Issuu

SEPT 2023 ISSUE#036

TAMARA S. LEIGH, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Celebrating

3yrs

of...

CONTENTS BLAQUE/OUT MAGAZINE IS A MONTHLY DIGITAL PUBLICATION CENTERED FIRMLY IN BLACK & BROWN QUEER QULTURE.

BLAQUE/OUT FEATURES WRITERS, ARTISTS, PHOTOGRAPHERS, CREATIVES AND INFLUENCERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. WE ARE WORDS. WE ARE ART. WE ARE FASHION. WE ARE CULTURE. WE ARE MUSIC. WE ARE PROTEST. WE ARE WHERE BLAQUE QUEER CULTURE LIVES. FIND US ON FACEBOOK, IG, TIKTOK. TO SUBSCRIBE TO BLAQUE MAGAZINE, VISIT: HTTPS://ISSUU.COM/STORE/PUBLISHERS/BLAQUEOUTMAG/ SUBSCRIBE

FOR ADVERTISING, EMAIL ADVERTISING@BLAQUEOUTMAG.COM

FOR SUBMISSIONS, EMAIL TAMARALEIGH@BLAQUEOUTMAG.COM

WWW.ISSUU.COM/BLAQUEOUTMAG WWW.BLAQUEOUT.COM

CELEBRATING 3YRS OF BLAQUEOUT MAGAZINE INTERVIEWS

LIVING IN THE LIGHT

BIONIC MAN

JAVANNAH DAVIS

MEL HOWARD

THIS IS NOT AN ADVERTISEMENT, ITS A PLEA

WANDERLUST

WHOSOEVER MOURNS RONI WINSTON 02

EXCLUSIVE! BLAQUEOUT FEATURE BUSINESSES

COVER DESIGN: TAMARA LEIGH ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER: DOREEN SCANLAN

09. BE YOU DO YOU COACHING 25. SPENZ MEDIA LLC 30. ROCHELLE J. PHOTOGRAPHY

SEPT 2023 | ISSUE# 036

GET MORE OF THE BLAQUE/OUT YOU KNOW & LOVE

@blaqueoutmagtv

WWW.BLAQUEOUT.COM

BlaqueOUT columnists

Benjamin Griffin III; (he/ him/his). Enjoys bringing laughter to those he encounters and a major collector of Diecast School Bus models. In addition, he has a heart for education & children! Lastly, he is 1 half of "A Moment w/ The Griffins"

Javannah J. Davis (she/her) resides in Rochester, NY where she has worked in healthcare for 19 years, is a self-published author, Founder/President of W.A.V.E Women Inc & CEO/Owner of Linjé Enterprises LLC. Javannah is passionate about healing, self-love, self actualization & helping others to live the best of their lives in a healthy way. Lade Breez (He/Her/Them) is an award winning 3x published author, publisher, philanthropist, humanitarian, motivational speaker, life coach, event host, youth tutor, artist developer & spoken word artist. Owner & founder of Express Me Poetry Business Services & Events, & Educated Blessyns LLC, improving this world one stage at a time. ExpressMePoetry.com

E.L. Winston of Fayetteville, NC (He,Him, His) Trans Community Advocate, Co-Founder of Lambda Gamma Omega Nu Fraternity. Just your everyday introspective old man and 1 half of Team Winston

Immani Love, (she/her) A Lesbian Erotic Poet, Author, Ordained Minister, Freelance Writer, Real Estate Agent, and overall witty, seductress with the voice of a Siren. An educated Vixen in sunny St. Pete, Florida.

Roni Winston aka The Mrs. aka Pastor Roni (She/Her/Hers) Fayettevlle, NC. Minister, educator, entrepreneur, couples' coach, writer, mom, and grandma. Half of Team Winston. Mel Howard (he/him) Resides in Newport News, Virginia where he worked in finance industry for over 5years, is a columnists for BlaqueOUT Magazine and Founder/President of THRIVING TRANSMEN OF COLOR. Mel is passionate about community, self acceptance and forgiveness.

Tina Marie Jones (she/her/hers) Founder of Uncover, LLC, mother of 4, activist, motivator, and columnist.

David Maurice Griffin (He, Him, His) Columbia, SC; Providing the gift of massage is what he does, but spreading awareness of HIV/AIDS is who he is…1 half of "A Moment w/ The Griffins"

Courtney L (she/her) designer, developer, business owner, who loves to travel. When she is not doing that she loves to write poetry, a bit of a nerd, spend time with family and friends and help people learn technology. She lives in Los Angeles, with her dog.

IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT IT'S BEEN 3YRS...36 ISSUES, 36 COVERS,

FOR THE SPONSORS AND SUBSCRIBERS AND EACH AND EVERY

COUNTLESS ARTICLES AND 1,095 DAYS SINCE WE STARTED THIS

SINGLE READER- THANK YOU.

THING CALLED BLAQUE/OUT MAGAZINE. REFLECTING ON IT ALL,

BUT ABOVE ALL ELSE I HAVE TO THANK OUR WRITERS. FROM DAY 1,

ALL I CAN THINK ABOUT IS THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE MADE IT THE

PEOPLE TRUSTED ME TO DO THIS THING WITH INTEGRITY. THEY

LIVING, BREATHING, ACTING ART OF CULTURE THAT IT IS TODAY.

TRUSTED ME WHEN THERE WAS NO BUDGET TO PAY THEM. THEY TRUSTED

FOR ALL THE PEOPLE THAT ALLOWED US TO TELL THEIR STORIES. FOR ALL THE LOVED ONES THAT TRUSTED US WITH THE MEMORY OF THEIR FAMILY & FRIENDS. FOR THE ARTISTS THAT TRUSTED US WITH THEIR TALENT.

ME WHEN THEY HAD TO WRITE EXTRA ARTICLES TO FILL THE PAGES AND THEY TRUSTED ME WHEN THEY WERE WRITING AND NO ONE WAS READING. THE TRUSTED ME WITH THEIR WORDS, THEIR TIME AND THEIR SOULS. BECAUSE THEY WOULD BEAR THEIR SOULS EACH AND EVERY MONTH ON THESE PAGES. WE WOULDN'T EXIST WITHOUT OUR WRITERS TODAY AND EVERY WRITER THAT HAS EVER GRACED OUR PAGES, IF IT WAS ONCE

FOR THE CREATIVES, VISIONARIES, ACTIVISTS AND

OR 36 TIMES. THERE AREN'T WORDS BIG ENOUGH TO EXPRESS HOW

CHANGEMAKERS WHO TRUSTED US WITH THEIR VISIONS- THANK

GRATEFUL I AM & COULDN'T BE A BUDGET LARGE ENOUGH TO

YOU.

COMPENSATE FOR IT.

Thank You,

a word. Tamara Sanaa Leigh Editor-In-Chief

Celebrating 3yrs

Florida

Celebrating 3yrs

NewYork

Community activist, Javannah Davis, is a phenomenal woman of color operating in her powers out of Rochester, New York. Javannah has been spreading her magic as a Healthcare professional with over twenty years of hard work and dedication to the cause. Javannah branching her expertise into other arenas that still cater to the community, also created multiple businesses to continue assisting in the survival health of the community and culture of the LGBTQIA community. From starting out as a medical office assistant to recently obtaining her credentials as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) currently preparing to take her boards, Javannah had a lot to share with BlaqueOut Magazine about her experiences and journey. Javannah’s passion for helping others and her “Get it Done” drive has certainly paved ways in assisting in the needs of others professionally and personally. Q: “As far as pronouns go, how do you identify yourself in the LGBTQIA community? A: My pronouns are she/her and I identify as a Black woman of Trans-experience. I won't negate my experience but I’ve been here…” As we shared a great laugh out loud moment, she continued, “I don’t carry the title of “Transwoman” because it’s not my thing, my transition is done, i am who i’ve always been and this is it. I have arrived and am living my best life! My mom loves me so I don't care what you say.” Q: How do you feel about the current standing in the LGBTQIA community as the different laws pass, and we are facing so much adversity within our community, how are you feeling about it in its present state? A: “I feel heavy. It’s heavy because despite what I feel personally about my own journey, I

