Where It Begins: The Month of Love

Where it Begins ........

Love The Love

Worth

Waiting for

Love Wins

THE

ARNOLD'S

A Love Story

F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 6 04 NOEL & CHRISSY ARNOLD A Love That Defied Walls 08 LORA & MARCEL CHAPMAN A Snowstorm, a Tweet, and a Love Meant to Last 10 BERNARD & SHAY A Love Led by Faith, Friendship, and Intention 12 LAUREN QUIRKE The Real Deal with Relationships 14 CECE HYMES Setting the Soundtrack for Love

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16 CANDY WASHINGTON How to Turn Self - Love Into Power Couple Goals 20 OSCAR & BRANDI SIMS Where It Begins: A Love Built on Commitment, Courage, and Choosing Each Other 22 KRISTEN HANEY Iris Enterprises Phoenix Wellness Programs 24 LOVE ON THE SCREEN: Valentine's Day Movies That Still Give Us Butterflies

26 DAVID & MONICA A Swipe, A Spark, and A Love That Chose Honesty From Day One 28 KRIS FULLER 6 Tips for Keeping Romance Alive 30 LOVE ON THE SCREEN Valentine’s Day Movies & The Perfect Book Pairings 32 SHURONDA & DONAVAN Where It Begins: Anchored in Faith, Strengthened by Love

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W.I.B (Where It Begins) is an Independent agency with the aim to always be innovated in each approach taken to projects and making sure excellence is given in a projects execution when it comes to media marketing, branding, networking and management.

Founded by the well experienced and ever growing force; D.C native - Cece Hymes, the most important and integral aspect of W.I.B is that branding for both Creatives and Businesses is taken to the next level with each and every project undertaken.

We’ve continued to represent a very diverse and well acclaimed roster of emerging talents in the entertainment, and businesses!

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With a determined persistence for continued excellence, our Founder – Cece Hymes, with a college Degree in Business Management, has also worked within radio and with many companies such as: RDE Entertainment, H.I.G.H Entertainment and Caribbean Gospel Records Ltd.,

Cece Hymes Founder

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WHERE IT BEGINS 3

Noel & Chrissy Arnold A Love Story, The Arnold’s Way

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How did your paths first cross and what stood out immediately?

What lesson did love teach you through this relationship?

Chrissy: Our path crossed in such an unlikely place. We met at Miami Federal Correctional Institution where we were both housed as inmates. Noel had been housed there for about 3 years before I was transferred there in 2016. I am a transgender female born with a medical condition of klinefelter’s syndrome. My DNA is female(XXY Chromosomes) which at the time I had male genitals. Because of the genitals I was housed with the men even though my body, appearance as well as lived experience was female.

We are always learning however we have endured and understanding real love will stand the test of time. Chrissy was released from Miami FCI on 2/14/2019 and waited for Noel to be released, which happened on 01/28/2025. That was 17 days from 6 years that we were physically separated. Chrissy was out building a life and Noel was still in the system that was hell bent on keeping us physically apart. Chrissy was not approved to visit Noel and could only talk to him on the phone and email him. The Bureau of Prisons would not approve US to get married on the compound so we got married over the phone.

Noel: What stood out to me clearly was a female walking in the door to be housed with all males and of course Chrissy is beautiful.

Chrissy: Noel is very handsome so that stuck out to me at first glance.

When did curiosity turn into Love?

Chrissy: When I first saw Noel, I thought he was very handsome however I grew not to like him simply because I feel like he was participating in the gossip that was going around the compound saying I was in a relationship with someone I was not. However one day I was sitting on the bench during lunch time drinking a cup of coffee. I saw this man walking in the opposite direction with his back turned to me. As I was watching him I heard the voice that I know to be GOD tell me that man was my Husband.

Instantly Noel turned around and started walking in the opposite direction. I then saw his face and gasped. I could not believe it. Noel then turned back around and started back walking in the direction he was originally walking in. It was as if GOD himself turned Noel around so I could see exactly who GOD had just told me was my Husband.

Was there a moment you realized this love felt different?

We have discussed this a lot so honestly from the beginning it has always felt right.

It felt like destiny. We both felt at peace with each other from the start like our path crossed for this purpose.

Going through this was mentally, emotionally and physically draining however Love would not allow US to quit on each other because of others foolishness. It was because of the Love that we have been able to hold things together.

What makes your Love feel safe and steady?

How do you keep joy, laughter, and romance alive?

Quite simply our faith. We have a personal relationship with GOD that is ours!

We don’t do things the way others do, we just do US? GOD is the center of our lives therefore our love was built on a strong foundation that many have tried to shake but has failed.

Honey all you have to do is watch our facebook pages to see that. We don’t take ourselves so seriously that we can’t have fun. We play with each other just like we are giddy teenagers. We do our best to shower each other with gifts. We are very affectionate with each other.

We met at a point in our lives where we both were ready to settle down and live life.

We had been through enough to know and understand what is most meaningful and most of all we both were ready to do the work it takes for a successful relationship/ marriage to work.

What made this proposal feel personal to your love story?

Chrissy: Quite simply as I stated above, GOD told me this was my Husband and since the day I shared that with Noel

I gathered myself then went into my dorm. I avoided Noel for the next couple days but the next time I saw him I told him GOD said he was my Husband. Noel laughed and said, “No I am not not!” We laughed and have never been apart since that day.

Noel: At first sight I was curious about Chrissy but was not bold enough to say anything to her because of her damn mouth? She didn’t mind cursing people out and would fight as well. When she told me GOD said I was her Husband, I was in awe and didn’t expect that although I was feeling that way. Everything came together just like GOD purposed it to come together.

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been tested in every way imaginable however have withstood every force that has tried to break US! When we started this journey we did not know our own strength however now we know and understand just how resilient we are! we have not been apart. It’s personal because when GOD spoke we listened.

What does Love & Commitment look like on hard days?

Chrissy: It looks like still being respectable. You can’t just be saying and doing things because you are mad. It’s getting down to the source/origin of the issue so it can be addressed and dealt with. It’s positive affirmation and reassuring your partner of your love for them. It’s giving grace--understanding and knowing no one is perfect.

Noel: Everything she said, but also knowing you ain’t going anywhere so you might as well get over it and get right! LOL What has marriage taught you about patience?

Chrissy: Baby let me tell you, I waited almost 6 years for this man to come home to me. If that ain’t patience I don’t know what is. I focused on building the businesses and a home Noel could be proud to come home to therefore staying busy assisted with getting through a lot of the hard days.

Noel: Marriage is a full time job. There is no off time. I have to consider Chrissy in every decision that I make. Also in that we are getting to know each other in the capacity that only living with someone can show you it is taking some patience. We are learning each other therefore we must understand that there are some things about each other we are going to have to get used to.

What lessons has love taught you about resilience?

We have been together since September 1, 2016. Since that time we have

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What kind of life are you building together?

The life that we are building together is the life we once talked and dreamed about when we were on the Rec Yard at Miami FCI. We are running a very successful Real Estate Business. We own several properties, are writing books and will eventually land us a TV show.

How do you keep dreaming together?

We keep setting goals which are based on our dreams and as we accomplish those goals/dreams we make more!

What legacy do you want your love to leave?

We want our legacy to show that love is love and that it can be found in the most unlikely places with the most unlikely persons. Our love has withstood every test sent to destroy it. When GOD is your source he will make the impossible possible.

fully moved in it was a great choice for us. Noel picked a great home which is located in one of Tallahassee, Florida most exclusive neighborhoods i.e. Bobbin Trace. The property is a 9,475 sq ft with 7,191 heated/cooled sq ft, 5 bedrooms, 8 baths on 3.46 acres. This property cost us $2,050,000. Consist with what we dreamed when we were at Miami FCI on the rec yard we went from prison to a palace!

Seeing Noel happy in the home we currently live in has strengthened our marriage because he felt heard and his wishes were honored. I don’t believe any man is going to be happy in a marriage where he never gets what he wants.

