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We first met in July 2018 at Hampton University's High School Band Camp (HUBC)
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I saw Dr. Jones' post about needing clinicians to come to HUBC, so I signed up to help the dancers. I had no idea what was in store. I was just happy to go back and help.
Trey was talking to Davaron, who I marched with, so I knew he must be cool. So we started talking, and he kept me laughing. It felt like I had already known him.
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I had just finished my first year as a band director, and that year I sent two students to HUBC to represent my band program. I was on Facebook and saw a video showing the first day of HUBC, and both of my students were showcased in that clip.
I remember pulling up to campus early that morning, and I saw a beautiful girl stretching in the corner. I asked my big brother Davaron if he knew who she was. Luckily, Keah and I had been Facebook friends for 8 years at this point!
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Keah's Side: Trey really surprised me because he was so direct. At the end of HUBC, he says, "I'm attracted to you and would like to take you out on a date." I wasn't used to anyone being so up-front. He asked me to the movies, and I like comedies, so I suggested "Tag." I was supposed to leave the next day, but my flights kept being canceled for the next 3 days, so we just kept getting to know each other.
Trey's Side: So, it depends on what you consider the first date:
Do you consider the failed attempt where Shallah invited himself to our lunch date? If not, then I guess you’re talking about how I did the 21st century version of “do you like me? Check yes or no,” where I DM’d Keah one of the cheesiest lines to date? I don’t think she knows this, but as soon as I sent it, I was like “woooooooow, so smooth Trey… Luckily it worked! So, after finding out she liked me, a proceeded to ask her to the movies.Fun fact, our first date took place at like 11:30 at night because I attended two of my closest friends’ wedding!
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Keah's Side: I came back to Hampton for regular band camp, but I needed to go home for Baby Doll Ladies Training Camp. If I flew back, I wouldn't be able to come back to band camp. Trey offered to road trip with me, which was super sweet, so I treated him to my favorite restaurant, Praline Connection, and showed him Frenchman Street for the first time.
On the way back to VA, in a McDonald's drive-thru, he asked to make it official.
Trey's Side: By this point, Keah and I had been talking for about a month, and she was back in VA helping out HU’s band (and she was also hired as my new dance coach). I remember one day I came home, and she was facing a little bit of a dilemma. She had to either find a way to New Orleans or fly home early, and Lord knew the next time I would see her…
So, being the impulsive Gemini I am, I called my dad to tell him I was taking off work to drive this girl I had just met halfway across the country. Having had the supportive father I had, he sent me money to service my car, and we took the 19-hour drive. After an amazing first trip to the Big Easy, meeting her amazing friends and family, and a round-trip car ride, what better place to make it official than a McDonald’s Drive Thru
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Keah's Side: Long distance can be challenging, but we made it fun. From cruises to trips to Rome, every time I saw Trey, it was an adventure.
Trey's Side: As you can imagine, me living in VA and Keah living in Louisiana at the time was a little bit of an obstacle, especially during the pandemic. Luckily, we have technology. Between endless FaceTime calls and multiple virtual movie nights, we made the best of our situation!
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Trey's Side: After about 2 years of being together, I knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Keah. The actual proposal couldn’t have worked out any better. I remember that year, I made sure to use my tax return on an engagement ring. After acquiring the ring, I sent a picture to my both of my sisters in law and the plan commenced:
Phase 1: Find away to get Keah out of the house so we could set a Zoom call to ask her family for their blessing.
Phase 2: Plan the actual proposal. Luckily my homeboy Jae and I were planning a group trip to Punta Cana. If it wasn’t for his help, I either would’ve messed up the proposal, or passed out from stress!Phase 3: the Actual Proposal. After a long day of excursions, I decided to splurge on the private romantic dinner. Of course I had to stream it to all of our close family and friends, so that they could be a part of this moment. Of course Murphy’s Law wanted to show out and the GoPro wasn’t cooperating, so one horrible, a poorly placed, not so hidden ipad camera, and a bumbling idiot saying something that resembled the English language, I had a fiancée!
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I thought he was gonna push me in the pool.