know everyone’s journey isn’t the same. Being in healthcare for so long and loving the work I do as an advocate and activist, it’s very heavy; For a brief moment as she opened up more about it, she became a little emotional as she continued, “besides the laws and ignorance you see on social media, I had a little bit of a breakdown about it a few weeks ago. It hurts a lot… I'm getting emotional just talking about it… It’s scary, it’s unnecessary, and that’s for every member of the LGBTQIA community that’s going through their own individual journeys. Having to face these deficits within our society that are so oppressive and so restrictive; especially when you’re Black and Brown. Our history shows that Black and Brown have always been the butt of everything; pushed aside and dragged and just adding a little more spice to it being LGBTQIA makes it 10x worse. And I see how it affects people and it's very heavy and the only thing that can change this is our unity and the power of the vote. We have to keep pushing and staying unified; even if you feel like there’s no point; Keep Pushing” Q: If you were to be able to advise a group of younger Trans associates, how would you inspire them to go into the health field and do you think it would be necessary to have people who operate like us, in that field? A: “Absolutely, because healing comes with seeing that diversity and knowing there’s someone there who understands what you’re going through in that moment. So me walking in and seeing me or someone else walking in and seeing themselves, they are more comfortable; you're more at ease, your heartbeat stabilizes, your anxiety kinda calms… So having us in those fields, and i’m so proud I graduated alongside of another Black woman of Trans experience, and we are standing in this change and showing others you can do it too,

you don’t have to be that stereotype, or you don’t have to conform to a way of life that society says that you can only conform to, to make a living or make something out of yourself. There’s more out there than sex work… sex work is work, you do what you need to do to survive, there’s is no judgement here; getcho paper, but at the same time, just know there are other avenues and other opportunities if you open yourself up to someone who could guide you.” Q: What was it that made you get into nursing in the first place; and what is your end goal in that profession? And is that the only space you’re operating in? (As we share a cleansing laugh.) A: Yes, I wear many hats! Outside of healthcare and nursing, I’ve run a 501c3, Wave Women Inc. or W.A.V.E (Women Appropriating Visibility and Empowerment) for 3 years; A four time self published Author of, “The Road Home, Chronicles of Queen Marceline, Our Daily Bread, Love Languages of a Black Woman of Transition and I’m currently working on my personal story; I own Linjé Supreme Cleaning Services, I’m a Columnist for BlaqueOut Magazine, I own a homecare business in support of Black and Brown people, Linjé Enterprises LLC and I’m a Bedroom Kandi Consultant. So I just want to do things that make people’s lives easier. I want to leave this world a little better than I found it. I think that drive comes from the fact that I have been given a lot of privilege in my transition; and when I say privilege, I mean blessings… I've never had to “come out”, I've never had to explain myself to anyone in my circle; even my momma said, “I thought you would have done that in middle school, you’ve always been a daughter”.. So by those privileges I know that there comes a responsibility, and when the Lord touches you in such a way, you can't be selfish with you, you have to pay it forward. And that's my drive. As far as healthcare, I’ve always wanted to be a doctor, but growing up I was discouraged to be a doctor because I was always told my grades weren’t good enough,

and I let that deter me; but I was determined to be in healthcare because I felt like a healer. I was the one going to get bandaids and alcohol when someone got hurt outside; then when my grandmother got sick, and I got more into her health, and helped take care of her, it was just on from there… Q: Have you faced any adversities being a Black woman in this space? Any uphill battles in your profession? A: It's going to sound weird, but not really; and I think that comes from my confidence, or walking into places and knowing I deserve to be there and I think that energy reflects onto others. It’s not to say I don't notice little underhanded things or little slick things. Little things that my discernment tells me to look out for so I know to divert to another direction. I’ve trusted my discernment, I’ve trusted my intuition, “not all the time in my relationships” (we both laughed out loud about that) but in my profession, when it came to my paper, i was very trusting in my discernment; so I don't feel like i've ever been stopped because i’m Trans, or you can’t come in here, or overlooked because of it, and if i did, i would addressed it directly, so i honestly can’t say there’s been an instance where i've been rejected because of my Trans experience. Q: How did you get involved in BlaqueOut Magazine? How did you become one of the columnists? A: I remember when Tam was living here or I think she was, and she said something to me about wanting to start a magazine. At the time Tam worked with the “Out Alliance” and did “the Empty Closet”, so she decided to start putting together this new magazine. I said cool, I told her to come on with it… she asked me if i wanted to be one of the writers and i was like, sure!… I always got something to say; and it started from there… and the rest is history, I've been doing it every month since. Q: So what makes BlaqueOut special to You?

