We really don't know exactly how we met. One thing we know for sure is that we met in 1992 at our beloved North Carolina Central University. Because we were both English majors, we assume that we met at a study group organized by our mutual friend, Tony. Sadly, Tony passed away many years ago so he can't verify that for us.

Britt's version: I remember Dana having a pretty smile, a beautiful bob hairstyle, and being very friendly to anyone she met. We were great friends. I always liked Dana, but she “ghosted” me.

Dana's version: My most vivid memory is hearing about a freshman English major who was widely celebrated on campus for writing an article that was published in the Washington Post. I didn't know this person was Britt until four years later. Britt was and continues to be a genuinely kind and friendly person who is always willing to help someone in need. We were great friends. I was fond of Britt, but I was graduating, and my focus was on moving to Maryland to go to graduate school. That's how it went, me in Maryland (Britt's hometown) and Britt in North Carolina (my hometown).

Fast forward about 18 years. We did not see or speak to each other at all during this time until one day Britt called me at the school where I worked at the time (Mrs. Mobley knew where I worked). I called him back and we filled each other in on our lives over the years. Of course, Britt reminded me that I “ghosted” him. I apologized and we easily re-established our friendship. Over the next several years, we focused on our children and supported each other as friends do. During this time, Britt often vacationed in the mountains alone. After returning one weekend, he informed me, to his shock and mine, that God told him we were to be together and that he was the only one who could love me the way I needed to be loved. If you know me, then you can see my face right now. I was thinking, “oh really…is that right?” Actually, we both were in denial about this “mountain top revelation.”

If you know Britt, you know he is patient, persistent, consistent, and intentional. He often likens waiting on me to that of reeling in a fish…slowly and deliberately. Over time, I let down my guard, overcame my fears, and allowed myself to see and truly believe that Britt is “my person.”