What does this home represent for your future together?

This home represents stability. We are going to laugh, love, grow and glow in this home for as long as we choose to live here.

What’s next on your love journey together?

We honestly can’t say. We are currently living the life GOD purposed for us to live and we are enjoying it. The doors that are supposed to be opened will be opened and the doors that are supposed to be closed will be closed. We have made our wish known to GOD for our own Reality TV Show and we believe it is going to happen soon.

How did the home-buying journey challenge or strengthen your relationship?

Chrissy: Honestly the home buying process with Noel was fun. Prior to Noel’s release I had purchased several properties without his input so I kind of let him run the show on our current property.

Noel did not want to stay in the house he came home to because although it was beautiful it left no room for us to grow together. I had filled that house with reflection of me over the years so I knew Noel was not going to feel at home as much as I did.

Armed with this knowledge I actually allowed Noel to pick the new house. It was not my first choice however it is the one he desired to have so I honored his wishes and did not fight him on it. Now that we are

This is A Love Story, The Arnold’s Way!!!

Our Social Media Handles: Facebook: Noel Arnold Chrissy Shorter-Arnold Realtor Chrissy Shorter-Arnold Instagram: Realtorchrissyshorterarnold Youtube: Chrissy Shorter-Arnold Website: chrissyshorterarnold.com shorterarnoldproperties.com

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Where It Begins: A Snowstorm, a Tweet, and a Love Meant to Last

Lora & Marcel Chapman Some love stories begin with candlelight dinners. Ours began during the Atlanta Snowpocalypse of 2014… and on Twitter.

I was home in Chattanooga, snowed in and bored, and for the second time in my life decided to scroll Twitter — mainly to check if an ex I had dumped was salty yet. He wasn’t. He had clearly moved on. But fate had something better waiting in my mentions.

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While scrolling, I noticed Georgia State was closed due to the storm. A tweet popped up from a guy asking if anyone knew whether school was canceled. Since I knew the answer, I replied.

Moments later, he tweeted, “Guess I’ll be ordering pizza.”

I shot back, “Don’t do that to that poor pizza man. That’d be dangerous.”

He asked what he was supposed to do instead. I told him my dad — a Marine — was

backpacking through the snow to the store to get food for us.

His response?

“Bet. Tell him to get me some chicken nuggets.”

And just like that, I was intrigued.

He wasn’t intimidated by my Marine father. He wasn’t turned off that I was 21 and still living at home. He was funny, confident, and unbothered in the best way.

facing foreclosure. While I felt an unexplainable peace that something good was coming, he was worried for me. My family moved into a shelter for four months.

And during that time, instead of running, he prepared. He worked hard to move out of his parents’ home. He secured his own apartment. Added me to his phone plan.

And asked me to move in with him.

We moved to DMs, the playful banter continued, and I gave him my number. He waited a full day to call because he “didn’t want to look thirsty.” (I was slightly offended — I wanted that call immediately.)

From that first conversation, we talked every single day.

Long Distance, Big Faith, and a Shelter Season A month later, I visited him in Atlanta. After one weekend together, he looked at me and said: “If I let you leave without asking you to be my girlfriend, I know someone else will take you from me.”

I said yes.

We began a year of long distance. I visited monthly under the guise of acting and modeling jobs. We took our first vacation together. We dreamed. We planned.

Then life shifted.

That winter, my family learned we were

I told him I would — after my final theater production wrapped. He said he’d be there to see it… and to take me back to Atlanta with him. I told my family two days before I left. I didn’t want anyone to talk me out of it. They were working with the VA to secure housing, and I told them not to even worry about having a bedroom for me.

They thought I was joking.

Until closing night came — and so did he.

A Father’s Blessing & A Suitcase Full of Faith I introduced him to my spiritual mother and my Marine/Pastor/Former Cop father — who promptly described his entire weapons collection to my boyfriend… who listened with genuine interest.

They bonded over motorcycles and church.

The real shock? My father couldn’t find anything to dislike about him.

He even gave his blessing for marriage — and attempted to bribe us with $400 so we

wouldn’t “shack up.” I declined and told him I wanted marriage when the time was right.

He still slipped me $250 for a secured credit card and told my man, “Take care of my daughter.”

With nothing but a suitcase and a duffle bag full of shoes, I left home and started a new life in May 2015.

We fumbled through adulting with open communication, deep love, and a promise to always show up for each other.

A Christmas Proposal & A Delayed Honeymoon In 2017, on Christmas Day — ironically one day after I told a church member that I didn’t need a ring to prove love — he proposed. We married Labor Day weekend in 2019. Then COVID hit.

Careers paused. Plans shifted. Dreams rerouted. Our honeymoon had to wait.

But in 2025, on our anniversary, we finally made it to Maui — a full-circle moment that felt like heaven rewarding perseverance.

For Richer, For Poorer Our journey has embodied every vow: For richer. For poorer. In sickness and in health. We have nursed each other back from the brink of death.

We have survived career shutdowns.

We have rebuilt from nothing.

Some call us twin flames.

All I know is this: He is my person.

And I am his.

Together, we’ve grown into phenomenal individuals who are writing our own definition of happily ever after.

And it all began… with a snowstorm and a tweet.

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Bernard & Shay A Love Led

by Faith, Friendship, and Intention

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During the cruise, they attended a familiar game show called Love & Marriage.

Bernard told Shay to find seats for everyone while he “handled something.” What she didn’t know was that he was coordinating with the show’s producers.

After the show ended, the host suddenly announced that someone in the audience had an issue and wanted to complain. The producer pointed directly at Bernard.

Shay: We met at work. I was a temp working at his job. I wasn’t interested — but he swears I was.

Shay: I was confused! The host called us both to the stage. I kept telling the audience I didn’t know what was happening. She told me to stand in front of him and not turn around. And then — the room shifted.

Bernard dropped to one knee. The crowd erupted in “awwws,” and in that moment, Shay knew this was the surprise she had been sensing all along. She said yes.

When did you realize this was your forever person?

What emotions did you feel in that moment?

Bernard: I knew when I took her to my cousin’s wedding. She blended right in with my family. Everyone loved her — and that meant everything to me.

Shay: Grateful. Excited. Loved.

Shay: I knew when his actions consistently matched his words. He made me feel safe. He initiated prayer between us, and in that moment, I knew I could trust his leadership. That meant more to me than anything.

What conversations have been most important during your engagement?

What makes your relationship different from past relationships?

Shay: We’re planning our wedding, honeymoon, and preparing to buy a home — all within the next year. We’re being strategic and spacing things out so we don’t feel overwhelmed.

How did you two meet?

Bernard: Our communication. Our willingness to compromise. And most importantly, our commitment to growing in Christ together. We don’t just talk about faith — we live it.

Shay: The same. This relationship feels aligned — spiritually and emotionally.

The Proposal: A Love & Marriage Surprise Bernard had known for over six months that he wanted to marry Shay. But before asking the question, he wanted to meet her family and ensure their union felt right on every level.

Once he received that peace, he planned a cruise for both families to connect — but Shay had no idea what was coming.

Shay: We had been talking about marriage off and on, and as the cruise approached, he kept asking questions.

I figured something might happen on the trip — but I wasn’t sure.

Bernard: Nervous — but overwhelmingly excited.

Bernard: Building our future intentionally — spiritually, physically, mentally, and financially. We’ve discussed joint accounts and long-term alignment.

What do you admire most about your fiancé?

Bernard: We genuinely enjoy each other. We laugh. We have fun. There’s real friendship here.

Shay: I feel emotionally safe with him. He loves the Lord, he listens intentionally, and

he makes me laugh. There are so many qualities I admire — but the safety I feel stands out the most.

How do you keep the romance alive?

Shay: I surprised him. I dress up for him. I try to be thoughtful by getting him gifts from time to time. I pay attention to his love language.

Bernard: After God, she comes first.

I run candlelit baths, give massages, bring flowers — and stay intentional about loving her well.

What has this engagement taught you about love?

