Written and Photography by Artistic Elegance Photography

LaTonya grew up on the bustling south side of Chicago in a big, boisterous family. As a child, she loved nothing more than making her siblings laugh with her wild stories. She dreamed of becoming a professional storyteller and sharing her love of laughter with the world.

Roderick, on the other hand, was a creative go-getter from the west side of Chicago. He had a true gift for fiction and a boundless imagination that he poured into his writing. But he was restless, always searching for new inspiration and adventure.

One fateful day, LaTonya and Roderick's paths crossed in a History of Black Music class at Columbia College. As Roderick wrestled with a TV cart, trying to push it out of the room, LaTonya came to his aid. Afterward, they went to lunch and talked for hours, losing track of time as they shared their dreams and passions. From that day forward, they were inseparable. Spending every moment together, they were in love.

But life had other plans for them. As their whirlwind romance came to an end, they went their separate ways. LaTonya moved to Los Angeles to pursue her passion of becoming a Hollywood writer, while Roderick moved to New York to try his hand at advertising, then decided to travel the world.

Years passed and LaTonya found herself wondering, "Whatever happened to Roderick?" Her curiosity sent her on a journey. She searched for him online, but to no avail. Then, she had an idea. Most people use their first and last name as their email address, so she did just that and sent him an email. Three days later, he responded, and they picked up right where they left off, as if no time had passed.

After endless phone calls and multiple visits, they decided they wanted to be together and Roderick joined his great love in Los Angeles.

On a warm June evening, Roderick surprised LaTonya with a sunset boat ride in Newport Beach. The boat bobbed gently on the waves, rocking them back and forth as they listened to the smooth soulful sounds of Otis Redding.

As the sun dropped slowly below the horizon, Roderick leaned over and whispered, "This is just like the end of a movie…but the beginning of ours." LaTonya felt her heart leap in her chest as he asked her to spend the rest of their lives together. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she said YES!!!

And so, LaTonya and Roderick's love story begins anew, a tale of two people who refuse to let anything stand in their way. They know that, no matter what obstacles lie ahead, they will face them together, with laughter, love, and an unbreakable bond.