The story that led up to the words "I Do!"
The Meetup
Roz and Juanyta arrived separately at Chef Point Restaurant on January 20, 2018. Both were there to attend a Meetup dinner event, a group event. Neither was prepared for magic.
Both women talked easily with everyone in the group. But somehow, they kept returning to each other and resuming an easy, one-on-one conversation. They exchanged details such as their hometowns, colleges, careers, hobbies, and so on. It was like a first date, without the anxiety. When Juanyta suggested the group go dancing afterward at a club downtown Fort Worth, she was pleased that Roz agreed to go, too.
They thought of each other, as they drove downtown. As fate would have it, they parked right across from each other, allowing them a chance to chat again before they joined the others.
The club was fun. It was filled with laughter and dancing, but a couple was born when the group landed at a third nightspot. Roz and Juanyta fell into a genuine, natural conversation, the kind of rare, intimate exchange that lasts for hours. It was real. It was authentic. It was a life-changer. They laughed, they were serious, they connected. And they silently asked themselves, “Is this really happening? To me?”
The night ended with a “church” hug and a feeling as if they had known each other for years.
The Struggle
After that evening, their bond grew stronger, and even stronger over time. Roz and Juanyta grew to love and cherish one another. Vulnerabilities were revealed, growth was mandated, and challenges were accepted. They knew their road would be hard, yet they were determined to persevere and lean on the love they had for each other.
As their relationship deepened, both devout women wondered: Did God approve of their relationship? They knew God loved them. But they also knew that society and many churches might condemn them. They wrestled with this paradox, which hung over them like a dark cloud.
The Fast
After that evening, their bond grew stronger, and even stronger over time. Roz and Juanyta grew to love and cherish one another. Vulnerabilities were revealed, growth was mandated, and challenges were accepted. They knew their road would be hard, yet they were determined to persevere and lean on the love they had for each other.
As their relationship deepened, both devout women wondered: Did God approve of their relationship? They knew God loved them. But they also knew that society and many churches might condemn them. They wrestled with this paradox, which hung over them like a dark cloud.
The Proposal
Once God gave the-go ahead, there was no need to wait. Juanyta selected an engagement ring for Roz and prepared to ask her to be her forever love.
On Sunday, October 6, the two women dined at Eddie V’s restaurant in Fort Worth. The hostess guided them to their seats and the waiter took their drinks. Patrons were friendly and smiled as they walked past their table. A special, "off the menu" vegan meal was prepared in advance for Roz, and Juanyta ordered the redfish and crab-fried rice.
Before their entrees arrived, Juanyta presented Roz with several small, circle-cut, hand-written cards. Each one featured a “phrase of randomness” – unique characteristics Juanyta loved about Roz such as her ever-changing hair, her timely jokes, her smile, her laugh, and her genuine love for Juanyta. After Roz read the cards, Juanyta explained that she would have missed all of this if God had willed it that she and Roz go their separate ways.
She said, "Roz, I know we've had our good times and we've had our bad times. But during our fast, I was able to fully understand my love for you. What I wrote in those cards were things I would have to give up if God said `No.’ I know I revealed most of what God revealed to me during our fast but there was one thing I didn't tell you. He gave me His blessing."
Then Juanyta bent down on one elegant knee and asked Roz to be her forever love and marry her. Roz was in total disbelief but with tears in her eyes, she said yes with no hesitation. Unbeknownst to many, Roz is a closeted hopeless romantic. Love stories are near and dear to her heart, but this time the story was about her. She had no clue that this night would start their journey of building a life together. To Roz’s joy, her fiancée revealed that her sons, Jayden and Jordan, had given their blessings as well.
About a minute later, their waiter asked the two women to follow him--down a trail of rose petals to a private room with light music playing and rose petals strewn on a table. He congratulated the newly engaged couple, inviting them to savor their joy in private, as long as they wanted. The pair were presented with a pair of flutes for a romantic Champagne toast, a special flambee dessert, and warm congratulations from the chef and restaurant manager. They rejoiced with Roz and Juanyta on this enchanted evening.
The Wedding
Date: October 25, 2020
Time: 2:00p - 7:00p
Venue:
Aristide | Flower Mound
2701 Corporate Cir, Flower Mound, TX, 75028
A one minute highlight of our beautiful, precious wedding day!
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