From a New Orleans dinner to a New York proposal

How It Started

Every love story has a beginning, and ours started long before either of us realized it was becoming one. We had known each other throughout our adult lives as acquaintances—crossing paths at events, always friendly, always cordial, and always walking through different seasons of life.

Years later, life brought us back into each other’s presence when Jalayna’s business travels brought her to New Orleans, where Tommy was living and enjoying life. What began as a friendly dinner quickly turned into a mutual interest we could not ignore. The conversation was easy, the laughter was natural, and one dinner somehow became endless calls, texts, and reasons to see each other again. Tommy would later admit that he had a crush on Jalayna when he first saw her years ago, but he did not think he would have a chance.

Falling in Love

Jalayna’s view:

I had reached a point where I was focused on peace, purpose, and enjoying my life—being unbothered. Then Tommy showed up being consistent, thoughtful, SORTA funny, and very hard to forget. He was doing all the right things.  I kept waiting for the usual dating foolishness, but he remained steady and intentional.  He really did his big one when he bribed me with NOLA Saints tickets.  It worked.  

I could not believe how naturally everything unfolded. He checked boxes I don’t even remember praying for. God kept his promise of giving me the desires of my heart. (Psalms 37:4) I knew Tommy was special and my feelings were strong, but I had one rule: I was not saying the L word first—and didn’t. After a while, HE couldn’t fight the feeling anymore and ended up calling me one morning about 3:30am to tell me he loved me.  I didn’t want to leave him hanging so….. ?

Tommy’s View: 

What started as meeting a friend who was in town for business slowly turned into, “Is this a date” because it felt like one. The more time I spent with Jalayna, the more I realized she was not only beautiful, but smart, loving, funny, and genuinely my favorite person to be around.

We both had in the back of our minds that our relationship was the real thing - the “L” word early on. She actually said, out of the blue, I will not be the first to say “ I Love You” which essentially was admitting she did - but ok :-). Given this, being the gentlemen that I am I said it first just to let her off the hook. Regardless of who said what/when - I felt it very early on. 

As our relationship grew, I became more certain that she was the one. The road was not always smooth, but we kept choosing each other, growing, praying together, and realizing how well we fit together.  She brought joy, peace, and a level of honesty that made everything feel real.

The Proposal

Then came the moment that changed everything: the proposal. Tommy surprised Jalayna with a trip to New York under the guise of seeing the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Plaza. Jalayna had no idea he had been searching for the ring or that he had called each of the siblings a week before to share his plans. She was simply excited about Christmas lights, city views, and being in New York during Christmastime. Little did she know the big surprise that was awaiting.

When we finally made it to the tree, Jalayna was trying to take selfies before we were asked to keep it moving so others could take pictures. In the middle of all that, Tommy asked her why she loved him. Jalayna remembers thinking, “Bro, we are on a time limit,” but instead answered, “Because you are everything I prayed for.” And at that moment, Tommy dropped to one knee and proposed.

Jalayna was completely shocked and together we found ourselves in the middle of a joyful and unforgettable moment. People formed a circle around us and started chanting, “She said yes!”—which was helpful, because she was still processing the fact that a casual Christmas tree outing had just turned into a full engagement production. It was joyful, emotional, hilarious, and absolutely unforgettable. Here is the truth: when Tommy got on one knee, Jalayna said “No” at first because she was thinking out loud, trying to say “No way, I can’t believe it,” but only “No” came out. She quickly changed it to YES!

With that yes, we stepped into our next chapter—excited, grateful, and blessed to be on the path God has ordered for us. We cannot wait to celebrate with the people who have loved us, supported us, prayed for us, and cheered us on along the way.

“A cord of three strands is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12