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NIAJA GRAHAM & CHRISTOPHER BOLASINGH
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Yonkers, NY
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LOVE STORY:
My name is Niaja and I have been engaged to the love of my life, Christopher, since Christmas of 2009. Chris and I have known each other for thirteen years because we lived in the same building. However, when I moved out, we lost contact for a number of years; until one day, during the summer of 2005, we bumped into each other on the same street we used to live on. One thing led to another and we have remained in contact with each other since. In fall of 2006, I went away to college and this definitely put a strain on our relationship, but the love we had for each other carried us through.
During April of 2008 my life changed forever when my Dad passed away from an asthma attack during my 20th birthday dinner. His passing had a major impact on my life to the point where no words can ever explain the pain I felt. It was ten times worse because six years earlier my mother passed away as well. However, I tried my best to keep it together because I had my seven year old sister who needed me now more than ever. Throughout this time, Chris remained by my side through it ALL. The way he cared for me and my sister made me love him more than I already did and this confirmed that he was the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. Having Chris go through the struggle and hurt with me helped me to keep pushing and never give up. By being faced with the loss of my parents and other obstacles we have learned to appreciate and cherish the relationship we have. We are very often told by family and friends how proud they are of us for being so young yet having the ability to stick together when it matters the most.
During Christmas 2009, Chris proposed to me at his parents’ house by presenting me with a clothing box (which I wondered why it was sooo light if clothes were inside). To my surprise I opened the box and inside was a little jewelry box that contained my ring. Chris then got down on one knee and asked me to marry him and in between the tears I managed to say YES. I was beyond happy that this man, that I had a crush on since I was eight years old, asked ME to marry him.
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SECRET TO HAPPINESS
The main secret to happiness is appreciating what you have. People focus on what they dont have before they look at what they do and realize that they've been blessed with sooo much already.
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MELISSA PIORKOWSKI & WILMAR ACEVEDO
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Greenwich, CT
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LOVE STORY:
My name is Melissa and my fiancée’s name is Willmar. Our journey began 12 years ago in high school. Little did I know that answering a knock at my door would change my life forever. It was him, the love of my life that I had been eyeing for a few months. What I didn't know until I opened the door is that he had set his sights on me as well. He asked me to a movie and the rest was history. Everyone that knew us saw the magic. We were perfect for each other. When he graduated, a year before me, he went to the University of Connecticut, Stamford to stay close to me. I needed him here while my family struggled with the addiction and death of my stepfather. I couldn't have made it without him so when the smoke cleared I supported and helped him pay to go away to the University of Connecticut. When he graduated he got a job and we both started saving to move in together.
We always knew we were going to be married and never needed a formal engagement. I never needed a ring to know we would be together forever. We were saving for an apartment and we couldn't afford a ring. A few years later we had our very first apartment . About two years after we first moved in together we were visiting my family in Saratoga, NY when he took me to a park, sat me down on a bench and proposed to me. Can you believe he saved for two years to buy me a ring when we are living paycheck to paycheck??!! We have been through it all, from euphoria to anger, silliness to sadness. Although the journey has been an emotional roller coaster, we have always been there for each other. Always. I love him with all my heart and I have always known that he was made for me. Unfortunately our wedding is put on hold as I am going back to college to finish my degree and we can’t afford it right now. What a blessing it would be to win this contest and proclaim our love to the world, as we have proclaimed it to each other for the past 12 years.
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SECRET TO HAPPINESS:
Very simply honesty. Keeping it real. Your feelings can never be wrong, so if you always say how you feel there is no argument. Honesty leads to trust which leads to respect which leads to loyalty which are all the foundation for a great marriage.
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