Keisha
is the only child of Mrs. Mocile C. Trotter and
the late Lee V. Trotter. She is 30 years old and
works as an Information Technology Specialist for
the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
She also operates a home-based web development company,
Kee Concepts, that specializes in innovative solutions
for nonprofit organizations and small businesses.
Keisha received her Masters degree from the Johns
Hopkins University and Bachelor degrees from the
University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC).
Andre
is the only son of Mrs. Jennie L. Nelson and the
late Andre R. Nelson. He is 30 years old and works
for Xerox Corporation as an Account Coordinator.
Andre is currently finishing up his Bachelor degree
in Information Systems from Potomac College.
We
met at the University of Maryland College Park.
I was in the Upward Bound program and Andre was
there playing basketball with his friends. At first
I was not interested in him because I thought he
was older than he actually was. We talked a few
times but nothing came of it. The summer ended and
we both went our separate ways. After awhile we
lost contact. Then in 1993, we both ended up graduating
from high school on the same day (different high
schools). His graduation was before mine. As I was
walking toward the area where the graduates were
to line up, I ran into Andre's cousin Eric, who
was also in the Upward Bound program. After talking
with Eric, Keisha continued walking. Then fate stepped
in. Andre got my attention and stopped me. He didn't
recognize me at first and was just talking to me
as if we had never met before. I said "You
don't remember me do you?" And then he said
"Keisha!".
And we have been inseparable ever since.
We
have been talking about getting married for years
but we both decided to wait until
we had accomplished a few personal goals.
On
April 29, 2004 Andre came home late that evening
and Keisha was already asleep when he came home.
When he came upstairs he was acting a little funny.
He said "I have to tell you something."
The first thing that came to my mind was that he
was in a car accident or had a problem on the job
because he said it like something was wrong. He
went into the other room and asked me to come in
there so he could tell me what happened. I jumped
up because I could not imagine what was wrong. I
prepared myself for the bad news. As I was turning
the corner, I noticed that he was on one knee and
had a ring box in his hand. He said "Will you...and
before he could finished his sentence I screamed
and grabbed the ring.
I
SCREAMED AND DANCED....
I
said Yes (of course!)..but there still was the formality
of the traditional engagement ceremony (KoKoKo)
that Andre and his family would have to endure.
The
engagement party occurred on Saturday, September
3, 2005 in Adelphi, Maryland. Both families were
busy getting everything ready. Everyone was excited.
Nana Kyerewaa and Nana Eduakwa V from Ghana, West
Africa presided over the ceremony. The families
were seated and libation was poured to ask permission
from Almighty God and our Ancestors. Then, it was
time for the negotiations. Robert Franklin, Andre's
uncle and Best Man spoke on behalf of Andre and
his family. The customary gifts were presented to
Keisha's family. Once the gifts were accepted it
was now time to test rather or not Andre recognized
his brides. Several decoy brides were presented
to Andre. But he did not waver. He knew his bride.
Keisha was debriefed on the negations and was asked
rather or not she would accept Andre's proposal....SHE
DID!
Keisha
was now a part of Andre's family and had to sit
with them now! Everyone hugged, cried and laughed.
NOW IT WAS TIME TO PARTY
Check
out the photo album for pictures from the engagement
party