Shay: It taught me patience. I love him even when he gets on my nerves — and that doesn’t change. He tore down walls I didn’t even realize were still standing.

Before meeting Bernard, I fasted from dating and intimacy. I told God I was tired of doing everything alone. I asked Him to cleanse me and prepare me for my husband. I prayed specifically — my “Ciara prayer.” I was intentional about what I asked for.

And here’s the truth — I had to fix myself first. I had to take accountability for my past decisions. That healing led me to him. He made love worth trying again.

Bernard: It feels good to receive love and not just give it. I know she has my best interest at heart. When she’s stressed or overwhelmed, I step in. I protect her peace. I want her next to me every morning — and I don’t take that lightly.

How do you envision your perfect wedding day?

Bernard: Celebrating with family and friends, dancing, and sharing our first kiss as husband and wife — united under God. Shay: A beautiful day honoring my heavenly parents, surrounded by love and joy. Finally saying “I do” to my partner and best friend. I’ve waited a long time for this kind of love — and it feels so good to receive it.

Finish this sentence: “Where It Begins…”

Bernard: “…will be with the union of Bernard & Shay, bonded by Christ.”

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Lauren Quirke The Real Deal with Relationships

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After almost a decade with my husband, three tiny humans and building a successful business i get asked regularly for advice on how i make it all work and the simple truth is this: I only have space for REALATIONSHIPS. After almost a decade with my husband, three tiny humans and building a successful business i get asked regularly for advice on how i make it all work and the simple truth is this: I only have space for REALATIONSHIPS.

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n the time I have known and loved my husband we have had our fair share of ups and downs. We have fought and floundered. We have battled and braved many of storm together. If there is one thing that I have learned from our relationship it would be that you have to stay true to you and your partner has got to do the same. I don’t believe in measuring success within a relationship, there is not good and bad, the lines are blurred and there is no black and white on the page of your love story.

on my journey of self-exploration and surrender to my spirituality and follow my soul. He watched for a long time, probably convinced that he married a mad woman.

Soon after I started to see the changes in him, he became more willing to step out of his comfort zone, try new things, read new books, he even meditates now – the man I married NEVER would have meditated. Here is the thing about being in a relationship in 2020, this is the secret that we discovered that equates to our success.

We don’t have a relationship, we have a REALATIONSHIP. A Relationship is exactly how it sounds.

We choose every day to remain true to ourselves and follow our souls, but we also choose every day to facilitate the other in their journey. At the end of the day it comes down to being honest with yourself and your partner, committing to your personal growth and giving your partner the grace to walk their own path.

I like to think of us as two vines who grow side by side, we are two individuals who wrap around each other but grow separately, sometimes one vine gets more water or sun and grows a little faster but side by side they remain. The real deal with relationships in 2020 is simple. Create a REALATIONSHIP and stay true to you.

This year my husband and I will renew our vows, a decision we made based on two things. Firstly, neither of us can remember our original and traditional vows but secondly and arguably more importantly we are not the same two people who stood in front of our friends and family and declared our love. In the time since our original wedding we have both grown into new people. I am not the same woman I was then, and he is not the same man. Our tandem journey has involved disagreements, vulnerability and a heck of a lot of uncomfortable conversations and yet here we stand. Two different people, still in love, still willing to commit to each other and to me, that calls for celebration. I was the first to embark

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SETTING The Soundtrack for LOVE By: Cece

Hey hey!

💕

It’s February — the month of love.

And while flowers and chocolates are sweet, the real mood-setter? The music.

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Love Has a Sound

Friendship has a sound. Confidence has a sound.

So I curated two playlists to carry us all month long — one for the lovers and one for the ladies.

Whether you're boo’d up or celebrating your independence, there’s a rhythm for you.

Let’s get into it.

❤️Valentine’s Playlist

💖️Galentine’s Playlist

This playlist is for slow dances in the kitchen. Candlelight dinners. Soft touches. Late-night conversations.

It’s grown. It’s smooth. It’s intimate.

Now this one? This is for the brunch table.

The selfies. The group chat hype sessions.

The healing. The leveling up.

It’s bold. It’s confident. It’s independent.

For The GIRLS

For The LOVERS

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The Full Valentine’s Playlist

1. Sade – By Your Side 2. Anita Baker – Sweet Love 3. Luther Vandross – Here and Now 4. Carl Thomas – Summer Rain 5. Whitney Houston – You Give Good Love 6. Bruno Mars – Versace on the Floor 7. Carl Thomas – Hey Now 8. Sade – Kiss of Life 9. Faith Evans – I Love You 10. Adele – Make You Feel My Love 11. John Legend – Tonight 12. Jon B – They Don’t Know / Waiting on You 13. Tank – Control 14. Jagged Edge – Love Comes Down 15. Alicia Keys – Fire We Make 16. Jill Scott – All I 17. 112 – Sweet Love 18. Chris Brown – Make Love 19. Ginuwine – I’m In Love 20. Joe – The Love Scene 21. Keyshia Cole – Long Way Down 22. Goapele – Play 23. Janet Jackson – Anytime, Any Place 24. Chrisette Michele – (Your favorite slow jam) 25. John Legend – U Move, I Move 26. Alina Baraz – Can I 27. Eric Bellinger – Imagination 28. Jhené Aiko – When We Love 29. Tinashe – Ecstasy 30. Chris Brown – Warm Embrace This playlist is sensual without being rushed.

Classic without being outdated. It’s about connection. Press play. Pour the wine. Let the music do what it does.

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Listen here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFVOPhwXqHVoO D9AyXLZu6n468NsySYu&si=-PAG9bJZoHbBcYvO

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The Full Galentine’s Playlist

1. Trina – Single Again 2. Beyoncé – Single Ladies 3. Tiffany Evans – Promise Ring 4. Ariana Grande – 7 Rings 5. Mary J. Blige – Just Fine 6. Rihanna – Only Girl 7. Doja Cat – Woman 8. SZA – Good Days 9. Katy Perry – Roar 10. Chloe x Halle – Do It 11. Summer Walker – Girls Need Love 12. Latto – Big Energy 13. Saweetie – Best Friend 14. H.E.R. – Focus 15. Alicia Keys – Girl on Fire 16. Jhené Aiko – The Worst 17. Ashanti – Unfoolish (Remix) 18. Ari Lennox – Pressure 19. Summer Walker – Let It Go 20. Jazmine Sullivan – Girl Like Me 21. Inayah – Best Thing 22. Fantasia – Ain’t Gon’ Beg You 23. Vedo – You Got It 24. Beyoncé – Upgrade U 25. Coco Jones – ICU 26. TLC – No Scrubs 27. Kelly Rowland – Motivation 28. Alicia Keys – A Woman’s Worth 29. Eve – Who’s That Girl 30. SZA – Kill Bill 31. Christina Aguilera – Fighter This playlist celebrates freedom, femininity, growth, and power. It’s for the women who know their worth — and aren’t afraid to walk in it.

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Listen here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFVOPhwXqHU1HMxy7AOdJK1FIhyz1Qg&si=QYRI8qjfoAjFWuTU

Let February Feel Good Whether you’re in love, healing, dating, married, single, or somewhere in between — there’s a soundtrack for your season.

Music sets the atmosphere.

The atmosphere sets the mood.

And the mood sets the memory.

Wishing you a February filled with love, joy, laughter, confidence, and all the good energy. 💫 Turn it up. With Love,

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HOW TO TURN SELF - LOVE INTO POWER COUPLE GOALS

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et’s face it, you can’t have a love issue without first talking about self-love, and I say this from my own personal experience. I started my journey to self-love and self-discovery after a string of intermittent and noncommittal relationships with men that weren’t in a place to be a true partner to me.

But from these experiences I was able to glean life lessons that have led me to live a fuller and more joyful life. They also led me into being in a healthy, loving, happy, secure, and grounded relationship with a wonderful man. It is my hope that these insights do the same for you.

