Story
Some love stories begin with a swipe, others with a spark — ours began with a dress.
It was 2019, and Kwame was attending a wedding when he noticed a flash of yellow across the room. That flash was Valerie, glowing not just from the bright colors of her dress — but with a presence that made the room pause. Kwame noticed. He definitely noticed.
But timing, as they say, is everything. Kwame was living in Chicago, Valerie in California, and so we did what two adults with undeniable chemistry and busy lives do — we stayed friends. Low-key check-ins, a few laughs… and one very unfortunate missed birthday.
Yes — somewhere in those early years, Kwame failed to wish Valerie “Happy Birthday” on time. (We’re still talking about it.) Let’s just say the friendship hit a temporary turbulence. Valerie believes birthdays are sacred. Kwame… learned that the hard way.
Fast forward to 2022, fate brought us back together at another wedding (we’re starting to think weddings are our lucky charm). This time, something had shifted. We found ourselves talking more, laughing harder, and suddenly “just friends” didn’t quite cover it anymore.
One unforgettable turning point? Valerie’s visit to Chicago — a trip Kwame masterfully orchestrated by insisting that it was “the best city in the world” (he may still say that with a wink). Chicago lived up to the hype, but the connection between us truly stole the show.
Not long after, Kwame traded the Windy City for the Golden State, and in 2024, he asked the most important question of all — and Valerie said yes.
Now, we're inviting you to be part of the next chapter in our story — not written by fate or coincidence, but by love, laughter, one redeemed birthday blunder, and a few really well-timed weddings.