0198219882 01320172019
2 | 10 I S S U E
A HAWTHORNE-DANIELS WEDDING
Date! e h t e v a S
HD H I G H
D E F I N I T I O N
n i e v o L
Join us as we celebrate the union between LaMeeka Hawthorne and Mario F. Daniels this winter season. In this issue: Get to know LaMeeka and Mario as they take you through their timeless love, captured in these stunning photos.
HD H I G H
D E F I N I T I O N
n i e Lov
THIS EDITION WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: PRODUCER | DIRECTOR REBECCA HYPPOLITE
MAKEUP | GLAM WHITNEY RAE
PHOTOGRAPHY | VISUAL DAVID COY
PRODUCTION ASST. | DECOR #CHEFJEFFDIDIT
VIDEOGRAPHY | BEHIND THE SCENES JEREMY SNAPWALKER
#LOVEIN HD2019 FRIENDS | LOVERS 9102DH NIEVOL# B e c o m p l e t e l y h u m b l e a n d g e n t l e ; b e p a t i e n t , b e a r i n g w i t h o n e a n o t h e r i n l o v e . M a k e e v e r y e f f o r t t o k e e p t h e u n i t y o f t h e S p i r i t t h r o u g h t h e b o n d o f p e a c e . E p h e s i a n s 4 : 2 - 3
M a n w i l l l e a v e h i s f a t h e r a n d m o t h e r a n d w i f e , a n d t h e t w o w i l l b e c o m e o n e f l e s h . H o f y o u a l s o m u s t l o v e h i s w i f e a s h e l o v t h e w i f e m u s t r e s p e c t h e r h u s b a n d . - E p h
b e u n i t e d t o h i s o w e v e r , e a c h o n e e s h i m s e l f , a n d e s i a n s 5 : 3 1 - 3 3
E c c l e s i a s t e s 4 : 9 : “ T w o a r e b e t t e r t h a n o n e , b e c a u s e t h e y h a v e a g o o d r e t u r n f o r t h e i r l a b o r : I f e i t h e r o f t h e m f a l l s d o w n , o n e c a n h e l p t h e o t h e r u p . B u t p i t y a n y o n e w h o f a l l s a n d h a s n o o n e t o h e l p t h e m u p . A l s o , i f t w o l i e d o w n t o g e t h e r , t h e y w i l l k e e p w a r m . B u t h o w c a n o n e k e e p w a r m a l o n e ? "
D o n o t b e a n x i o u s a b o u t a n y t h i n g , b u t i n e v e r y s i t u a t i o n , b y p r a y e r a n d p e t i t i o n , w i t h t h a n k s g i v i n g , p r e s e n t y o u r r e q u e s t s t o G o d . A n d t h e p e a c e o f G o d , w h i c h t r a n s c e n d s a l l u n d e r s t a n d i n g , w i l l g u a r d y o u r h e a r t s a n d y o u r m i n d s i n C h r i s t J e s u s . - P h i l i p p i a n s 4 : 6 - 7
t e | HER SIDE. M e W w Ho
Whenever people ask me how Mario and I met, the “blackpeoplemeets.com” commercial flashes in my mind – the one where the couple is constantly making up a “how they met” story, so as to not reveal they actually met online. HAHA! The shortened version of our truth, however, begins with the “fun fact” that we are both apart of BGLO’s (Black Greek Lettered Organizations). One particular night, our respective chapters decided to come together for a “meet and greet.” That night, was when Mario and I crossed paths for the first time. (Too many details could get some people in trouble, LOL). It’s safe to say that we can blame this random encounter on fate and my sorority sister, Kandice McLeod, who decided to drag me out of my warm and cozy bed to attend this “meet and greet” with her. It’s crazy how life works, because I was adamant on not going that night. I gave Kandice every excuse in the book, but for some reason, she wasn’t having it! Keep in mind, I am not the easiest person to convince.