A: “To be able to give a voice to the voiceless”.. This magazine is special to me because it allows people who feel they don't have a voice, to have a voice and be heard. That is so important in this climate right now… to allow people to be their authentic selves in a way where other places would have rejected them or have them to wash over who they were, and water it down… We can open up and be ourselves in our community… Just to see this magazine give back so much when that’s my passion- It’s liberating… it's a breath of fresh air…. I love what it has done for so many people… It’s beautiful to me… Just to see this magazine give back, it is an amazing creation! Q: So if you had to pick one, do you have a favorite article in the magazine? A: Everyone is awesome, and I love everyone’s article… but my article with T.S Madison was so special to me because I love T.S Madison so much… for me to be able to meet and interview T.S Madison and create that article, it was a full circle moment for me… i love her heart and how she carries herself. I love her from a spiritual place. I love everyone’s articles and I look forward to reading the magazine every month! Q: With you being open about how necessary the magazine is, what message would you have for our Editor of BlaqueOut to keep going in this space? A: What i will always say to her, no matter how difficult it gets, no matter how much you may feel like it's not going where you want it to go, IT IS.. you have to keep pushing it forward, you have to keep working at it and what you are doing is making a huge difference; it’s more important than meets the eye.

As we closed out our meeting, Javannah informed us about how to access her services online at www.WaveWomenInc.com; or BlaqueOut Magazine and from there you can be directed to her services and her books. In her parting message when asked; “What would be your last words of encouragement for anyone who doubts themselves, or is questioning themselves?” Her response was, “Your potential transcends your circumstances. Believe in yourself no matter what you are going through, it won't last always; instead, always believe in yourself. “ What a powerful and impactful statement to close out an amazing conversation, with an amazing representation for the culture. Thank you so much for your time Javannah; it was an absolute pleasure conversing with such a heart.

Javannah Davis Is the only writer to have contributed In all 36 Issues since the birth of Blaque/OUT Magazine. Javannah writes, “Living In The Light”, “Queer Revolutionaries” and has Interviewed countless folks In print and in video for Blaque/OUT TV, Including the Incomparable, TS Madison and the Deputy Director of LGBTQ+ Affairs for the State of New York, Chanel Lopez.

Celebrating 3yrs

Florida

AS BLAQUE/OUT GOES INTO ITS THIRD YEAR, THE WRITERS HAD THE PLEASURE OF INTERVIEWING ONE ANOTHER AND I HAD THE PLEASURE OF SITTING DOWN WITH THE WORLD TRAVELER, IMMANI LOVE. SHE AND I MAY NOT AGREE ACROSS THE FOOTBALL FIELD AS SHE’S A PHIADELPHIAN WHO IS LOYAL TO THE EAGLES AND I’M A CHICAGOAN LOVING THE BEARS, BUT SHE STILL HAS AN INTERESTING LIFE TO SHARE. EW: IL:

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT PROFESSION? I AM AN EROTIC POET, REAL ESTATE AGENT, AND BUSINESS CONSULTANT.

EW: IL:

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM JOB? I’M DOING IT. I LEFT CORPORATE AMERICA TO DO THIS WORK.

EW: IL:

WHERE HAVE YOU PERFORMED? I HAVE TRAVELED THE UNITED STATES AND THE UK. I HAVE PERFORMED IN AUSTRALIA AS WELL.

EW:

YOU ARE QUITE DEDICATED TO YOUR WORK. HAVE YOU BEEN RECOGNIZED BY THE WRITING COMMUNITY? YES, I HAD THE PLEASURE OF BEING NAMED POET OF THE YEAR IN 2013 BY THE NATIONAL POET AWARDS.

IL: EW: IL:

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ANYONE INTERESTED IN WRITING, EXOTIC OR OTHERWISE? I WOULD TELL THEM TO DO IT NOW. DON’T HESITATE. WRITE THE BOOK, THE ARTICLE, THE PLAY, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO. DO IT NOW.

EW: IL:

HOW DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED WITH BLAQUE/OUT? TAMARA LEIGH AND I BELONG TO A GROUP AND SHE PUT OUT A CALL FOR MODELS WHO WERE COMFOR WITH POSING NUDE. THAT WAS RIGHT IN MY WHEELHOUSE, SO I RESPONDED. THE REST IS HISTORY.

EW:

WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OUR EDITOR-INCHIEF, TAMARA LEIGH? I WOULD TELL HER NOT TO BE TOO HARD ON HERSELF, TO TAKE THE TIME FOR A BREAK, AND THAT SHE DESIGNATE TIME FOR HERSELF. TAM, YOU ARE AMAZING AND WE ALL LOVE YOU.

