholeheartedly in furthering her music career and would always encourage her to pursue and “reach for her dreams.”
Again, we were at a crossroads regarding our future. But we decided that we would be committed to making it work.
Not to mention how exciting it was to vacation in LA once or twice a year. Little did we know the growth and maturity that would take place for our lives (spiritually and naturally) during this three year period.
Who knew that being apart would bring us closer and would strengthen our bond!? It wasn’t easy at all but it was a necessary season and “journey” to get us here.
Although there was a lot of growth during this time, three years and three thousand miles distance eventually takes a toll on a relationship.
Erica: Our long distance relationship was very controversial, and most people didn’t understand what we were doing and why.
I got tons of questions, and often was made to feel like the bad guy who left. But I felt like he wasn’t sure when he was ready to move forward with our relationship, so I didn’t feel the need to wait around.
Even though we were very much in love, I’d always wanted to move to LA for music. And with no ring or commitment from him, I had to decide what I was going to do. Take the chance, or stay here and regret never trying.
He was very understanding, supportive, and strong despite dealing with many expressed opinions about our relationship.
Cali was a lot of things. It was fun, hard, lonely, exciting, healing and restoring. I got to know God better, me better, and it forced Emanuel and I to talk and communicate more than ever before.
Finally Engagement!
Emanuel: Finally, she came home! We were back together after a long three year long distance relationship.
One would think that’s it, BAM! Get engaged, get married!
Nope.
Unfortunately, it was kind of like starting over for a third time. And we were yet at another crossroad. It took months for us to readjust and get back accustomed to the norm.
But we worked at it, we prayed, we sought counsel. We were committed to being happy and making each other happy. Thank God for the musical bond and true friendship that helped sustain us through the rough transitions.
Having experienced and overcome so many obstacles over this eight year period, and two cross country road trips to and from Los Angeles, it was no longer a question of if we were getting married, but when.
Erica is truly everything that I wanted in a wife. Beauty, brains, resourceful, modesty and a spiritual praying woman.
The musical genius that is Erica is just an added bonus because the Lord is just kind. And although our time lines of getting engaged didn’t quite add up, (long story, NOT touching that one!) at the end destiny wouldn’t allow this union to be denied.
So on a beautiful sunny summer day of August 14, 2015 in the middle of a rose garden on the shore of Lake St. Clair, I proposed.
And about 30 minutes later (no, really, 30 minutes!!!),she said yes!
Hey, it wasn’t pretty, but it’s our truth.
Erica: I said yes!!!
It was a beautiful proposal that I will always remember! I have recently looked at old journal entries, and prayer confessions, and he is indeed everything I asked God for.
Yes he’s good looking (he’s taken ladies, haha!), we love being together, he’s my best friend and He’s a man after God’s own heart. I’m so thankful for him!
Still Waiting on “The One”?
If you’re still waiting on “the one,” or waiting on a the man in your life to pop the question, know that it’s just a season. (Also check out this post I wrote, just for you here!)
Keep being faithful to God, trusting that He’s in control. Even in the middle of this pandemic, he’s preparing someone special for you. He hears the desires of your heart!
Our Love Song
Here’s the song we wrote for our wedding, and we used it for our first dance at our wedding reception! Please take a listen, download and share!