Nevertheless, I threw on a polo hat, some sweats, and a shirt, and hobbled my way to her car. Oh, did I fail to mention that my foot was broken at the time? We got to the meet and greet, and I was giving off my usual “stush” vibes – “prissy,” for those who’ve never heard the term before. I found a chair to sit in, and part of me prayed that I could just blend into the wall and ignore everyone (I really didn’t want to be there). An hour or so went by, before this random guy decided to invade my personal space, and take the empty seat to the right of me. As he started with the small talk, all I could say to myself was “Whose mans is this?” and “Why is he talking to me?” Little did I know that he was “MY MAN” and “MY FUTURE HUSBAND.” As the meet and greet came to an end, I remember walking towards the door and seeing Kandice and Mario talking in the kitchen. I was ready to go and due to my ailment, and I decided it would be best to get a head start to the car. As I went to step out of the door, Mario appeared out of nowhere asking me for my number. I gave him THE ULTIMATE side eye. I couldn’t understand how at my worst, here was this guy asking me for number. I was looking wild, CRAZY! Nonetheless, I respected his ability to see this diamond in the rough, so I gave him my number and kept hobbling. The rest is history!
As he started with the small talk, all I could say to myself was “Whose mans is this?” and “Why is he talking to me?” Little did I know that he was “MY MAN” and “MY FUTURE HUSBAND.”
a k e e M a -L
t e | HIS SIDE. M e W w Ho If you are reading this, then you already know that both I and my fiance are members of BGLO's. You know that we both share a love for our organizations, and that well... Our "mutual meetings" are definitely a sacrifice of time and energy, that we both welcome wholeheartedly. So for me to speak of where I was physically at the time is a mute point for me. As members of our organizations, we do what we do to continue their growth and legacy beyond our existence. That's black-greek love. What I'd rather share with you is where I was spiritually, mentally, and physically at the time; and how a chance meeting turned into what is about to be our greatest story being told in real-time. Love for me was a chance I wasn't willing to take anymore. I felt that I had been lost in its currents, drifting along, periodically boarding on sinking ships. After 30 plus years of living this way, a man eventually finds himself willing to accept those types of relationships, and all they may encompass. In feeling this way, I had embarked on a mental, physical, and spiritual journey to find and do what others couldn't do for me... love me in totality. This was the lie I, like many other men, told myself. I renewed my contract in the player's club and was ready to get it poppin'. Fast forward to the night I met LaMeeka. I was fashionably late for our meeting, and the festivities had begun without me. Out of the many places I could have stood or sat, I chose to plop down next to the pretty girl with the mean face. She had one good foot at the time, so she had no choice but to entertain my witty conversation and charming good looks. Of course, she did her best to ignore my animal magnetism, but for some reason, I couldn't resist the urge to keep pursuing her. Maybe it was her beauty, or maybe it was her booty, but to the contradiction of my new found beliefs, I was picturing myself as her man. It had already been put into my heart that she would be mine, so I did what any confident, charismatic, handsome, self-assured man would do, I asked Kandice McLeod if she could hook me up. Like any good soror, I was kindly informed that if I wanted this woman, my investment would be that of my own sweat equity. Meaning, I had to ask her myself. So I manned up, put my big boy draws on, and I approached her just as she was leaving. Much to my surprise, this tough cookie had given me her number. I felt like Steve Urkel getting Laura without having to become Stefan Urkel. I was wearing her DOOOOWN! I had given up on love. The plan was to be alone until the end. But it was clear that God had other plans for me.
I HAD GIVEN UP ON LOVE. THE PLAN WAS TO BE ALONE UNTIL THE END. BUT IT WAS CLEAR THAT GOD HAD OTHER PLANS FOR ME.
o i r a -M
c
La mus
F
Mar
M
LaMeeka's favorite candy: Mike and Ikes
aMeeka's favorite sic genre: 90's R&B
Fun Facts.
