The story from Ellie's eyes: 

The place where the event happened had a section designated for the elderly or infirm from the congregation. I saw Lee from afar as I stood with my friends looking around for seats so we can rest our feet. Seeing that Lee had a VIP badge, I figured he must be the one helping with the seating arrangements. Right away I told my friends, “Don't worry I will put my "Mac Attack" into effect and I will get us some seats in no time.” My dear friends were not as hopeful I was and I didn't blame them. You have to understand, they have experienced the outcome of my "Mack attacks" on numerous occasions and basically, 99% of the time, they are unsuccessful. Despite that, I wasn't discouraged. I had an important task to fulfill. Our painful feet were depending on it.

 

First thing I noticed about Lee was that he knew how to dress. He looked good in his black turtleneck and corduroy jacket :-) He stood alone, leaning on the railing, gazing about his surroundings. I didn't know what to expect but I went up to him with a big smile and asked him can he help my friends and I out by providing us with a place to sit. Of course, he mentioned the seats are reserved for the older ones and those with health problems. What?! Man, I had to do something quick, before my friends declared another failed attempt on Ellie's "Mac Attack."

 

After relaying enough information to make him feel guilty, I just went ahead and confessed to Lee that my friends are depending on me to get us seats and not to embarrass me by saying no. He started laughing...'alright now we are getting somewhere' I thought to myself. We talked and laughed some more. Now my friends noticed things were going well and decided to join us. Next thing I knew, we were meeting Lee's sister –Tammie and her best friend Valerie in the VIP section with comfortable seats. Yes, we are in! Needless to say, that excitement was short lived because, we only stayed in our desired section for a few minutes. After we all got acquainted with one another, Lee was determined to follow given instructions (so much for comfortable seats), so we headed out the VIP section to watch the show standing up on the main floor. We also danced, laughed, and exchanged contact information. I guess our feet were in good shape after all. I didn't realize Lee and I danced all night until my friend who rode with me from Virginia later mentioned it to me. When the event was over, food was our next plan, so my friends and I said our goodbyes and headed out to eat. Yay! Another excitement in our lives. That was the last time we saw each other until May 15, 2010...

 

Lee's version of that night: 

Well I’m excited to tell you how I met the love of my life in October of 2008. First let me say that you never know what blessings you will receive when you help your brothers and sisters. Basically I was referred to Nikkya to help her promote her event in New York. I did some work for her via internet while I was in Houston. After I finished, my dear sister paid my way to attend her event in NY. I was excited because for me it was a blessing to get a chance to visit Brooklyn, Bethel where the headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses was located. At the same time, I was nervous since I've never traveled outside of the state or even flew on an airplane!

 

At the event, I was part of the VIP team and my job was to help older ones with seating arrangements. I had my VIP badge and was doing my job with ease...until, I was side tracked by a little woman who I saw looking at me from a distance and talking to her friends like something was funny. I am used to seeing sisters do this with their friends when they are at a party. Either way, Ellie walked up to me and tried to get some seats and I told her these seats are for the older ones only.  But then, something happened that I didn’t anticipate… she actually made me feel bad by letting me know that her friends need seats. I thought she was cute, anyway that’s probably how this all got started… I can’t remember what she said after that… but all I know is that while we both were laughing, I was thinking why do I have to work VIP?  I am going to miss a chance to dance with her. I walked Ellie to another place to find seats and introduce her to my sister and other friends. I was hoping in my mind that we could at least dance one time, since I like to dance. Then at some point the MC asked Ellie to dance to start the party. I was like really?... Out of all the women here why Ellie? I started thinking that this sister must be popular among the fellas.

 

I finally got my chance to show off and we danced and talked throughout the entire evening until Ellie's friends said its time to leave to eat. I knew I would be pushing it if I try to ask where they were going so I can come. Ellie actually didn’t want to leave because she told her friends 'I’ll be with ya’ll in a bit.'  I believe at some point, Ellie asked me if I wanted to come and I said I had to stay to help clean up or something like that...

 

We exchanged numbers, a hug and told each other to keep in touch. I must say I never felt so comfortable. It was like I had a best friend that I never knew. It’s amazing, I was so attracted to Ellie I forgot about my friends for a moment.  I actually enjoyed myself so much that I missed the dinner provided for those of us who were helping with the event. I guess it hit me the next day, when I thought I was going to see Ellie again at a gathering one last time before everyone went back home. She wasn't there. My buddy was heading back to Virginia and when would I see here again? That evening at the gathering, I felt sad inside, but had to act like I was having a good time. I started thinking how I must be fooling myself when it comes to long distance relationships. I figured that she was really outgoing and I seemed too excited for her. She probably thought I needed to get out more. I figured a sister  like Ellie must have lots of friends and certainly will not be thinking about me whose from another state.  Either way, I was nervous about staying in touch because she’s seems too good to be true. I didn’t know how she actually felt about me at the time or if I would see her again. That night in October was the last time we saw each other until May 15, 2010...

 

The Story Continues

 

May 15, 2010: From Ellie’s Point of View: I was visiting Houston that weekend because a family member was graduating from law school. Since Lee's sister Tammie had kept in contact through email with the ones she met at the gathering about 2 years ago, I was able to contact her to let her know of my visit. I wanted to attend a  congregation meeting for that weekend.  Since that was my first visit to Houston, I contacted Tammie for her meeting information and went that Saturday morning. Lee also attended the same congregation as his sister. We met again but briefly since I had to leave after the meeting to attend the graduation luncheon. Tammie and I made arrangements to get together later that evening.

 

Tammie decided to take her friends and I to a Spanish gathering that Lee had invited her to that evening. We arrived at the party when it was coming to a close. Lee asked me to dance to the last couple of songs. I put into effect my "Mac Attack" again by needing some guidance with my dance steps:-). It worked! Lee spent the evening teaching me how to dance to salsa even after the music was over. Apparently, it took 2 years for this seed of "Mac Attack" to be successful because this time it was the right time for El-Lee to start putting the pieces of the puzzle of their lives together...

 

January 3, 2014: Our official engagement evening at a restaurant called Houston's. It was there that Lee proposed and asked for us to spend the rest of our lives together. The best part (besides the ring), was my favorite bag of Twizzlers. It truly was a wonderful way to end the night. Our spiritual sister, Tina Bastien (who has been their chaperon consistently since the beginning, for all those years) was also present. (And she thought she wasn't a patient person.) Kudos to her for those wonderful engagement pictures! 

 

Yes it took us that long to realize that the "love bug" (as our dear friend Bro Hill would say) is powerful. No one is immune to being bitten by it, especially when you are not expecting it. Just remember when it bites, you have to make sure it not only feels right, but make you think right:-).