Natasha and Marcus met sometime in January 2003 (they disagree on the exact date) at a social event in Washington D.C. Both transplants to the D.C. area, Marcus hails from Winter Haven, Florida, while Natasha was born and raised in Brockton, Massachusetts. Natasha and Marcus left their families in the North and the South to pursue career aspirations – Marcus in the area of equal employment opportunity for the Internal Revenue Service and Natasha to practice as a health care attorney at a D.C. law firm, and eventually the General Counsel's Office at Howard University.

On that night in January, Marcus found himself standing next to Natasha and he struck up a conversation that ended with “If I give you my number will you call me?” Natasha promised, but it took her ten days to make good. Marcus will tell you that after their first date he knew she was “the One.” Natasha had to catch up. Eventually she did, fueled by his confidence, dedication to her, and heart of pure gold, and they have been inseparable ever since.

Marcus proposed on April 14, 2004, after a night out, on a bench at the Tidal Basin overlooking the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. Despite her usual perceptiveness, Natasha was clueless that night –not picking up on Marcus's weird behavior (he was constantly complaining that there were too many people around and insisting that they continue their walk despite Natasha's whining that her feet hurt ). Here is a part of what he said while on bended knee (he had it on a scrap of paper in case he forgot!):

“… Tasha I love you and I can't see myself without you. I prayed to God
To send me an angel to love and care for and that angel is you. My
heart has been filled with love, joy and happiness since you came
into my life. Your love is unconditional and true, and I would be honored
if you would share the rest of your life with me. Will you marry me?”

Needless to say, she said yes, through tears, and then called her family, while still sitting on that bench. Turns out they all knew this was happening, and were waiting for her call!

Natasha and Marcus feel truly blessed for the love they have found in each other, and they look forward to building a beautiful future together. Their only major disagreements – whether Florida is too hot, whether Massachusetts is too cold, and which of their birthplaces, on the basis of size, population, and land development, deserves the classification “City.”