Where it all began... They say a picture is worth a thousand words and this one speaks volumes. This was taken about 2 hours after we met. The connection between us was instant and although we lived almost 1000 miles away from each other we knew that we wanted to be with each other and were inseparable from that point on. Our journey started in Atlanta- Eddie’s hometown where I (Ykyttra) was in town celebrating my birthday with very close friends who happen to be family of his. It was supposed to be just a casual, relaxing weekend but little did I know that I was about to meet the love of my life.. Eddie is well-known in Atlanta and knows all of the best places to go so on our way out that night, we stopped by to pick him up so that he could take us to some of the best places in town to celebrate! We went bowling, to the arcade, and out to breakfast the morning of my birthday- all his treat. I had never been treated so well by anyone in my life- especially not a stranger. So when he asked me if he could come to Boston sometime to see me, I said yes, but because of my past experiences, there was no expectation that he would actually come through. But come through he did! When I arrived back in Boston roses and chocolates were waiting at my door and one week later he was in Boston… it was time for our official first date.

One thing is for sure, Eddie is a man of his word.... Our first date was two weeks after we met and we went to see Jill Scott- In Boston! But before that, after I left Atlanta, we talked to each other on FaceTime every day. Some nights we would listen to music together until we fell asleep and Will Downing's "Falling In Love" quickly became our anthem. When Eddie came to Boston, I was so surprised that he actually came. It was such an amazing week enjoying the city and each other. Neither of us had been in relationships before where we truly felt valued and it felt amazing to be with someone who saw you for who you truly were and appreciated all of the little things about you. This was truly the beginning of something beautiful. By the end of our week together he told me he would marry me and I didn't take him seriously. After all, we had just met. I guess when you know, you just know... And I did tell you that he was a man of his word right?

A couple of weeks after my first date with Eddie, I was back in Atlanta but this time it was to meet his family and very close friends. One of the most important people I met on this trip was his dad. He was ill at the time and little did I know that this would be the last time I would get to see him. He was a very special man and played such an important role in who Eddie turned out to be and I am so glad I had the chance to meet him. I also got to spend more time with his daughter, Areyon. The time spent with her that week kicked off what would become a very special relationship between us. What else can I say about this trip other than it was absolutely amazing! Eddie planned a rooftop dinner with me and his closest friends so that we could get to know one another and it was an instant connection. We all chatted like we were old friends and laughed the night away. Eddie loved and doted over me the entire time and throughout our relationship, I would come to know that this was just not him putting on heirs to impress me, this was just the way he was. You see when you have been treated less than you deserve for so long, it can sometimes feel foreign or "unbelievable" when someone gives you all of the love, support, and attention that you deserve. I didn't want to believe it but I knew then that I had fallen for him and although I had never been in a long-distance relationship before, I was determined that we would do whatever it took to make it work..... FaceTime and frequent flights...here we come.....

On this day, a giant was lost. Although I only had the privilege of meeting him once, his legacy and the lessons that he instilled in his children are evident and live on. Eddie's gift of being able to build almost anything with his hands was passed down from his father. He was married to Eddie's mother for over 60 years and showed him daily what it looked like to love a woman and to take care of his family and he shows me that kind of love daily.. Thank you Mr. Holloman for raising such a good man. Although you are no longer present with us, your memory will live on in our hearts forever.

Meet Eddie III- When Eddie's father passed away, I wanted a way to commemorate his memory with something of meaning. So I had this bear made- dressed in his dad's signature overalls with a microchip placed inside of his dad singing "His Eye Is On The Sparrow". This way, anytime he feels like hearing his voice, he's always near by.

This was a pretty big day for us. Eddie's father had just passed away and he needed some time to regroup so we planned for him to come and spend some time in Boston. This also happened to be my youngest son, Jordan's birthday weekend and the first time Eddie met my kids in person. I had been divorced for almost 10 years and it was important to me over the years not to introduce my kids to everyone who showed interest. I told you that everything about this relationship has been intentional so although he had not met the kids in person, he made a point always to interact with them during our calls so a relationship was forming and the connection was instant. Eddie wanted to do something special for Jordan, so we planned a trip with family and friends to Six Flags.. My kids and I have been through a lot, so finding someone willing to love not just me, but all that is connected to me is amazing.