IL:

IT WAS AN HONOR TO INTERVIEW IMMANI. IN THE MIDST OF ALL SHE HAS DONE AND IS DOING, YOU CAN READ ONE OF HER 3 PUBLISHED WORKS: WORKPLACE, FOUR SEASONS, AND SENSUALLY SPEAKING. CHECK OUT HER MONTHLY CONTRIBUTION TO BLAQUE/OUT AND HER BUSINESS WEBSITE IMMANILOVE.COM. I’M SURE SHE HAS MANY MORE YEARS TO OFFER TO BOTH. CREATIVES LIVE TO CREATE.

Celebrating 3yrs

North Carolina

EL Winston has been a part of the Blaque/OUT family for a little over a year. His humor, honesty and willingness to share some of the most personal aspects of his life with our readers make his contribution to the magazine invaluable. We value representation above all else but also recognize that each of us are Individual souls, have unique styles and are unique translations of humanity. We love that Winston brings us stories and experiences that demonstrate his transition, his way. It forever reminds us that each of our life transitions are our own and that this Is no right or wrong way. Just life lessons and journeys of discovery to uncover our own authenticity. Thank you Winston for the laughs, the friendship and most Importantly for the way you have touched countless people through these pages!

FEATURE BUSINESS

AN JEANETTE R. CONLEY-JACKSON R O C H E L L E

J .

P H O T O G R A P H Y

FAYETTEVILLE, NC ROCHELLE JACKSON INNERSTOOD TAP

ROCHELLE J PHOTOGRAPHY

Rochelle J. Photography is a community based photography business that thrives on providing the ability for families of color to have images (family, individual) to leave as a legacy. Affordably priced Rochelle J. provides quality and an experience that is second to none. From the womb of Rochelle J. Photography, INNERstood Therapeutic Art Photography LLC was born. INNERstood, also known as ITAP, presents a therapeutic view through the lens where vision is used to change the view of past hurts and disappointments. INNERstood = standing for the INNER you. Photography is a gift that can never be shared enough. I am truly grateful for the ability to share it with others.

ROCHELLEJPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Celebrating 3yrs

South Carolina

St. Pete Pride & Capital Consulting Group In Partnership with. ....

MAGAZINE

TRANSCENDING HATE: NATIONAL VIRTUAL TOWN HALL

ON TRANS DAY OF REMEMBRANCE BLAQUE/OUT MAGAZINE SITS DOWN WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS FROM ACROSS THE NATION FOR A 2-PANEL VIRTUAL EVENT DISCUSSING LIFE AS A COMMUNITY UNDER ATTACK. We honor the memories of our Trans/NB/GNC family & seek to uplift the voices of both our Incredible writers as well as Community Leaders from across the nation who deserve the ear of the world In. this crucial moment In history.

OUR PANELISTS

NOV 6PM 20TH EST TO REGISTER FOR THIS FREE COMMUNITY CONVERSATION, VISIT... https://TDORTownHall.eventbrite.com

FOR MORE INFO, CONTACT:

tamaraleigh@blaqueoutmag.com

W W W . B L A Q U E O U T . C O M

we have prayed and t in their life. What happens when poin e som at loss s nce erie exp on Every pers Is it really that nothing has a situation and nothing happens? nge cha to God ed ask ve we’ ed, pray a thing in ing? Could it be that God is doing pen hap is t wha w kno ’t don we t happened or is it tha t you think It really could be that some of wha yet? it of t frui the see ’t can just our life and we ugh because it looks need to be a mourning process tho still may re The . you for t isn’ d you nee 30:11, “Thou hast turned re is a loss. The Word says in Psalm different than what we thought. The gladness.” off my sackcloth, and girded me with put t has u tho : cing dan into g for me my mournin and that God has is not to be a permanent condition g rnin mou our t tha us inds rem Thankfully, this rough. ver mourns is prepared for a breakth something planned for you. Whosoe itled to or all g this life are all that you are ent livin felt s pain the t tha t ugh tho How often have you t God hopes for we are limiting who God is and wha , way this k thin we n Whe ? erve that you des y, I felt heartbroken. . When my grandmother passed awa iate ropr app is g rnin mou for e tim r you. You her. After losing her, I and in many ways I felt lost without She was a powerful force in my life she passed it. I had 4 children to raise. Since ugh thro ned ctio fun I but , rned mou still had to live. I ildren, and a whole ted teaching, welcomed 2 grandch star ree, Deg r's helo Bac my ived away: I rece that I don’t miss her. It able to celebrate. It doesn’t mean n bee e hav I t tha gs thin er oth of host nearly cripples me. On the times when I miss her so much it doesn’t mean that there aren’t still ill in me. ors her and all that she tried to inst hon can I life t bes the g livin my flip side of that,

North Carolina

Whosoever Mourns...

