After a few weeks of talking on the phone, I told him that I would visit him in upstate New York when he was ready. I lived in Baltimore at the time so he didn't believe me. One weekend, I drove to his apartment. He saw me and hugged me so tight. Then he took me to IHOP, one of my favorite restaurants, to get pancakes. I think I was hooked then. We spent the entire weekend together. And we had a dope ass time. We took the risk and have been in love ever since.

Early in our relationship, Tory made a decision to continue dating me after I shared every single detail of my Long Covid experience. I lost my teaching career, became physically disabled, and have to depend on monthly income. Despite all of this, Tory told me: "I will take care of you. Your disability and experience does not scare me. I got your back." And by God, this man, the love of my life, has kept his word and more. I could not love him more.

Oh, we have a plan: $5,000 towards our daughter's college education; $5,000 towards house repairs (we desperately need a new door and bathroom); $5,000 for a trip to Japan to experience anime culture; and $5,000 so that our Long Covid disability justice business, the Black Long Covid Experience, LLC, can continue to educate Black disabled patients and aid those with immediate medical and financial needs.