How We
Met
Our first encounter.
Mark and I first met during the RCCG Youth Group’s Spring Break trip to Camp Cho-Yeh in 2010.
I had heard of him through a former mutual friend, but it wasn’t until one of our free sessions that I noticed him – a small, quiet, dark-skinned boy playing the piano. Coincidentally, my parents had enrolled my siblings and me in piano lessons, and we even had an at-home instructor. Though I was at a beginner-intermediate level, my love for the instrument drew me toward him.
As I approached, he stopped playing, and we introduced ourselves. Our conversation naturally flowed into our shared love for music, the piano, our favorite composers and artists, and the genres we enjoyed. Before long, we decided to play together – he took the lower octave keys while I played the upper octaves. Though I can’t recall the exact song we played, I remember how effortlessly we got lost in the moment, playing one piece after another. Throughout the rest of camp, we sought every opportunity to continue our impromptu duets.
At the end of camp, we exchanged numbers and headed back to Houston on separate buses. During the ride home, I received a text from him that simply read, “I like you.” Mark has always been straightforward, knowing exactly what he wants.
I smiled and replied, “I think I like you too.”
Life Lesson No. 1: God will use anything and anyone to fulfill His plans.
A Rule, A Runaway, A Revelation
At the time, I had a personal rule in high school: any guy I met, even platonically, had to meet my dad.
But dating Mark wasn’t on my radar for two reasons: 1) I came from an African household, 2) I was laser-focused on getting into and completing chemical engineering school. Still, I thought it wise for Mark to meet my dad. Mark’s response? He ran away – he refused to meet my dad. To this day, we still laugh about it. We still kept in touch, and ironically, I told my close friends I would never date him for various undisclosed reasons. However, deep down, I had this strange feeling that he was my husband. I brushed it off because I didn’t believe it and also wanted to focus on my education and building a career.
What drew me to Mark as a friend wasn’t just his musical talent but his unique blend of playfulness, bluntness, responsibility, and level-headedness – qualities rare for boys his age. He also had a seriousness about his future that I admired. As we went off to different universities – me at Texas Tech and him at UT Dallas. We kept in touch sporadically, reaching out when we needed academic help or life advice.
Life Lesson No. 2: Never say never, because God has a sense of humor.
The Reconnection
In the summer of 2015, my Uncle Jide helped me land an internship that required travel to various cities, including Dallas, where Mark was in school studying neuroscience.
When I was in town, we’d grab lunch or he’d invite me to a church camp. At the time, our interactions remained strictly platonic, since we were both navigating our own relationships.
Several months later, I began an 8-month internship in Paris, Texas – about 2.5 hours from Dallas. I would drive down almost every weekend to spend time with my best friend, Naomi, who was also in Dallas. That part is still debatable as it is believed I went to Dallas only for Mark (wholly untrue). While Mark and I were both single by then, our friendship remained unchanged – until one blue-skied, clear-cloud, sunny Saturday in May.
Mark was watching his team’s soccer game while I sat on my phone in his living room, waiting for Naomi to finish work. Out of nowhere, in true Mark fashion, he bluntly said:
“Hey Laura, I have a question.”
I froze. In that moment, I felt the Holy Spirit tell me exactly what he was about to ask.
“Wait, give me a minute,” I replied, scrambling to prepare an answer – but I had nothing.
Finally, I told him to go ahead.
“Do you like me?” he asked.
I stared at my phone, shuffled uncomfortably, and hesitated before muttering, “Maybe?”
A long silence followed. When he finally spoke again, we talked it through and decided I would take some time to think about whether I wanted to date him. He was patient with me and still is - another admirable trait.
I consulted my dad, who – without needing any details – simply said, “Give it a try.” I also confided in Naomi who also encouraged me to give it a try, while unbeknownst to me, Mark sought advice from his roommate, Clyde, who encouraged him to do the same. To this day, I believe our relationship was meant to be for a few reasons: 1) my father’s approval was rare, 2) God really did tell me to spin the block, 3) there was a feeling I had with Mark from the day I met him. To this day, I cannot describe it in words; it’s not your typical feeling of peace but something deeper. I just knew he was my husband.
Nearly a month later, on a blue-skied, clear cloud, sunny Sunday in mid-June, I met with Mark to give him my answer to his question. Before I could speak, he said,
“Whatever your response is, I want you to be sure. I don’t want it to be influenced by anyone. I want you to be my girlfriend, but I want you to make that decision for yourself.”
He knew me too well.
I smiled and told him my decision was mine alone – I would love to be his girlfriend. He pulled me into a tight hug, kissed me, and simply said, “Thank you.”
Life Lesson No. 3: If it’s meant to be, it will be. Sometimes, you will spin the block and things will be better when you do.
Long Distance Relationship Begins
We both had big aspirations as college students. Back then, those aspirations took us across the country and back, and our relationship became long-distance.
We found ways to make it work – late into the night phone calls, trips, and holiday visits in Houston.
Through every high and low, we’ve built our relationship on our shared experiences, lessons from family and friends, and the trials we’ve faced together. From Lubbock and Dallas to Atlanta, Brownwood, and El Paso, our journey led us through countless cities. And finally, we landed in Austin, Texas, still united by the special grace of God. Our long-distance chapter had come to an end, but our adventure in life was just beginning.
