How We Met
Rod and I met in Joe Louis during our elementary days at John G. Riley (4th grade for me and 5th grade for Rod). We were shy and adventurous and during this time we considered ourselves hide-and-seek buddies during our elementary and middle school days.
We both participated in Godby’s Airforce Jr ROTC drill team and local drill competitions. After graduating from Amos P. Godby High, we both took separate paths. A path that led us to different avenues & different cities (Ft. Walton, Korea, Japan, Montgomery, California, New Jersey, Phoenix, Texas, Alabama & Biloxi). We wandered through this “maze” for 25 long years before we reached what we consider our goal. Let it be known that within those 25 years we kept in touch with each other occasionally when Rod came home on “leave” from his long stint in Korea and Japan.
Before Rod officially retired from the Airforce in November 2009, he made sure his family and friends kept me informed about his retirement. His nephew would say “my uncle Rod said…” our mutual friend Henry followed up a month later letting me know that Rod was going to be in Orlando for the Classic, and my response was “and why are you telling me?” with an attitude because we both were in a relationship with someone. When I joined Facebook in September 2009, I posted a message which indicated my status as “SINGLE”, Rod saw the message and he goes “so you’re single?”, this message really played a part in our “destiny”.
The most memorable moments of our friendship seem to always occur on Wednesdays at Top Flites Karaoke, the 1st time, we talked briefly on the phone before I entered the club and it was briefly because he was in pain from having minor surgery on his mouth. Our 2nd encounter again was on a Wednesday at Top Flites Karaoke the night before Thanksgiving. Rod had made plans to be at Karaoke, however, that was diverted because he was stuck prepping the turkey for his family Thanksgiving gathering. When he finally made it to the club, it was late, and he couldn’t come in because the club was at its capacity. Me wanting to anxiously see him left the excitement inside and joined Rod inside in his blue Honda talking. Before we departed he says to me “I can’t get you out of my head and I ain’t trying to”. Those words really resonated with me.
Like any relationship, there are ups and downs. Rod and I have had our share of taking a break from each other (i.e. breaking up). It is inevitable, “really”. We have grown as human beings, from life circumstances and changes. These things are out of our control, and, as significant as they are, we may pay little attention to the changes as they become an intimate part of our everyday life. We both believe in the quote, “If you love something, let it go. If it comes back, it was meant to be.”
How They Asked
When I arrived home from a long day at work on February 14th, 2022 at 6:30 pm, it was dark in the living room and I remember saying to myself, “it’s Valentine’s Day and he didn’t get me anything”, I said this because I know my Rod!!! He is a man who listens, who pays attention, a man who will read a Birthday card or any special occasion card before purchasing it, and a man that knows how to SURPRISE a person. So, as I walked into the living room, he met me, he took my hand and walked me to the dining table that was set with 2 dinner plates, 2 wine glasses, 2 candles, 2 balloons, a beautiful card, a dozen of red roses and a “Red Heart” container; he opened the heart and there it was a beautiful solitary engagement ring. Words can’t express how I felt at that moment. After our romantic dinner, I shared the excitement with Family and Friends, His statement was “real”, through it all, “He didn’t get me out of his head” and that is why we will be seeing you all on Saturday, March 25th, 2023.