- Pastor Roni

PRESTIGE BY:

from ple you, love. Take your power back Ultimately, your mourning cannot crip steps to in a weakened state. Pray for your stay to you for ires des who my the ene go for a walk; your therapist; get out of the bed; Call g. thin t nex the to red orde be ver mourns It is your breakthrough time! Whosoe color, or whatever else you can do. alone. Love, God. You are not expected to journey must surrender it at the throne of all for you. joy, grace, peace, and gladness are

PHOTO

f. You need to take the lves. You don’t need to find yoursel mse the find to d nee y the say ple Peo . There is find what life you’re meant to live and rn mou to nt mea are you es time to learn what loss en pieces, but only be showing up with your brok may You th. Ear on here e enc pres a gift of your spot that will help a piece and let it be placed in the God Give . ugh eno are es piec en your brok the rebuild begin.

PORTRAITS

mourning, but today God is ws your losses. There is a time for kno God . pain e hav you ws kno God enveloped in God’s you to mourn. Today you get to be saying that He no longer desires for rning. Look to dance. Dance right out of that mou to e plac a find to you on ing call goodness. God is and be reminded a deep breath right where you are e Tak . help r you es com ch whi the hills from breath right where you are lost was not for you. Take a deep you t tha is g thin t tha r teve wha t tha embrace, it is the Holy lost is calling you to live. Feel that and be reminded that whomever you only experienced in living. Spirit engulfing you with a warmth

Celebrating 3yrs

North Carolina

LIVING IN THE LIGHT: SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW

September 2023

Roni Winston aka Pastor Roni was greatly influenced by her grandparents, Reverend Dexter Melvin and Missionary Beatrice Melvin, whom she spent childhood summers with in the pews of her grandfather’s African Methodist Episcopal congregation. The Word was exposed to her and a thirst began then to serve God. Unfortunately, the times did not recognize a woman of the Word in the AME tradition and Pastor Roni was told that a woman could not preach the gospel. God does not move with the world, so He continued to pour into her life preparing her for the time to come. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Roni and having a heart-to-heart with her in regards to her career, ministry, and the importance of a healthy spiritual relationship. Check out the video interview on BlaqueOut Mag TV by clicking the link below.

LOVE LIVES IN US...

The Winstons Winston and the Mrs. (E. L. and Roni)

Love lives in us....the Winstons and we just want to share a little of it with you. People say that a person can never go home again, but is that true? Is there a safe space that has changed with time and experience that you still enjoy? A place of your childhood that still brings you solace, peace, and comfort? Our memories do have the capability of bringing us to sweet, tender, and reflective experiences. Some memories we can enjoy which has us holding onto stuffed animals from our childhood or our favorite concert t-shirt from our teenage years. What if love could be like that? Can love recover after part of the relationship has been broken? Can it ever be home again?

The Mrs. When Winston and I met, I was in a relationship and he was in a situationship. We were meant to just be friends but it was like a hand to a perfectly fit glove. We couldn't deny it, but we sure tried. I was trying to hold on to a relationship that just wasn't the one for either one of us. Winston was simultaneously trying to be 1-800-Save-A-Hoe. So Winston and I kept being friends, but we just couldn't stay that way. It was love. My relationship came to an end and the Winstons got together for the FIRST time, then we BROKE UP. I got back with the ex, she and I broke up again, then came the Winstons for the SECOND time. We weren’t done with the story though, then, we broke up AGAIN! Winston reached out just to check the temperature in the room and I cried. I had missed him so much. Around we go for the THIRD time and the rest is Love Lives history. Now this is not to say that the knucklehead you keep breaking up with and getting back together with is your forever. But look at every situation and encounter on its merits. Just like those childhood memories, by the time we reached round 3, the Winstons were different. I had finally grown into my own and realized that almost the right thing is not good enough. I wanted THE real thing. If we had believed you can't go home again (that place of solace, peace, and comfort), then we might have missed our love story.

Celebrating 3yrs

Georgia

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