But let’s start from the beginning. Here I was, an accomplished entrepreneur who founded her own media company, a published author with three books under her belt, an international podcast host, a Georgetown Alumnae, and a financially secure woman, that was choosing to date men that were either emotionally unavailable or financially unstable, and oftentimes both. The turning point for me was when the guy that I was dating at the time called me ‘selfish and selfcentered’ because I was proud of my accomplishments and was sharing my future professional goals with him. Mind you, he didn’t have a steady job, his own car, or his own place to stay, but he had the audacity to belittle and dismiss me for my career achievements. It was gaslighting at its finest. Something in me snapped and I decided at that point that I had enough of not being loved, valued, appreciated, and respected in my relationships. I decided that I was done with being emotionally abused. I knew that I had to do things differently in order to find the love that I truly deserved.

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Candy Washington So, this time around, instead of looking at the men and shaking my finger at everything that was wrong with them, I took that same finger and pointed at myself to see why I was choosing men that were like them. I had to get brutally honest with myself and look inward instead of placing the blame outward. I had to look in the mirror and ask, “What do I need to work on and heal within myself in order to attract a man that not only truly loves me, but was also truly worthy of my love?” The truth was, I didn’t know. So, I set out on a personal journey of self-discovery to find out and below are the key steps that I took on my road to self-love.

5 Steps to Self-Love and Power Couple Goals

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I went to therapy

Although I love my friends and family, I knew that I needed an objective and professional person in my life that could guide me in my journey to self-love and self-discovery.

I found a therapist that I trusted and started going weekly to unpack not only my current state-of-being, but also my childhood and past experiences that shaped the way I see

My highlights: • She’s founded her own company, 1214 Media Productions • She’s published 3 books in under 1 year • She’s currently executive producing a short film, ‘Narcissist,’ that explores the role social media plays in the mental health of young adults • She was featured in LA Style’s Magazine 100 Women in Power Issue • She was the keynote speaker at Wellness on and has spoken at BlushCon, Altitude Summit, and other events • She produces a weekly self-care podcast that was picked up by Fire Media for distribution Link to her Instagram @candywashington

and move within the world. I had to tap into my own subconscious beliefs and patterns that were dictating my life choices and that were ultimately sabotaging my love life. It wasn’t always easy or pretty. In fact, it was painful, hard, and challenging to really dig deep into myself and my past to see what was driving me on the soul-level.

I can’t promise you that there won’t be times when you want to quit, but I can promise you it will be worth it because on the other side of the grit and the fear, is true freedom. The freedom to love yourself for exactly who you are and the freedom to make conscious choices about what you do and do not tolerate in your life because you know and believe that you are enough.

Power Couple Goal: Seek support and counseling before you need it and when you need it.

Going to therapy when things are in a good place is a great way to strengthen your relationship so you have the tools to deal with fights, arguments, disagreements, and problems in a healthy way rather than having things escalate to a negative space and then trying to go back and pick-up the pieces. But with, it’s never too late to seek support. So, if things aren’t in a healthy place in your relationship, there is no shame in going to couples counseling to get an outside and professional opinion on how to heal and grow your relationship.

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I committed to the process

I took a step back from dating and chose to focus on myself in order to fully commit to the process of working on me. To do this, I had to work on my own self-awareness and fully commit to looking at myself in a

realistic and authentic way. The key to seeing my own limitations, my own areas of improvement, my own weaknesses, and my own shortcomings, in a way that was healing and not condemning, was to simultaneously hold space for self-love, self-compassion, and self-understanding without judgment. I would speak to myself in a kind and loving way. I would cut myself some slack and not judge myself. I had to learn how to fully embrace and radically accept all of me and allow myself the grace to make mistakes, to be a work-in-progress, and to not have to be perfect. Being both the shadow and light didn’t mean that I wasn’t worthy of love. It didn’t mean that I was broken, damaged, or flawed. It didn’t mean that I was lacking. It didn’t mean that I wasn’t enough. It simply meant that I was human.

Power Couple Goal: Commit to each other and commit to the relationship through both thick and thin. Shift your perspective from, “Are we going to get through this?” to “How are we going to get through this?” When you really commit to making the relationship work, your mindset needs to change to knowing that things aren’t going to be perfect and roses all of the time, but that doesn’t mean that your relationship isn’t strong enough to weather the storm.

There will be inevitable down and hard times but your equal commitment to be a team and facing any and all obstacles together will sustain your relationship during the tough times. Also, hold the space for love, compassion, and understanding for your partner.

Nobody’s perfect and we all fall short, make mistakes, and have things that we need to work on. Speak to your partner in a kind and loving way and ask the same from your partner. Committing to your relationship is the fundamental decision that will make your relationship stronger after the hard times.

3

I took ownership

I previously mentioned that I took that finger of blame and pointed it at myself, but I want to be clear that it’s not about blaming anyone or about who’s wrong or right, it’s about taking back your power by being accountable and responsible for your own life. As long as I was blaming the ‘no good’ men in my life, I had no power to allow real love into my life because it meant that someone outside of myself was responsible for my happiness and ultimately, my selfworth. The moment I took ownership

for the choices that I chose to make and what was going on in my life, I felt empowered. I felt in control and left any feeling of victimhood behind. I forgave myself for any past choices that I made that didn’t serve my highest good. I did the best I could for where I was at in that particular moment and what I needed was self-compassion not self- condemnation. Taking ownership for who you are is the single most powerful thing you can do for your life.

It frees you to choose differently and to truly get what you want and deserve in this world.

Power Couple Goal: Take ownership for your 50% in the relationship. When things are going well, acknowledge and appreciate yourself for showing up fully and in a positive way for yourself and your partner. Also, acknowledge and appreciate your partner during the good times. Let them know how much you love them when things are going well and not just when you’re trying to get them back on your side after a fight or disagreement. Cultivate your relationship during the good times to build a stronger foundation for the long-term. Additionally, take ownership for your part when things aren’t going well. It takes two to tango, so taking responsibility for your part when things are tough is equally as important as holding your partner accountable for their role as well.

Admitting your part is a powerful way to gain trust and security with your partner because they know that gives them permission to do the same.

They can be honest about their own shortcomings without the fear of abandonment because you’re being strong enough to be honest about yours.

4

I dated myself

I’ve been single throughout my life, but just because I was single, that didn’t mean that I was honoring being with myself. I had to choose to date myself in an authentic way in order to discover who I was at my core. I had to discover what my likes were, what my dislikes were, what my needs were, what my wants were, what my passions were, what my pet peeves were, and what my desires were.

I basically had to start from scratch and really get to know myself. I had to get in tune with my body, mind,

WHERE IT BEGINS 17

spirit, and intuition in order to know myself fully. It was from this place of knowingness that I was able to give myself permission to fully love, accept, and see myself for all that I am. It was through this process that I finally understood unconditional love. It allowed me to love myself intrinsically, for just being who I am, that was enough.

Power Couple Goal: Never stop dating each other. Never stop striving to know each other at deeper and more meaningful levels. Carve out time during the week to spend time together and to go out on dates. Keep the romantic spark alive by checking in with your partner to make sure that their needs are being met and be vocal about what you need to feel loved and desired too. Don’t allow yourself or your partner to get complacent in the relationship. Commit to each other to make putting in the effort to keep the relationship fresh, exciting, and new.

Just like the journey to self-discovery

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is lifelong and on-going, the same goes for your relationship. The beauty of a healthy relationship is that every day you get to discover new things about your partner to love and you get to reveal new things about yourself for your partner to love.

5

I implemented a self-care routine

On my journey to self-love and selfdiscovery, the biggest lifestyle change I had to make was to have a tangible selfcare routine in place. I had to learn how to self-soothe during emotionally difficult times and how to create a lifestyle of honoring the unique space that I take up in the world in order to create a life of peace, love, and acceptance. I started meditating, journaling, taking walks in nature, listening to positive podcasts, seeking support from friends and family, and learning how to not take things personally. This also meant creating healthy boundaries with friends, family, and co-workers. It meant taking time just

for myself and doing what I needed to do to be healthy and whole. It meant not being afraid of having standards and communicating my wants and needs with others. It meant having my ‘no’ be a ‘no’ and my ‘yes’ by a ‘yes.’ It meant working on healthy and effective communication skills.

