It was August 4, 2009, and Marvin was sitting in the conference room at Zion Baptist Church in Petersburg, Virginia for a Baptist General Convention Regional Meeting. Soon after the meeting started, a young lady entered the room. Little did either of them know, that this was just the beginning of a beautiful surprise. They spoke casually, but that was all...
It was August 22, 2009, and Jennifer was preparing herself to do the closing activity at the BGC Regional Youth Empowerment Breakfast...alone. Marvin was supposed to be there, but he was late. However, he did arrive, and managed to get her telephone number that same day so that their respective youth ministries could collaborate....and so that he could one day work up the nerve to call her...
It was September 12, 2009, and Marvin was leading the young people in a spirited praise and worship experience during the BGC Regional Youth Saturday Night Live program. Jennifer was intrigued by him, his interactions with the young people, and his passion for ministry. She also like that Marvin liked football...she followed the Chicago Bears, the major rivals of Marvin's favorite team the Green Bay Packers. Nevertheless, they both left the church that night with their interest peaking...
It was September 22, 2009, and Jennifer requested Marvin as a friend on Facebook. Marvin didn't recognize the name at first, but the face looked familiar...so he did some research and found out a lot about Jennifer and quickly accepted her request. He sent her a message and shared that he didn't realize that they had so much in common. They both attended Virginia State University. They both were members of the Betterment of Brothers and Sisters. They both had many of the same mutual associations...but they had never met until August. From this point on, they messaged back and forth, trying to work out a time to get together and hang out...
It wasn't until October 2, 2009, when Marvin finally was able to confirm a date with her...via text message. Fortunately, she consented to joining him for a piano concert and dinner on October 10, 2009...
It was October 11, 2009, after a wonderful evening and the possibility of having had their last first date ever, Jennifer prayed to ask God if Marvin was her future... Marvin woke up that Sunday morning and immediately penned these words...
'i saw beauty/in my past/i envision beauty/in my future/
and in this moment/i feel beauty/i see beauty/i need patience/ anxious/heart racing/anticipation/of what i see/
through her windows/hopeful eyes aglow/with desire/
to be a lover/and i feel my heart/wanting to love her/
i am waiting...'
After many dates, much time spent together, getting to know one another and praying together, Jennifer and Marvin were in love.
Marvin soon realized that it was time for a change. He secretly communicated with Jennifer's mother, father, sister and brother to make sure he had their approval to be with Jennifer forever. Some days he was even late for date's with Jennifer and would walk out the room to take phone calls but it was all because he was in planning mode; Jennifer was starting to wonder if he was "up to no good". He wasn't, on March 1, 2010, Marvin surprised Jennifer in front of Zion Baptist Church, where he told Jennifer about everything that had been going on. He then got down on one knee, pulled out a diamond ring and asked for Jennifer's hand in marriage; she said yes in tearful elation. Marvin likes to refer to that moment as "I lied, she cried, and now she's going to be my wife."
Please continue to offer your prayers and support as Jennifer and Marvin are about to embark on an incredible lifetime journey!
