We Shirley Do!

Javette & Derrik's Marriage Celebration

It all started in 2000 with a few flirty messages on BlackPlanet.com, back when dial-up was still a thing! After two years of exchanging messages, late-night conversations until we feel asleep on the phone, and building a connection from over 150 miles away, we finally met face-to-face in 2003 in Norfolk, VA when Javette traveled to Old Dominion University to visit her twin sister, Javaren joined by some of her best friends to this day Nicole and Janell for a concert at the Ted Constant Convocation Center now known as Chartway Arena to see Lil Jon and the Eastside Boys, Ying Yang Twins and other artists light up the stage for an unforgettable night. But the night didn’t end there.

After the concert, Javette and Derrik headed to IHOP on Military Highway in Norfolk where they found themselves inexplicably drawn to each other. A playful exchange of laughter and shared smiles sparked an instant connection, a love at first sight that defied explanation. Their worlds transformed into a captivating moment and they knew their love story was just beginning.

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​​With over 150 miles between them, Javette in the DMV area and Derrik in the Tidewater area, you’d think distance would’ve slowed things down...NOPE! The Greyhound bus, our not-so-glamorous but totally dependable Cupid on wheels. We took turns making the trek, fueled by love (and maybe a few vending machine snacks). Life had us on different paths, but the gravitational pull between us was strong. Eventually, we hit a crossroad: let the miles win, or go all in and love each other with everything we had. Spoiler alert in 2021, we chose love, romance and commitment and we’ve been rolling with it ever since!

​Their love story reached a beautiful turning point on October 8, 2023, when Derrik popped the big question under soft, overcast skies on the rooftop of their building in Downtown Norfolk. With the city skyline as their backdrop and the clouds adding just the right amount of drama, he asked Javette to be his forever, and of course, she said yes!

​Life as a married couple has been nothing short of amazing. We've created new traditions, supported each other through challenges, turned ordinary moments into magic, and laughed until we cried over things no one else would understand. From mismatched socks and meal experiments to road trip playlists and inside jokes, our love has settled in like a favorite song... familiar, comforting, and always making us smile. Along the way, we’ve discovered that marriage isn’t just made of grand gestures or picture-perfect moments. It’s found in the everyday magic, the stolen kisses while cooking dinner, the way our hands find each other in the middle of the night, and the quiet, steady reassurance that we’re building a forever, side by side. If this is just the beginning, then what an incredible start to writing the rest of our love story.