It meant surrendering to a lifelong process of choosing to fall in love with myself every day and to make my own well-being my first and best priority.

Power Couple Goal: Have a self-care routine in place for your relationship.

This means creating the space to have healthy and constructive conversations with each other instead of fighting to be right, asking for space and time instead of ignoring and ghosting each other, doing fun activities together that bring you closer, and making the time to do things without each other so you’re still cultivating yourself as a healthy and fulfilled individual.

Thebodyshopathome-usa.com/DrLisaSmith

Where It Begins: A Love Built on Commitment, Courage, and Choosing Each Other

Oscar & Brandi Sims The Beginning Brandi and Oscar Sims met in 2008 while working at a bank call center in Oklahoma — a job known for flexible hours and packed with college students chasing degrees and dreams.

Oscar stood out immediately. At 6’7”, he was impossible to miss. Around the office, he was also known as “the guy who knew where all the college parties were.”

But beyond his height and reputation, it was his consistency that caught Brandi’s attention.

“He pursued me relentlessly,” she

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laughs. “Checking in at work, asking about my weekend plans, even asking what I thought about his outfits. He made sure he stayed on my radar.”

One defining moment shifted everything.

When Brandi developed a severe eye infection, Oscar stepped in without hesitation — bringing food, helping with medication, and caring for her selflessly.

“At the time, I only saw him as a friend,” Brandi admits. “Ironically, it wasn’t until he stopped pursuing me that I realized how much he meant to me. That’s when everything truly began.”

For Oscar, it was her smile that first drew

him in — effortless, warm, unforgettable.

But what kept him grounded was the ease between them.

“Conversation flowed. Laughter came naturally. There was mutual respect from the start. We genuinely liked each other for who we were — not just the idea of being in a relationship.”

From College Love to Lifelong Commitment Their relationship deepened through real conversations about the future.

When Brandi considered moving

Brandi shares. “Career-wise, it was challenging. As a military spouse, you often feel overlooked. I had to learn how to support instead of lead.”

Oscar reflects on the bigger picture: “Navy life taught us flexibility, resilience, and trust. Routines may disappear, but commitment has to remain constant.”

Through deployments and transitions, they remained intentional. Sweet letters from Oscar kept their connection alive when distance made communication limited.

“When words are scarce, they carry more weight,” Brandi says.

back to Nashville or even joining the military to offset college expenses, Oscar encouraged her to stay in Oklahoma and pursue Cameron University instead.

“That was one of our first big conversations,” Brandi says. “It showed me he wasn’t just thinking about himself — he was thinking about us.”

For Oscar, commitment wasn’t a grand, cinematic moment.

“It was built through small decisions,” he explains. “Choosing each other daily.

Communicating honestly. Growing through change instead of apart from it.”

Knowing It Was Forever For Brandi, clarity came during an unexpected rough patch.

“Oscar tried to break up with me over something small,” she recalls. “When I realized how devastated I felt at the thought of losing him, it hit me — I didn’t just care about him. I wanted to fight for us.”

For Oscar, forever was a quiet certainty.

“There wasn’t one defining moment. I always knew it was her. Every season only reinforced that truth.”

Navy Life & Navigating Change Though both were raised as Army brats, transitioning into Navy life — especially with a first duty station in California — was a culture shock for two Southerners.

“We were adjusting to being newlyweds, becoming parents, and navigating a completely different lifestyle,”

The Diagnosis That Changed Everything One of their most defining seasons came with Oscar’s cancer diagnosis.

“I’ll never forget that day,” Brandi says quietly. With their infant son in tow and their daughter in daycare, they received devastating news. Doctors warned that if surgery happened there, Oscar’s survival odds were less than 10%.

“My first question was about his Navy career,” Brandi recalls. “The doctor stopped me and said, ‘Ma’am, we’re not even concerned about that right now. We don’t know if he’s going to be here long.’ Everything changed at that moment.”

Hope became a discipline.

Brandi created a ritual. “Every day I would say, ‘Something good, something good, something good.’

If he got out of bed — that was something good. If he laughed with the kids — something good. I trained myself to find light in the smallest moments.”

Protecting the Marriage With roles as parents, professionals, and partners, they are intentional about protecting their relationship.

“It’s easy for your marriage to become secondary,” Brandi says.

“We prioritize date nights, new restaurants, music festivals — anything that reminds us we’re more than just responsibilities.”

Oscar adds with a grin, “Nice restaurants and bougie hotels.”

Intentional Love For Brandi, intentional love is purposeful.

“It’s prioritizing the well-being of the person you love. It’s choosing them fully and actively supporting them.”

Oscar agrees. “We’ve learned not to sweat the small stuff. When you’ve faced real challenges, the day-today frustrations lose their weight.

We protect our peace and our connection.”

Defining Love After deployments, diagnoses, diapers, and dreams, their definition of love is simple but profound: “Love is sacrifice,” Oscar says.

“It’s choosing each other daily — especially when it’s not easy.”

And for Brandi?

“Where it begins… is commitment.

Choosing each other daily, through deployments, diagnoses, diapers, and dreams.”

Oscar finishes the thought: “Love is staying. Through the highs and the lows. It’s not about perfection — it’s about grace, growth, and knowing you’re facing every season together.”

WHERE IT BEGINS 21

Iris Enterprises

Phoenix Wellness Programs

By Kristen Haney My name is Kristen Haney, Founder and CEO of Iris Enterprises. Iris Enterprises is a grassroots effort in overcoming work-family-life stress situations through comprehensive wellness programs and results- driven workshops.

I

developed a method called the Phoenix Wellness Programs to help people get back

on the right path to wellness.

Phoenix Wellness Programs is positivity with purpose; teaching people soft skills in learning a new way of relating to each other.

I am sharing my story of why I started Iris Enterprises; having to overcome many obstacles and tragic events throughout my life. Drama that I was able to rise above from, persevere and become successful. I was born and raised in Helena, Montana. My mom suffered from her own childhood traumas that became her maladaptive coping skills, where she needed to get her ego needs of recognition, affection and materialism met through my personal achievements. She lived her identity through me because she didn’t know how to meet her own needs.

When my Dad wasn’t traveling for work, he was home and present, and he provided consistent structure and was involved in my

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upbringing. I was very loved and cared for by my Dad, which made my mom incredibly jealous. My parents divorced when I was 12 years old. While living with my mom, I was noticed by a modeling agency in the spring of 1989. I was 15 years old and had my first photo shoot that would prepare me for becoming a future model. I had started to value my self-worth, but things were not working in my favor at home to the point that I decided to no longer pursue my modeling career. In the fall of 1989, I was involved in a horrific car accident that took my life. I had made a terrible decision when I chose to take a ride in a truck with two other friends.

I sat in the middle of the front seat without

wearing my seatbelt. The driver of the vehicle was drunk and driving at a high rate of speed, putting the truck into a violent spin that ended with the vehicle wrapping around a tree on the driver’s side. I had been thrown from my seat, into the windshield. I had died from the catastrophic injuries that my body sustained.

I believe it was a miracle that the Emergency Medical Technicians were finally able to revive me during my ambulance transport to the hospital. I was suffering from severe internal injuries, a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Retrograde Amnesia, and Aphasia by losing implicit language. After I was released from the hospital, I was sadly not the same 15-year-old girl that I was before. I had little memory, I was fearful and trapped in the mind of a 5-yearold, eagerly trying to get out. Unfortunately, my ambition and motivation had been socially conditioned to seek toxic acceptance and affection. I had been rejected and left with feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness and depression. Eventually I had lost contact with my family as I became a burden to everyone. I was starting my life all over, alone, at the age of 16. A reality that no child should ever have to go through. I struggled to survive by living on the streets, finding nourishment however I could while seeking shelter often on a couch of a stranger. I was not sure if I desired social contact while craving acceptance from society.

