Nicholas and Vanessa Ward met at Southeastern College in Lakeland, Florida. Ness, a psychology major, was a year ahead of me and graduated in April of 1999. It was at this time that I asked for her hand in marriage as a sort of graduation gift. After all, Southeastern Bridal College guaranteed “a ring by Spring or your money back.” And it was a special ring.

Ness moved back in with her folks who live in North Carolina to prepare for the wedding. I graduated a few months later in December with a Communication degree. We spent the year apart and visited a few times. I remember a lot of time on the phone and in video chats.

We married in April, a year and a week after the day that we began our engagement. We spent a week in Ft. Lauderdale for the honeymoon. And to settle all the rumors.. Yes, the “you may now kiss the bride” kiss was the first time we ever locked lips.

We now live in Gainesville, Florida, where I am working on my masters in Mass Communication Law at the University of Florida. I am also recording my first album, A New Love for Music.

Vanessa works for the Central Baptist Family Services as an adoption counselor.