ario's favorite color: Black
Mario's favorite artist: Prince
Η ΠΡΟ |
P W O P O Z I S Y O N
L A
U K U P H I L A
|
|
P R O P O S A L
O P U E S T A
A N
T H E
P R O P O S I T I O N
|
L A
P R
ΟΤΑΣΗ L A
P R O P O S I T I O N
|
|
U K U P H I L A
P R O P O S A L
|
P W O P O Z I S Y O N
T H E
|
L A
P
O P U E S T A
A N
According to Meeks... The weeks leading up to the proposal were a bit tense to say the least. My birthday was swiftly approaching, and being that I take my birthday very seriously, I was annoyed when I felt like everyone was being dismissive of this impending national holiday. When I say everyone, I primarily mean my line sisters, JahShirah and Dolores. Simply put, to know me is to know them. For the past 10 years we had always made sure to have something planned for one another, whether big or small. Needless to say, feeling as if I was pulling teeth for us get a plan going, did not sit well with me – at all. To make matters worse, about a week before my birthday, I asked Mario if he was able to get my birthday weekend off from work, and his response was – “NO.” Wait, what? I literally could not believe it. I immediately told him my birthday was “canceled” and left the house. HAHA WHERE IS MY ACADEMY AWARD!! When I got home, I started looking up flights to California. I refused to be in New York for my birthday. Having taken lessons in “PETTY 101,” I decided to text Mario telling him that I was planning on going to California BY MYSELF for my birthday. At this point Mario started telling me how I ruin everything BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, and that we’re going to The Dominican Republic so pack my bags and leave him alone. YITADEE! That’s more like it. The actual day of the proposal Mario was on edge – he only engaged in minimal conversation, and even had a small attitude on our way to dinner. While at dinner the conversation picked up a bit, but not much, so I was relieved when he said “let's go take a walk on the beach.” Mario and I are not the “hand holding” couple. Typically, we’ll hold hands for a bit and then let go. This night proved to be no different. While walking on the beach, we took in the picturesque scenery, and the calming waters, but then it got chilly and my lovely stroll turned in to a brisk walk. Mario always teases me saying that I walk way too fast and that I’m always leaving him when we’re walking. During my brisk walk to the room I turned to my left and Mario was no longer beside me. Instead he was behind me and down on one knee. TALK ABOUT SWOON WORTHY MOMENT! The waterworks began instantly, with my ugly cry in full effect. I said “Yes” before he could complete his sentence. And so it began...
Let Mario tell it... Before I even begin this story, I would like to thank LaMeeka's mom, Lydia Baldwin, and her line sisters, JahShirah and Dolores. Without them, none of this would have been possible. From the ring selection, making it happen, to keeping my "inquisitive" fiance in the dark, and even helping me keep my sanity during the process; I love and thank you all for it all. Now let's get the proceedings proceeding. If I remember correctly, I asked LaMeeka's family and friends for permission to marry her at least a year or two before I actually proposed. Being a man of humble means, I knew I had to prepare myself, and make myself suitable for marriage. This meant changes and sacrifices. Fellas, if you love someone, and you know you’re going to spend the rest of your life with them, then you're going to have to prepare yourself to be wed. That means having a foundation that consists of financial, spiritual, mental means. I'm not saying that everything has to be perfect, because I'm not perfect. But you have to allow the doors to be opened by God, in order for you to grow into your full potential. It is a never ending process of growth, faith and prayer. By the time we got to the Paradisus Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, I was a nervous wreck. Afterall, I was only about to take the biggest step and leap of faith in my life. So many thoughts rushed through my head. Will she say no? Am I husband material? Forever? Forever ever? FOREVER EVER? I think I must have contemplated my whole life by the time it came down to it. It was February 5th, the day before her birthday. It was conveniently mentioned that "if I was thinking of proposing, that I should NOT do it on her birthday, because that would be tacky" (her words). And she was right (she's usually right). It's around 11:30-40 PM, we had just finished an exquisite meal, and I'm nervous as hell! My future wife has a bad habit of speed walking, so I was hoping that she would be in road runner mode this night. I asked her to take a walk on the beach, the moon was full and bright, the humidity was low, and all you could hear was the sound of the crashing waves against the beach. As expected, the road runner took off, giving me the timing to fall back, get the ring out of my pocket, get down on one knee, and hope I could find the right words to claim my queen. I don't remember what I said, but I know I stuttered a lot. Safe to say, she said yes, and as beautifully put, our love was embarking on a new chapter. From Hawthorne and Daniels, to Hawthorne-Daniels. Our love is HIGH DEFINITION.
#loveinhd2019
HD H I G H
D E F I N I T I O N
in e v Lo
#LoveinHD2019 will be a vibe, a look, and a BIG MOOD. Show up, Show out, and Support us as we take our vows and enter the covenant of marriage. "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." -1 John 4:8
Save the Date! LaMeeka & Mario Are Getting Married. February 10, 2019 | New Rochelle, NY www.LoveinHD2019.com