I knew I wanted to become brilliant like the people I slowly found myself being surrounded by. I went back to high school, re-learning and trying to make myself whole again. Special Education courses and other therapies gave me some hope that I could eventually live a remarkable life with my high functioning abilities.

My unhealthy self-esteem was driving my unconscious behaviors to seek toxic affection needs throughout my adult relationships, while always seeking and choosing male partners with abusive characteristic traits. In 1992 I was married, pregnant with my first child and finding myself in an unhealthy relationship with my husband. My husband’s abuse caused me to go into early labor while I suffered a stroke causing paralysis to the left side of my face that would slowly improve. During the next few years I had two young boys and I continued to struggle with my speech. My boys both had trouble pronouncing words in school due to learning and listening to my verbal communication at home. I ended up divorcing my husband, only to find myself a few years later in another round of trials and tribulations of an abusive marriage while having another baby and now in the midst of raising three beautiful sons. In 1999, I started my own medical insurance billing business that was in full force for four years before starting a new venture for another company. In December 2005, I suffered a neck injury at work and then a mild stroke in 2006. My right arm was in paralysis and I was prescribed morphine and then pain medication with muscle relaxers. My body would go into shaking convulsions and there were days that I missed taking my medications. My prescribed medication doses were too much for my small frame. I found myself slurring my words and not communicating verbally because I could

not find the correct words. I was once again trapped in my body while people thought that I was taking too much medication. I was a danger to myself; my doctor had me diagnosed as a high fall risk and if I were to fall, it would kill me. I continued with my therapy, not really getting better. Only to be filled with more anxiety and depression as I was still suffering from my neck injury, two stress-related strokes, PTSD, TBI, Amnesia and Aphasia. I had to learn how to retrain my self-worth (motivation) so that I could take care of myself with the simple everyday acts of showering, dressing myself, and preparing meals. Showering was very exhausting for me. I would find myself resting before I had enough energy to get dressed afterwards.

Slowly I built up my energy so I could do my daily hygiene tasks without having to rest in between. I had to quit accepting help from everyone so that I could learn to do things myself. When the struggle became too much, I would then reach out for assistance.

I noticed people were more uncomfortable with how my life was going, more than I was.

I had finally become self-sufficient once again and this left me with wanting to anxiously do more. Usually my endorphins would kick in and I would not realize that my body was in pain and needed rest. I found myself trying to learn how to accept the terms of ‘good enough’ and be grateful for how far I had come and that I was gaining personal growth while my body was still in the healing process.

September 2007, my brother Larry, passed away from suicide. I never had any memories of Larry meanwhile I made a collage of him for his funeral. I didn’t recognize myself in the pictures. I called my mom to get her help with writing his obituary. This was my first real writing exercise after my strokes. The summer of 2009, the right side of my body became numb again. I stood up to get help and fell. I was stuck in another dark abyss.

Spiritually I could sense when my brother, Larry, was around me and I would often see

him in my peripheral. That coming winter, I found myself in the same mental state that my brother was in before he ended his life. I had three sons to live for, I decided to not only live for them, but I was going to live life for my brother who I was fiercely trying to remember. As I continued to visit with my therapist about my emotions, I started working on developing my own therapeutic techniques, still not knowing who I really was but seeing some good changes. I eventually stopped going to therapy all together and developed my own R.A.R.E. method of healing. My husband now felt threatened by my new identity and happiness that was forming. He became more abusive and my boys started staying by my side, never leaving me alone with him. We separated in 2010 and finally divorced in 2012.

In 2011, I reconnected with my Dad who had been living in Butte, Montana.

We worked on my memory and our relationship; trying to get back the years that we had lost. I also reconnected with my brother, Bobby, when I recognized his eyes from my childhood. He also helped me with remembering who I was and the role that he had played in my life. A tremendous amount of unconditional love and acceptance, strength, courage, resilience, and bravery is required, in order to overcome the vulnerability of being emotionally connected to others and by letting people know my sense of self and who I am as being my truly authentic self.

After an amnesic, like myself, has regained a strong sense of self, their identity becomes extremely protected. The gifts of being an amnesic have outweighed the obstacles that I had to overcome. I started developing healthy relationships with others through my R.A.R.E. Method. I also applied the same process that I used in healing myself and applied it to improving my work ethic, productivity, proficiency and performance, as well as achieving academic success.

WHERE IT BEGINS 23

V

alentine’s Day isn’t just about roses and reservations. It’s about slowing down long enough to feel something. And sometimes, the best way to do that is through a good love story.

Whether you're boo’d up, newly dating, married, healing, or enjoying your own company, these films remind us that love shows up in different seasons and different forms.

Here are a few movies to add to your Valentine’s watch list — each highlighting a different kind of love.

LOVE ON THE SCREEN:

Valentine's Day Movies That Still Give Us Butterflies By: Cece Love Jones For Poetic, Grown Love If you know, you know.

Love Jones isn’t loud. It’s not flashy. It’s intentional. It’s about connection, timing, ego, and vulnerability. Nina and Darius represent the kind of love that challenges you to grow up emotionally. This is for the couples who know love isn’t always smooth — it’s layered. It’s for the creatives, the thinkers, the ones who feel deeply but struggle to say it out loud.

What this movie teaches us: Love requires maturity. Pride can delay destiny. And sometimes, love deserves a second chance — but only when both people are ready.

Perfect for: A quiet night in with wine and real conversation afterward.

The Notebook For Timeless Romance No matter how many times we see it, it still hits.

The Notebook reminds us that love isn’t always convenient — but when it’s real, it’s enduring. Noah’s unwavering love for Allie represents commitment in its purest form.

Through class differences, time apart, and life’s unpredictability, their love story teaches us that passion is powerful — but consistency is everything.

What this movie teaches us: Real love fights. It waits. It forgives. And it remembers.

Perfect for: Couples who believe in forever — or anyone who wants to believe again.

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Brown Sugar For the Friends-to-Lovers Vibe Some of the best love stories start with friendship.

Brown Sugar beautifully captures what it looks like to grow alongside someone who has known you from the beginning. Sidney and Dre show us that sometimes love isn’t about searching — it’s about recognizing what’s already there.

There’s comfort in this story. Familiarity. History. Music. Chemistry that never really left.

What this movie teaches us: The right person may already be in your life. Friendship is one of the strongest foundations love can have.

Perfect for: Couples who were friends first — or anyone who secretly fell for their best friend.

Love & Basketball For Growing Together

The Photograph For Soft, Mature Love

This one is about ambition and alignment.

Monica and Quincy’s love story spans years — from childhood crushes to adulthood realities. It shows us how love evolves as we evolve. And sometimes, timing matters just as much as feelings.

This movie highlights the tension between chasing dreams and choosing love.

It asks a real question: Can two driven people build together without competing?

What this movie teaches us: Love isn’t about shrinking yourself. It’s about finding someone who respects your grind and still chooses you.

Perfect for: Power couples. Athletes. Entrepreneurs. Dream chasers.

Valentine’s Day For Light & Fun Love Sometimes, we don’t need heavy. We just need joy.

Valentine’s Day is playful and reminds us that love shows up in many forms — young love, long-term love, complicated love, unexpected love.

It’s not about one grand romance. It’s about the collective experience of loving and being loved.

What this movie teaches us: Love doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. And sometimes, it’s okay to just enjoy the moment.

Perfect for: Girls’ night, casual date night, or when you just want something sweet and entertaining.

If you love quiet intensity and emotional depth, this is your film.

The Photograph feels intentional and grown. It’s about legacy, understanding the past, and choosing vulnerability in the present. The chemistry is subtle but powerful. This is not chaotic love. This is safe love. Slow love. Intentional love.

What this movie teaches us: Emotional availability is attractive. Healing matters.

And love feels different when both people are secure within themselves.

Perfect for: Couples who value peace over drama.

