Campaign Story

FROM THE FIRST NOTE TO FOREVER…

Our story begins at The Normandie Club in Los Angeles back in 2018. It was a cold December (for LA)…

Well, let’s back up a couple of weeks. It actually begins on a dating app called Coffee Meets Bagel. I guess I’m supposed to be the bagel.

Anyway, after losing interest in serious dating and recovering from “dating app fatigue” I decided to re-download the app a 3rd time and approach dating from a much more sane perspective. My only objective was to have FUN!

Steve, I’m kinda hogging this so far, anything to add? Nevermind he’s asleep.

Where was I? Oh, the app. So I decide it’s a great time to go “shopping.” That means scrolling through the app. LOL.

I happen upon a profile which looks quite intriguing. I saw a tall dirty blonde playing with his Pit Bull. He looked so happy and in the moment it was hard to not be taken in by the photo.

I mean, look at dat face!!! Am I right?!

So I decide to reach out.

Well, what do you know. Luckily, Steve being the smart and intelligent man that he is, accepted the offer from a random yet quite exquisite human. “If I do say so myself.”
Because I was recovering from “dating app fatigue” I decided I would no longer allow dates to be arranged without first vetting each person.

My vetting process was simple: Do you have conversational agility—quick wit, effortless back-and-forth, and the ability to keep the dialogue flowing like a perfect improv scene? Simple, right?

Well, the conversation was outstanding! I was totally having a great time and so was he. So we quickly moved off the app to IRL.

We meet for the very first time December 13, 2018 at 7pm at The Normandie Club. Before I arrived, I received a text saying look for the “creepy guy in the corner.”

I walked in and did in fact see a creepy guy sitting in the corner. It took me by surprise by his accuracy and self awareness. I laughed, taking a step in his direction thinking to myself, “Well at least he’s not a liar. ”

That night we had a blast. We talked entrepreneurship, healing trauma, dating in LA versus Austin.

We even noticed two separate friend groups—one all women and the other all men—standing side by side yet completely ignoring each other. We joked how we’d be the person to talk to the other group and get the party started. We contemplated jumping in and giving them a layup but we were so happy and content talking to each other we decided to stay put.

And then (because this is LA) a well known performer named Quincy Jones walked in. No not that Quincy Jones…the other Quincy Jones, a comedian who once appeared on Ellen.

He laughed and joked with us, then remarked (his words, not mine), “Why is it that white guys are always with the most beautiful Black women, while black men always end up with the ugliest white women?”

He then offered both Steve and I a slice of pizza. Steve politely accepted, while I declined—famous or not, I don’t take food from strangers. Steve, however, thoroughly enjoyed his slice, and little did we know, we’d soon discover that pizza is our all-time favorite food!

After his slice and a couple of drinks, we decided to ‘turn up’ and head to a karaoke bar around the block called Breakroom ’86.

If you haven’t been, you walk through a vending machine, which turns out to be a hidden passage way. Then you’re immediately ushered onto the dance floor. Steve and I cut some rug then immediately walked around exploring this great Korea-town hidden gem. We got lucky and found an empty private karaoke room. We sang a couple of songs and as I leaned over to grab a glass of water Steve leaned in for a kiss.

Steve might tell his version of the story a little different but he’s not here. You can always ask him at the wedding. But no matter what he says, HE KISSED ME FIRST.

We left the room and headed to the other side of the bar, played a few video games, danced some more, then took a break. We decided to steal a cassette tape off the wall and have been doing so every year. (Ssssshhhh, don’t tell anyone.)

So far we’ve collected 6 cassette tapes, one for each year of our relationship. (Oh and if you were born after the 90’s and don’t know what a cassette tape is…please Google it.)

Every year, we celebrate our anniversary at The Normandie Club, marking each year together by adding a new line to a special brick at the bar. But this year was unforgettable: Steve proposed. I was completely surprised—utterly confused and overwhelmed in the best possible way. Steve, of course, loved every minute of it. (Just look at that grin.)

From our meet-cute to building a life full of dreams, healing, and music—we’ve come so far together. We’ve held each other through breakdowns and breakthroughs, written songs from our scars, and turned pain into purpose.

This love wasn’t rushed. It was earned—layer by layer, lesson by lesson. And now, with full hearts and open hands, we’re stepping into forever. And for us, forever means family and family means the world to us.

In this next chapter of our lives, we’ve been working hard to grow our family—but so far, the baby-making department hasn’t exactly been cooperating. We’ve been on the IVF rollercoaster (not the fun kind with cotton candy at the end), and let’s just say… our insurance company has not been the most supportive teammate. We’ve faced more than a few roadblocks, both emotional and financial, which is why we’re reaching out for a little help. If you feel called to support us—whether through a donation, sharing our story, or simply sending good vibes—please know it means the world to us. Thank you for being part of our village. We couldn’t do this without you. 💛

Family means everything to us—not just because we want to raise children, but because we’ve spent years doing the deep work of healing, growing, and becoming the kind of people we want to be in order to raise intelligent, moral, and emotionally strong humans. Through therapy, introspection, hard conversations, and shared breakthroughs, we’ve built a foundation of love that is rooted in emotional resilience and compassion. We want to pass that legacy on. Our dream is to raise children in a home where emotional intelligence is nurtured, where mistakes are met with grace, and where growth is a lifelong adventure. Thank you for helping us bring that dream to life.

With Love, Kindness and Gratitude,

-Steve & Nzinga