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Alumni who met and fell in love on campus
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”” top_margin=”none”][vc_column type=”” top_margin=”none” width=”1/1″][vc_empty_space height=”32px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”” top_margin=”none”][vc_column type=”” top_margin=”none” width=”1/1″][vc_empty_space height=”32px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”” top_margin=”none”][vc_column type=”” top_margin=”none” width=”1/1″][vc_empty_space height=”32px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”” top_margin=”none”][vc_column type=”” top_margin=”none” width=”1/1″][vc_custom_heading text=”“WE MET IN THE QUEUE OF THE B.F. ROBERTS DINING HALL IN DECEMBER OF 1968.”” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700″][vc_empty_space height=”32px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”” top_margin=”none”][vc_column type=”” top_margin=”none” width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4163″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column type=”” top_margin=”none” width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]
“Just as you cannot think of Napa Valley without thinking of wine, you cannot think of us without thinking of JSU. We met in the queue of the B.F. Roberts Dining Hall in December of 1968, just days after I enrolled in the winter quarter (JSU was on the quarter system then). We felt comfortable with each other from the start as Milton lived across the hall from my brother in Ayer Hall and was friends of the brothers of one of my high school teachers. The dining hall became a regular daytime hangout spot for us as Milton looked forward to eating my leftovers.
“Love was in the air. It was in the whispers of the trees as we strolled across the campus after our weekly visit to the Penguin for the hot dog special. We grew inseparable. Our relationship just felt right—it was as though we were soulmates. I don’t remember Milton formally proposing. We were shopping in downtown Jackson one weekend and wandered into a jewelry store. Milton bought rings (his and mine) and said that we were engaged.
“We were married in 1971 during the Easter break of my junior year (Milton’s senior year). Though we were married in my hometown of Nettleton, Mississippi, the wedding was certainly a JSU affair.
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“Robert Cooper, the director of the student union, notarized our marriage license. Mrs. Brown, the wife of Harris Brown, the director of the New Men’s Dorm, made my wedding dress for $5; and JSU alum Dessie Newton rented us a room in her home. If you do the math, you will find that we will celebrate 49 years of wedded bliss in April.
“JSU gave us each other and a great education. We continue to give to her through funds and service. We have both held national and local alumni positions and have an endowed scholarship fund at the university.”
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”” top_margin=”none”][vc_column type=”” top_margin=”none” width=”1/1″][vc_empty_space height=”32px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”” top_margin=”none”][vc_column type=”” top_margin=”none” width=”1/1″][vc_empty_space height=”32px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”” top_margin=”none”][vc_column type=”” top_margin=”none” width=”1/1″][vc_separator_pr style=”default” top_margin=”none”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”” top_margin=”none”][vc_column type=”” top_margin=”none” width=”1/1″][vc_empty_space height=”32px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”” top_margin=”none”][vc_column type=”” top_margin=”none” width=”1/1″][vc_empty_space height=”32px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”” top_margin=”none”][vc_column type=”” top_margin=”none” width=”1/1″][vc_custom_heading text=”AND OVER ALL THESE VIRTUES PUT ON LOVE, WHICH BINDS THEM ALL TOGETHER IN PERFECT UNITY. – COLOSSIANS 3:14″ font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700″][vc_empty_space height=”32px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”” top_margin=”none”][vc_column type=”” top_margin=”none” width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”3916″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column type=”” top_margin=”none” width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]
“As I reflect on one of the many blessings from last year, I can’t help but reminisce on the day that Devin and I met in statistics class back in 2012 on the great campus of Jackson State University. Looking back, we were actually homies at first – hanging out, making memories and just really enjoying our best college life! As we matriculated through Jackson State, we both excelled academically and obtained psychology degrees in 2014.
“As time went on, we kept in touch. We traveled back and forth to visit each other and continued building a bond that just keeps getting stronger and stronger every day. Fast forward to today, we are 10 months away from saying ‘I do,’ and I must say that although it’s been challenging, it’s been the best experience of my life! My husband-to-be has transformed into something special; he’s becoming the man that God has created him to be. He’s the true definition of patience, grace, consistency and loyalty. This man’s love and ability to provide is absolutely unconditional. For me, he will move mountains, sacrifice himself and do whatever it takes to show his love. From my worst days to my best, he has remained solid.
“You see, no man is perfect. But his imperfections wrapped up in a perfect God makes it all worth it. I’m so excited to say, ‘I do’ and share forever.
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” – Colossians 3:14
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”” top_margin=”none”][vc_column type=”” top_margin=”none” width=”1/1″][vc_empty_space height=”32px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”” top_margin=”none”][vc_column type=”” top_margin=”none” width=”1/1″][vc_empty_space height=”32px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”” top_margin=”none”][vc_column type=”” top_margin=”none” width=”1/1″][vc_separator_pr style=”default” top_margin=”none”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”” top_margin=”none”][vc_column type=”” top_margin=”none” width=”1/1″][vc_empty_space height=”32px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”” top_margin=”none”][vc_column type=”” top_margin=”none” width=”1/1″][vc_empty_space height=”32px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”” top_margin=”none”][vc_column type=”” top_margin=”none” width=”1/1″][vc_custom_heading text=”“I’M FOREVER THANKFUL TO JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY AND THE LOVE I FOUND AT ‘MY DEAR OLD COLLEGE HOME.’”” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700″][vc_empty_space height=”32px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”” top_margin=”none”][vc_column type=”” top_margin=”none” width=”1/1″][vc_single_image image=”3913″ alignment=”center” border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”large”][vc_empty_space height=”32px”][vc_column_text]
“Twelve years ago, I was an incoming freshman at Jackson State University. I had plans to march for the Sonic Boom and had been introduced to Justin earlier that spring. He assured me that he would look out for me once I was in the Boom, and I took his word for it. That was in April. The next time I saw Justin was November of 2006. I don’t know how he was supposed to look out for me, and he was never at practice! If you were in the band with us, then you know Justin only showed up to practice on Thursdays and Fridays. Needless to say, Justin was just someone I would say ‘hey’ and ‘bye’ to during the rare times I would see him in the band hall.
“Well, by fall 2008, Justin decided to come to practice a little bit more. We like to laugh at the story of how I lost his car keys in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, after a football game against UAPB. I’m quite sure those keys are still lost somewhere under the bleachers. As the marching season progressed, we knew that we liked each other more than friends. However, in life, timing is everything, and at that point, the timing just wasn’t right.
“Over the next six years, Justin and I lived very separate lives. Although we both remained in Jackson, our paths never crossed. However, in 2015 Justin sent a Facebook message apologizing for things that transpired years ago. I responded with ‘all is well’ and wished him the best. It was another six months before we spoke again and decided to rekindle a friendship. Through much growth – separately and together – we made it official in January of 2017.
“Later that year, on the morning of Nov. 4 (JSU’s homecoming), at Cracker Barrel surrounded by friends and family, Justin proposed! When asked why Cracker Barrel, Justin stated, that months ago, it was here, while playing checkers against each other, that he knew he wanted to marry me.
“I’m forever thankful to Jackson State University and the love I found at ‘my dear ole’ college home.’”
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