Final Thoughts:

Love Looks Different for Everyone What I love most about these films is that none of them show love the same way.

Some are intense.

Some are playful.

Some are slow burns.

Some are lifelong commitments.

And that’s the beauty of it.

Valentine’s Day isn’t about comparing your relationship to a movie script. It’s about appreciating the story you’re currently writing — whether that story includes growth, healing, partnership, or preparation.

So light a candle. Pour a glass. Grab a blanket.

And let one of these films remind you that love — in all its forms — is still worth celebrating.

WHERE IT BEGINS 25

David & Monica A Swipe, A Spark, and A Love That Chose Honesty From Day One

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S

ome love stories begin in crowded rooms. Theirs began with a swipe. March st 1 is more than just a date for David and Monica — it’s their “Swipe-adversary,” the day that changed everything. They met on Bumble when David swiped first.

Within moments of matching, conversation flowed effortlessly.

The connection was instant. The energy undeniable. “The rest is history,” they both say — but the beginning is worth remembering.

First Impressions & Immediate Sparks David doesn’t hesitate when describing his first impression.

“I thought she was far out of my league,” he admits. “She looks, speaks, and carries herself like a majestic, powerful boss.

From the moment we matched, I knew I wanted more.”

Monica remembers it just as clearly.

“When I saw his pictures, I said, ‘Damn, he’s handsome!’” she laughs. “There was no hesitation. I shot my shot, swiped right, and crossed my fingers.”

What started as attraction quickly deepened into something harder to define — and impossible to ignore.

When You Know, You Know From the very beginning, everything clicked. That doesn’t mean there weren’t disagreements — but even conflict carried chemistry.

“The energy between us has always been crazy,” they explain.

Early on, they even created a playful phrase they were supposed to use whenever one of them got “too mushy” or started talking about long-term plans.

The joke didn’t last long. They kept ignoring their own rule.

“We just naturally connected in a way that was uncontrollable.”

They didn’t wake up one day and decide this was forever. Instead, feelings grew quickly and consistently — reinforced by the way they understood each other without trying.

Choosing Each Other — Daily For David and Monica, love isn’t one

grand declaration. It’s our daily intention. “Choosing each other isn’t a big one-time moment,” they share.

“It’s something we do every day.”

They both came into the relationship with life experience — enough to know what they wanted and what they didn’t. That clarity allowed them to build something that feels both effortless and solid. “When one of us is stressed or overwhelmed, the other feels it too. That’s how we know this is real.” To them, love is about showing up — especially when life gets messy.

The Hard Conversations That Built the Foundation From the start, they leaned into conversations many couples avoid: Boundaries. Worldviews. Politics.

Parenting styles. Personal fears. Trauma.

Trust. Instead of sidestepping differences, they faced them head-on.

“One of us was determined to never feel boxed in or silenced,” they share. “The other was working through trust issues shaped by history.”

Rather than allowing those differences to divide them, they worked to create compromises that didn’t erase individuality — but honored it. “It hasn’t always been easy. But it’s always been honest.”

That honesty became the core of their relationship — and even inspired their podcast, Our Side of The Bed, where they openly discuss relationships live on TikTok twice a week. Transparency isn’t just content for them. It’s their lifestyle.

Admiration & Emotional Safety When asked what he admires most about Monica, David’s answer is poetic.

“She carries so much beneath the surface while remaining calm on the outside. She’s like the deepest ocean — full of emotion and passion. I’ve always seen the little girl in the oversized business suit who just wants someone to protect her. She’s capable of doing it herself… but she makes me want to.”

For Monica, admiration looks like emotional steadiness.

of each other,” they explain. “We complement each other — like the last two pieces of a puzzle.”

Where one is strong, the other may need support. And vice versa.

Partnership, in their eyes, isn’t defined by ceremony or legal status. It’s a mutual, conscious decision to show up — emotionally, mentally, and physically.

Keeping the Romance Alive Their love languages differ — one leans toward physical touch, the other toward words of affirmation. But instead of clashing, their styles balance beautifully.

Their romance shows up in spontaneous, passion-filled hotel surprises and thoughtful, carefully planned experiences. Quick kisses. Holding hands. Deep affirmations.

It’s both energy and intention.

Excitement and stability.

Love Today Four years in, they say there was never really a “honeymoon phase.” They were comfortable from the beginning. Real from the beginning.

“We’ve combined our lives in so many ways,” they reflect. “But how we love hasn’t changed.”

They see each other in pajamas. In bonnets. In silence. In everyday life.

And even with that familiarity, they’re still struck by each other the same way they were on day one.

“David is my calm in the storm. He’s never judged me for my emotions. He listens to understand. He loves past the hurt to see my heart.” She adds with a smile, “And anyone who can deal with me every day is a strong man.”

Where It Begins…

Redefining Partnership

But what sustains them is intention, honesty, emotional safety, and the daily decision to choose each other — again and again.

To them, partnership means never standing alone. “We are not mirrors

“Where it begins is a great determinant of what is to come — setting the tone for everything we build, share, and experience together.” For David and Monica, it began with a swipe.

WHERE IT BEGINS 27

6 Tips for Keeping Romance Alive

By Kris Fuller

K

eeping romance alive can be simple and fun! When I talk with couples about their romance

slipping away, I like to review some of the simple things that can bring it back. Daily care, small actions of love, these are the heart of the romance.

Sometimes we let the stress of ‘grand gestures’ overwhelm us. Keep it simple with these six tips:

1. Take turns planning dates. This way one partner isn’t doing all the planning and organizing. It’s nice to have someone take care of all the decisions and details!

2. Show your appreciation every day. Ask yourself: ‘What

can I do to celebrate my partner today?’ Those little words, compliments, kindness- they can go a long way. Smile when you see your partner! Every day share your beautiful smile with them.

3. Surprise your partner. Small surprises can impact your daythis can be a note in a lunch, a video text or sweet voice message. Something small, but that you don’t often do. It shows that you care, and it will make your partner smile.

4. Plan a ‘Just Us’ time. Choose a night of the week and commit to it. Even if it’s a night in, spend it together on the couch- talk about why you love each other and celebrate the relationship you have. Remember what sparked your love! Talk about your memories and good times.

5. Mix things up. Routines are par for the course in a long-term

relationship. Try a new restaurant, take a class together, do an activity you haven’t tried before. Check out ‘Things to Do’ in your local area and just go for it! Even if something is not as you expected, it could end up be a fond memory and that’s what life is built on.

6. 60 second hugs! I love these so much. Just silently hug for 60

seconds and notice how good it feels. Your bodies connect and you feel that love and safety in your connection. As the hug goes on, you allow yourself to ‘just breath’ BUT doing this with your partner can be so effective. And it only takes ONE MINUTE.

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5 WAYS TO

Love Yourself While In A Relationship

3. See what Others See in You When you describe a best friend, how easy is it to go on and on about how wonderful they are? Or talking about how amazing your partner is. Imagine if you could do that for yourself! That is key. Hold on to compliments, believe the beautiful things others say about you. You mean the world to your people in your circle. Embrace it and believe it. I

4. Allow Yourself to Be Human.

1. You Own Your Happiness Only you can do that! Your partner can enhance the happiness that you nurture in yourself, but it is not their job to make you happy. If you rely on them for happiness it becomes a burden. Make sure you take the responsibility yourself. It starts with adopting a mindset that happiness is a choice, meaning you give yourself the power to create happiness for yourself. I The only person you can change is you. Let gratitude enter your heart and mind and choose happiness now.

2. Independence is important Keep your own activities and your own friends. Spend a healthy time apart doing your own thing. It’s unhealthy to let your relationship absorb your identity - you both matter as individuals and a little space is great.

We all have our flaws. Some things can be ignored; others might be something you want to work on. Either way, don’t let it get you down or get in the way of self-love. Recognizing flaws is a natural part of a relationship; it doesn’t mean you are a terrible person or that you are unlovable, it just means that you are human.

