An Intimate Proposal At Black Owned Brown Estate Winery | NaturalHairBride
Anscia’s Story:
If you ask each of us about how we met — well we’ve managed to have two stories. Although many people would think we met at St. John’s University, we actually met at Calvary Baptist Church. I was a bit shy freshman year and didn’t speak much. So let’s fast forward to sophomore year when I wasn’t as shy. We had some mutual friends that hung out occasionally and I was invited to hang out. What started off as a conversation about my phone screensaver, turned into a conversation about how Xavier needed my number so he could coordinate a camping trip in Mexico (that hasn’t happened to this day). Over time, we hung out as friends and our friendship flourished while we continued to strengthen our faith in God every Sunday at Calvary. We realized that we had a lot in common (i.e. stepping, poetry and social justice). Finally, on February 1, 2014, he told me (yes, you heard me right–he told me) that I was his girlfriend. I still believe we didn’t start dating until February 3rd but that’s another story. Since then we have traveled to Philadelphia, Savannah, Atlanta, New Orleans and Portland together. We organized a lot of amazing events and had a huge impact at St. John’s through the organizations we headed. Although, the beginning of our stories vary, I am grateful for the journey thus far with this amazing guy. Now let’s hear his side of the story.
Xavier’s Story:
So now that you’ve heard her side of the story, I’m going to tell you what really happened. Technically, we met at Calvary Baptist Church, but we didn’t get to know each other until a year later. The church had a shuttle that picked up St. John’s students every Sunday. One Sunday, I said hello to everyone getting on the shuttle, but she ignored me. I thought she was rude and we never said a word to each other afterwards. One year later, we met once again through mutual friends and she denied ever ignoring me. During a social event, I was talking to her and I saw her phone screensaver which was a picture of her standing next to Michelle Obama. Immediately enthused, I asked her about the picture and she told me she used to intern for her. Although I already knew she was intelligent, that made me think there was a lot more to her than I had observed. Somehow I swindled my way into getting her phone number and we grew close as friends. Over time, we learned that we had the same musical interests and we both knew how to step. Sometimes she would step and I would recite poetry to her beats. By Thanksgiving we had become close friends and she invited me to her house for the holiday. I mean where was this poor little California boy supposed to go when he was in New York by himself. So thankfully, she was oh so kind as to invite me to meet her family and enjoy tons of delicious food. Meeting her family really gave me the chance to understand her on a deeper level and we gradually grew feelings for each other. Plus, I had already told her grandmother that I was her grandson (even though I was still the friend). Over winter break, I went home to Los Angeles and she was in Washington D.C. We knew we liked each other but we weren’t ready to make anything official. Yet, I called her every night during that break just to hear her voice and share how our days went. We could tell there was something special happening between us and right before we came back to New York for the Spring Semester, God told me she was going to be my wife. Though I didn’t want to be in a serious relationship, I listened to Him and on February 1, 2014 I told her she was my girlfriend. Yes, I told her. Actually, we went to a party together and when she was in another room, everyone asked me if she was my girlfriend and I told them yes. Then when we left the party I told her, “You know you’re my girlfriend right.” She didn’t believe me and two days later she asked me if she was really my girlfriend and I said, “Yes—you’ve been my girlfriend for two days now.” And the rest is history.
Following the tasting, we walked the grounds again to take some photos. Sean then met us outside so he could take a photo of us beside the Brown Estate sign. It was a little cold that day, but we both had on our winter coats on. Nevertheless, Xavier was shaking from nervousness the whole time and pretending like he was shivering. We walked back inside the tasting room and then entered the wine cave. Right before we entered, Sean dimmed the lights in the cave suggesting that it would help with photos. As we walked down the cave and reached a turning point, Anscia looked to the left and said “This would be the perfect place for someone to propose to somebody.” Then she turned to her right and saw Xavier on his knee next to a “Will you marry me?” sign. Xavier was still shaking and Anscia was in shock repeating, “Yes,” and “Are you serious?” over and over again. It was in this intimate moment that we started our new journey as the future Bucks.
