The Origin Story
God first loved us, we loved ourselves, and now we get to love one another. We are 2 Melanated image bearers learning to navigate this thing called LOVE (#TheMelaLovas). Read below to learn how our love story began and continues to blossom.
MOYO’S VERSION
The long story short: It was always Liam.
Short story long:
Liam and I met for the first time on our first date. Yes, our first date was a blind date and OBVIOUSLY, I liked what I saw😌😉
In November 2023, a month after I poured my heart out to God about previous heartbreaks, I received a phone call one Thursday evening from a great friend of mine, OJ Akintan. He asked me how I was doing, and specifically asked if I was in a relationship. I responded “I am as single as a dollar bill, but ready to mingle.” Unbeknownst to me, OJ was working as a matchmaker.
OJ told me about a guy he met through physical therapy in past few weeks. In his words “I think you guys will hit it off well.” I asked OJ some questions about this “guy” and informed him to ask this guy 3 questions. Based on his responses, I would decide whether OJ could share my phone number.
The next day, OJ called me and provided his responses. Needless to say, I was delighted to hear his responses, and I permitted sharing my number. The next day, Saturday, I received a text from an unknown number introducing himself as Liam and asking to meet-up that same day. That was very attractive to me; “a man who knew what he wanted,” I thought. Unfortunately, I had a Friendsgiving that evening, so we could not meet.
We agreed to meet on a blind date the next day, Sunday November 19. To make a point, I wore a dress with the writing “Handle with care” on it. On my way there I prayed “Lord, let me know if it’s him by how safe I feel.” That date was one of the most safe and comfortable dates I had ever been on. We sat next to each other and talked for 3 hours!!! Liam made me feel seen, safe, and secure. By the end of the date, we agreed to give a relationship a try.
After meeting each other’s family and friends, Liam and I learned that our lives were always intertwined without our knowledge. We were meant to be in each other’s lives. On December 6, 2025, Liam proposed to me surrounded by family and friends on a rooftop in downtown Silver Spring. Through tears, I nodded and said “Mmhhmm.”
I am blessed to be able to see my answered prayer in flesh and excited to share and spend the rest of my life with him! 🧡
LIAM’S VERSION
I first met Moyo on a blind date after being convinced by one of my physical therapy (PT) patients, Mr. OJ Akintan, that he knew one of his friends that I would get along quite well with. Initially, I was nonplussed, but the more Mr. Akintan spoke about her, the more my interest grew.
After several PT sessions and more discussions about this woman, I asked him to show me a picture of her. As soon as I saw her profile on Instagram (IG), I commented, “She’s cute.” I asked Mr. Akintan if she would be interested in me, and to my surprise, he responded that he had already shared some of my information with her and that she was also interested.
After I investigated her IG profile and LinkedIn, I asked him if he would exchange our contact information; thankfully, he did. That was a Friday, and the next day I texted her, asking if I could call her. I briefly introduced myself on the phone call and immediately asked if she was available for a date that evening; however, she informed me that she would be with her friends, and I asked about her plans after spending time with her friends. Unfortunately, she said she would not be available that evening, but she would be available the following day, Sunday.
The next day, I followed up with Moyo and asked her on a date for that evening, to which she agreed. To maintain an air of mystery, I purposely limited the information about the date, only telling her it would be at 7 PM, and that more information would follow when the time grew closer.
I arrived at Papi Cuisine (now Proper Cuisine) in Baltimore, and she was late. She called to apologize for her tardiness, and I responded by telling her to drive safely and where she could safely park while I waited for her.
I stood outside the restaurant, watched her approach, and greeted her. Her facial expression revealed to me that she did not know who was speaking to her. She then offered a handshake, to which I politely declined, and gave her a hug instead.
I let her into the restaurant, we were led to our table, and I suggested that we sit next to each other (so it wouldn’t feel like an interrogation). We spent three hours together, and it was blissful. After the date, I walked her to her car and wished her a safe ride home and a good evening.
When I got home, I sat in my chair in silence for about an hour. All I could think of was that she was refreshing. Since that day, we have spoken to each other every day, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
The Proposal
And the rest is history