5.Love is an Action Decide to act in a self-loving way. Make time to nurture yourself and fulfill your own needs. Make sure you are getting time for you every day. This can be simple activities, like morning meditation, going the yoga, reading or enjoying a cup of coffee. Be mindful about it- if you let these moments or activities slip away without recognizing ‘this is for me and I am important’, then the benefits will add up.

Hugs from Kris Fuller, B.Ed., B.MM Kris Fuller is the founder and CEO of

Your Life Sparkles.

Her background is in Metaphysical Ministry (University of Sedona), Mindfulness (Palouse Centre for Mindfulness) and Education (University of Alberta).

You can follow her blog at www.yourlifesparkles.com Follow Your Life Sparkles on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. @yourlifesparkles #yourlifesparkles

WHERE IT BEGINS 29

V

alentine’s Day isn’t just about roses and reservations. It’s about slowing down long enough to feel something.

And sometimes, the best way to do that is through a good love story — whether it’s on the screen or between the pages.

Here are a few movies to add to your Valentine’s watch list — plus the perfect book to pair with each one.

LOVE ON THE SCREEN

Valentine’s Day Movies & The Perfect Book Pairings By: Cece Love Jones For Poetic, Grown Love If you know, you know.

Love Jones is layered, artistic, and emotionally mature. Nina and Darius show us that love requires vulnerability — and timing.

What it teaches us: Love requires emotional growth. Pride can delay destiny.

Sometimes love deserves a second chance — when both people are ready.

Book Pairing: Seven Days in June by Tia Williams This novel mirrors that same deep, intellectual, emotionally complex love. It’s about writers, past chemistry, second chances, and confronting old wounds. Grown. Sexy. Intentional.

Perfect for: Wine, dim lighting, and real conversations.

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The Notebook For Timeless Romance No matter how many times we see it, it still hits.

Through time, class differences, and life’s trials, Noah’s love for Allie remains steady.

What it teaches us: Real love fights. It waits. It forgives. And it remembers.

Book Pairing: The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks (or The Wedding, the sequel) If you loved the movie, the book allows you to sit longer in their emotions. For a similar timeless vibe, you could also read The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo for that enduring, soul-connection type love.

Perfect for: Couples who believe in forever.

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PROMOTING NETWORK

Brown Sugar For the Friends-to-Lovers Vibe Some of the best love stories start with friendship.

Sidney and Dre show us that sometimes love isn’t about searching — it’s about recognizing what’s already been there.

What it teaches us: Friendship is one of the strongest foundations love can have.

Book Pairing: Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan This one is powerful — it explores friendship, marriage, separation, and the possibility of rebuilding love. It’s emotional and real, just like Brown Sugar’s grown energy.

Perfect for: Couples who started as friends — or want to rebuild their foundation.

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Love & Basketball For Growing Together Monica and Quincy’s story spans childhood to adulthood. It’s about ambition, pride, and learning how to love without competition.

What it teaches us: Love isn’t about shrinking yourself. It’s about finding someone who respects your grind.

Book Pairing: Reel by Kennedy Ryan While centered around film, not sports, it carries that same ambitious-love energy — two driven individuals navigating passion and partnership.

You could also pair this with a sports romance for a fun twist.

Perfect for: Power couples and dream chasers.

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Valentine’s Day For Light & Fun Love Sometimes, we just need something sweet.

This film reminds us that love shows up in many forms — young love, complicated love, unexpected love.

What it teaches us: Love doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful.

📚 Book Pairing: The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood Fun, flirty, charming. Or for a Black romance option, The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon — smart, modern, and feelgood.

Perfect for: Girls’ night or a cozy solo read.

The Photograph For Soft, Mature Love This film is quiet, intentional, and emotionally safe. It’s about understanding the past to move fully into the present.

What it teaches us: Healing makes room for healthy love.

Book Pairing: An American Marriage by Tayari Jones This one is deeper and more complex, exploring marriage, distance, loyalty, and emotional endurance. For a softer option, The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory offers mature, intentional dating vibes.

Perfect for: Readers who love thoughtful, layered relationships.

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Final Thoughts:

Your Love Story Is Still Being Written What I love about pairing movies with books is that it reminds us — love doesn’t look one way.

Some stories are intense.

Some are soft.

Some take years to unfold.

Some show up when you least expect them.

This Valentine’s Day, whether you’re cuddled on the couch or wrapped in a blanket with a book, let yourself enjoy the beauty of a good love story.

And remember — the most important love story is the one you're building in real life.

With love,

WHERE IT BEGINS 31

Shuronda & Donavan Where It Begins: Anchored in Faith, Strengthened by Love

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PROMOTING NETWORK

O

n a hot summer day in College Park, Georgia, in 2011, what felt like a classic “boy meets girl” moment turned into something undeniable.

The attraction was instant. The connection felt natural. Familiar.

Almost divinely aligned.

From the beginning, there was a sense that this wasn’t random — it was purposeful.

Their marriage isn’t just about them. It’s about family. Future. Foundation.

What Love Looks Like Today If you ask them what love looks like now compared to when they first got married, the answer is simple: Sacrifice.

It’s listening to understand — not just to respond.

It’s giving space and grace.

It’s rooting for each other wholeheartedly.

“Our love has become solid,” they explain.

“Anchored. Mature. Protected.”

And above all, covered in prayer.

First Impressions For Shuronda, what stood out wasn’t just charm or charisma. “What caught my attention,” she shares, “was his undeniable relationship with God.” For Donavan, the impression was equally heartfelt.

“She reminded me of my grandmother — loving, nurturing, and genuine.”

That foundation of faith and authenticity would later become the bedrock of their marriage.

Knowing It Was Forever For Shuronda, the realization wasn’t loud — it was steady.

“I felt it in my heart. It was meant to be.

We fit together like the perfect puzzle.

He made me feel safe, covered, and protected. He’s always held me to a high standard and guarded my heart.”

For Donavan, certainty grew over time.

“After about a year of dating, I knew. She looked out for me and made me feel like I mattered — like I was somebody. She challenged me, pushed me, and made me want to be a better man.”

Love didn’t just make them comfortable.

It made them grow.

Twelve Years Later: What’s Changed After more than a decade together, communication has been their greatest transformation.

“We’re more patient now. More intentional. More thoughtful with our words,” they share.

They’ve learned that timing matters.

Respect must be mutual. And every space they enter, they represent not just themselves — but each other.

Most importantly, they’re conscious of the legacy they’re building for their son.

They intentionally pray over their marriage daily, keeping God at the center of every decision.

The Rule They Live By “Keep God first. Always.”

love languages and intentionally create time for connection.

They laugh often. Cook together. Travel together. Compliments. Kind words.

Affection. “Those things never go out of style.”

That rule isn’t symbolic — it’s active.

Faith guides their communication, their parenting, their goals, and the way they love each other.

What Partnership Means

Keeping Communication Strong

Loyalty.

Teamwork.

Honesty is non-negotiable — especially when it’s uncomfortable.

“We don’t shy away from tough conversations,” they say. “We create a safe space for each other.”

Prayer isn’t just personal — it’s shared.

They invite God into every plan, every challenge, every victory.

Romance After 12 Years A decade in, the spark is still alive.

They stay spontaneous. They prioritize date nights. They understand each other’s

Two individuals learning how to grow together. They recognize each other’s strengths and weaknesses. They make decisions as one. They remain each other’s biggest supporters.

“Our bond is unbreakable.”

A Love Note When asked what they would say to each other at this very moment, their answers are playful — yet tender.

Shuronda smiles: “If I could put you in my back pocket, I’d take you everywhere I go.”

Donavan grins: “I can’t wait to take your fine self on a walk along the beach.”

Even after twelve years, there is still flirtation. Still desire. Still joy.

Where It Begins…

“Where it begins… it begins with the unconditional love that God has placed over our marriage.” For Shuronda and Donavan, love didn’t just begin in College Park on a summer day.

It began in faith.

It grew in patience.

It matured in sacrifice.

And it continues — daily — through prayer, partnership, and purpose.

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