How did you both meet and what were your first impressions?

Kiera: We met on April 21st 2016 at Dj’s on the hill in Syracuse. Kahlil kept staring and at first kinda creeped out but then he thought i was being choked out (i wasn't LOL) and asked if i was okay so sincerely and then proceeded to get to know me personally. At that point i knew he was different. The type of different I needed in my life.

Kahlil: We met in Syracuse at a club called DJ's on the Hill. Honestly, when I first saw Kiera, I was looking kind of hard at her for three reasons. The first, she looked familiar to me, but I could not remember where I might have seen her. The second, I thought she was very beautiful. And last, the guy she was dancing with looked like he was choking her. Her facial expression was as if she needed help. So after they stopped dancing and he walked away, I went over to her and asked if she was okay. The rest is history from there.

What moment made you decide that you wanted to commit to this person?

Kiera: When we had a movie day like a month after we met and he bought me cheese and green grapes. He asked me previously what I liked to snack on and he remembered. That moved my heart a bit. Very caring and thoughtful.

Kahlil: Kiera was and is very consistent. When I realized that she wanted to keep in touch with me, wanted to communicate, and sought growth between us, I knew she was the one I would want to commit to.

Share some examples of love you’ve seen in your life.

Kiera: The way my mom loves me. And honestly that's about it. Sad to say but hey.

Kahlil: Aunts and Uncles marriages lasting years; Barack and Michelle Obama; my family looking out for each other; parents listening to my dreams and visions while supporting me and pushing for my growth.

How do you take care of yourselves and each other?

Kiera: We are both selfless people so we tend to make sure people that we care about and love are straight. We have to remind ourselves that we need to think about ourselves &that is how we take care of one of another. We take a day among ourselves and spend time, talk, catch up (because sometimes we have hectic schedules), play games, watch movies, & relax. I usually treat myself to little things and take a day to have a mental and physical break. That is most important to me.

Kahlil: Every Friday is game night for us. No matter how much homework we have or stressed we may be, we always take Friday nights for us. We also try to have some sort of date night at least once a month, whether that is going out to eat, or going to the movies, or anything else. In addition to that, we always pick up where the other may not be able to. For example, if either one of us is sick and can't keep up with the house, the other will. As another example, if one of us is swamped with school work and can't cook as much, then the other will. We take care of each other by working to balance our personal responsibilities, looking out for each other, and making time for each other.

What were some things you had to overcome within yourself for this love to work?

Kiera: Allowing Kahlil to take care of me at times. I am very independent and i tend to shut down when people try to help me and i had to break that wall with him. It took a long while and still at times I'm still stubborn.

Kahlil: I have had to open my mind more and understand that in order for our love to work, it can't always be about me, and it should not. I have to hear and understand her side, and always work to come to a compromise. Of course, everything will not always be perfect, but active listening and responsible reaction is key. I've also had to overcome the fact that answers won't come my way the exact time I want it, and sometimes I have to be patient.

How do you deal with conflict among yourselves and with each other?

Kiera: I take time to reflect and then we come together and talk about it. We still have that difference when it comes to arguments. He wants to talk then and there, I want time to myself to recoup then talk but as you can see we work on it one way or another .

Kahlil: We may be upset, but we give each other time to cool down, and talk about it later and figure out the best compromise and solution.

Any advice for couples who are just starting or considering marriage? Why marriage?

Kiera: Take your time. Let things happen naturally. You WILL know if or when it is time for you guys to take it a step further. DO NOT SETTLE! Do not force anything that you SEE potential in. BE on the same page. and Most IMPORTANTLY communication is MAJOR KEY!

Kahlil: Work through your challenges together. Listen to each other. They say the beginning of marriage is always rough because of the foundation as a married couple that has to be built. Once you get through the foundation and have clear understandings of each other and are willing to compromise, the rest should come with limited differences (I say limited because it will not be 100% perfect, as no relationship is or should be).

As a married couple, keep your business to yourselves. Because you are in a marriage, your business should not be blasted all over social media for the world to see. The reason being is because that can destroy the potential for the problem to be fixed. In addition, entering a marriage is a sacred commitment between you and your partner. Therefore, that sacred relationship should not be broken by allowing others into your business. Not saying you can't talk to anyone if problems exist, but your problems should never be on blast for the world to see, and the first person you should be committed to talking to about anything, is the one you committed yourself to.

After years of being together, what makes you want to say I do?

Kiera: Kahlil is my lover and best friend all in one. To see a future with him had me very excited. He's been there through thick and thin and vise versa. He's actually changed me for the better nd made me into more of the woman I am today. I can see my life him and it hurts to the core even imagine life without him.

Kahlil: Love. Through everything, she's always been there for me, cried with me, loved me, taken care of me, and has supported me. I honestly would not trade it in for the world. In addition, I have goals in life. In getting to those goals, I know I will always have Kiera by my side. To not say I do and start from scratch would get either of us nowhere and only make life harder. Saying "I do" is the next step in our growth and future.

Unforgettable moments you’ve shared together that the other may have forgotten?

Kiera: WHENEVER we travel. And i don't just mean like vacations. when we go to new restaurants, parks, etc we always make our mark and do something to remember that place.

Kahlil: I honestly don't think Kiera may have forgotten any of our moments. But unforgettable moments would be our first date to a Bryson Tiller concert; Kiera leaving the country for the first time crossing over into Canada; Kiera's first time on a plane; our trip to Miami; and getting the keys to our first apartment.

What is your favorite physical thing about your partner/fav spiritual thing about your partner?

Kiera: Lawwddd his smile. Lights my heart right up! I love Kahlil's positive light on things. Whenever things goes south in any situation he ALWAYS makes a positive way out of it.

Kahlil: My favorite physical thing about Kiera is her face. Through some of the roughest days, life honestly gets easier when all I do is look at her. My favorite spiritual thing about Kiera is her spirit itself. Her spirit is very open is loving of people for who they are.

What are your top 3 love songs?

Kiera:

Love Ballad x LTD

Dangerously in love x Beyonce

TIE BETWEEN Here & Now x Luther Vandross OR Make it work x Ne-Yo

Kahlil: To be honest, I am not sure. I've obviously listened to love songs, but have never thought about how they would be ranked.

Lada: This couple is one of my favorite couples and examples of love. I met Kahlil in college and he has been one of my greatest guy friends. When he introduced our squad to Kiera, I KNEW it was lit! They are PERFECT for eachother and I cannot wait to witness the big day.