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Andre’ and Kadija met in July of 2010 at their friends’ wedding.  Andre’ was a groomsman and Kadija was a bridesmaid.  The host hotel was the Georgia Tech Hotel, and after the rehearsal dinner, the bridal party hung out there.  Kadija was alone waiting for the other ladies in the bridal party, when Andre’ accosted... I mean smoothly approached her.  They sat at the bar and talked for a while, and then, he asked if they could exchange numbers.  The "reason" they needed to exchange numbers was so Andre’ could make sure Kadija made it home safely... such a gentleman.  

     They didn't talk to each other very much the day of the wedding.  He kept looking her way, but never had the nerve to come over to have a conversation. Yet, he managed to ask her mom for a dance at the reception.  After the wedding, the following day, Andre' was driving back to Charleston, SC (where he lived at the time), and they talked the entire drive back, which is about 4 hours.   They had so much to talk about and it didn't seem like they were on the phone for hours. It was very easy to converse with one another.  

     They spoke over the phone from July to October.   Then, in October 2010, Andre’ came back to Atlanta for SpelHouse (Spelman College and Morehouse College) Homecoming, which gave them an opportunity to see if the chemistry they felt over the phone would translate in person.  It did! They really liked each other!  

     They spent that New Years Eve together.  During that visit, Andre’ asked Kadija to be his girlfriend by writing a letter with the "check one" yes box, no box, and maybe box.  He told her it was no pressure and to take her time answering. So she did.  They continued to speak on the phone.  However, a few months passed before she answered his question.  Then finally, she checked YES.  They were in a long distance relationship for about 2 years while Andre' was finishing his Fellowship in Charleston, before moving to Atlanta, Georgia.

     Andre’ and Kadija dated and dated and dated... for years and years and years... and about 6 years after the time they met in 2010, he finally proposed! They were in Miami, FL on vacation and had been having a great time. The morning of their last full day, Andre' woke Kadija up to "breakfast in bed".  The featured item on the menu... an engagement ring!  Kadija took the top off of the platter, and there it was. The box that held the ring, that from now until forever will be on her hand.  Now their journey continues and Kadija and Andre’ are looking forward to May 6, 2017!

 

The End