It's Eddie's Birthday, and what better way to celebrate than by having a party for him in Boston? We decided that he would spend his birthday in Boston so that it would give him a chance to meet some of my friends and family. What he didn't know was that I had arranged for some of his closest friends and family to also be here for the celebration. I know how much family means to him, so I also had a video tribute made and presented it to him on his birthday to show him just how much we loved him. He was overwhelmed as he had never been celebrated in this way in a relationship. I love him and he deserved it. We celebrated him all weekend and it was a blast!

There is never a dull moment where Eddie is involved. He is an entrepreneur with his own contracting business so I have grown to understand that he needs to be available to work as the work presents itself. So my birthday was coming up, and work was busy for him so we decided that we would celebrate my birthday together later in the month. Well, on March 9th I heard my front door open and I assumed it was my niece and got the biggest surprise of my life. It was EDDIE! He had flown in to celebrate my birthday with me and that wasn't the only surprise. I had not one, but 2 birthday parties that weekend, surrounded by my family and friends. He had contacted them all and had everything in place before he arrived. It still brings tears to my eyes to have someone celebrate me in this way because it wasn't something that I was used to. He has been a consistent man of his word through this relationship and has shown me what real love looks like.

One of the queens in our lives, is his mother, Mrs. Johnnie Mae Holloman. On this day about 40 friends and family members surprised her on a cruise to celebrate her 80th birthday. It was amazing! She was so filled with joy. She had a chance to go putt-putt golfing, ride the merry-go-round, and even went zip-lining on the trip! This was our first real vacation together and I am so happy that we used that time to celebrate her.

It was time to celebrate Jordan's birthday again and Eddie decided that he would do a family vacation to Disney! This trip included his daughter Areyon and her boyfriend Omar. I chose this picture for this memory because I think it highlights who Eddie is as a man. He sacrificed for months to ensure that Jordan had an amazing birthday and that the rest of us also had an amazing time. He dotes on my kids like they are his own, what more could a single mom ask for?

This picture shows the bond that these two have with each other. This was the first time they had spent any significant time together but you would never know it because they were stuck together like glue. Jordan has always wanted a sister and he truly has gotten that in Ari.

My Girl- It has been a privilege for me to get to know this young lady over the past couple of years. Sometimes I forget that she's not my child. We have an amazing bond that just organically came together from the beginning.I am so grateful that she has allowed me to be a part of her life

This is Eddie working with my oldest son Jaelen. Eddie was adamant about building a relationship with him and showing him the value of work and being able to be a provider for his family. Jaelen has had a rough few years to say the least, so to see how he and Eddie's relationship just came together sometimes leaves me speechless. My boys were very much looking for a positive, male role model in their lives and Eddie had always desired to have a son.... Well... Match made in heaven.

Snow Hill, NC- this is where my family home is and where I spent most of my free time as a child. It is also the final resting place of my father. It's funny, because most people who meet Eddie, that knew my dad talk about how he reminds them of him. Having him there and watching him interact with my family as if he had been a part forever was something to see. This is Eddie...out enjoying the country with my cousin who was more like a brother to my dad.. and I loved watching every bit of it.

I can't remember exactly how it happened but back in August, Eddie and I collectively decided that we were getting married so we actively started making plans towards our wedding. There was no formal proposal at the time, but one thing that I have grown to know about Eddie is that if he says something, he's going to do it, no matter how long it takes. I didn't widely share with everyone that I knew we were getting married because honestly I didn't think everyone would understand and I know that to some that I mentioned it to thought I was crazy for planning a wedding without a ring. I wasn't crazy- I just knew my man and he didn't disappoint! On November 21st he arrived here in Boston for a visit for Thanksgiving and that night in front of my kids, grandchildren, his daughter (who was on the phone), and my niece, he got down on his knees and asked me to marry him "officially". My ring is absolutely beautiful and he had it custom-made to make sure no one else had the same ring as I did. I told you... Everything about this man is intentional including the way he loves me. I know some people believe in chance encounters, but I don't believe this is by chance at all. Our meeting was a God Encounter, we both had exactly what the other needed. We were destined to be together and we are so looking forward to spending the rest of our lives together. Here's to Happily Ever After or should I say Happily Ever Holloman :-).