LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS: THE YEAR

The Year of Firsts

MB Mag readers, we would like to introduce you to the newlyweds, LAVELL AND KRISTLE PERSON and ANN AND WILLIE MOONEY. We sat down with both of these couples to talk about relationships. What better way to celebrate our anniversary issue than by hearing from these lovely couples in their first year of marriage. Not only that, but they also shared with us how they plan to spend their first holiday season as husband and wife. We hope you enjoy hearing from them as much as we did!

Lavell & Kristle

Kristle and Lavell met when Kristle and her twin attended an event Lavell was filming. She recalled admiring the professional group of young, Black men filming the event. She didn’t notice her future husband right away, but when his company, “1 Eye 1 Vision Productions,” was given a shoutout, she spotted Lavell in the corner on his laptop. “I asked my manager, ‘Girl who is that?’” Kristle explained. She shared how she then emailed him that night, professionally, as she truly wanted his company to film her and her sister. However, she confessed she also reached out to “of course, feel him out to make sure he wasn’t taken, lol.” That one message led them down the aisle on April 17, 2021!

Lavell confessed he knew “KP” was his future wife when he was going through a rough point in his life and she stored his film production equipment in her garage. “Mind you, we had just started dating and that equipment was worth close to 10K.” She stored it for him for several months. “I thought to myself, hmmm … yep! It’s time to start working on the ring design! Lol.” 3

Kristle, on the other hand, knew Lavell was the one when she reflected on how she knew where her place was in his life. Even more so, certainty came when she knew their relationship glorified God. “Being with Lavell didn’t compromise my relationship with God, but strengthened it, which was the number one thing that I prayed to have with my husband.” She shared that, through her life experiences, she understood that God wouldn’t send her someone that would corrupt her character or lead her astray. Lavell didn’t drain her energy or disturb her peace but instead edified her. She finished by saying, “I knew Lavell was the right one because he makes me feel good about myself and loves me just the way I am.”

Leading up to the proposal, Lavell admits he was “low key a train wreck!” He carefully took the time to design a ring that was both a reflection of himself and “my baby Kristle’s lifestyle.” When COVID happened, his plans were almost taken out. He had his mom, sisterin-law, cousins, brother, sister, and Aunty, all ready to go, just wanting everything to be right. He shared how “God placed the correct energy in my heart and told me to just go for it! So, I jumped in like a teenage girl playing double Dutch! Lol.” On the day Lavell proposed, Kristle shared how overwhelmed she was with all the feelings. “I definitely gave my ugly cry, lol.” While Lavell surprises her all the time, Kristle stated this surprise made her the happiest woman alive. She admits she was confused leading up to the proposal. “It was Xmas day and both our families were at my sister’s house. As people were preparing to leave, Lavell and Kerese (my twin) kept saying we have to take a selfie video before everyone leaves.” She recalled Lavell holding his phone and their families sitting in chairs. Because they are in the Lavell & Kristle's Advice film world, it wasn’t out of the norm for him to be talking to the camera. He called her up to the camera and she shared that she was being silly. “Then Lavell begins to compliment me, 1 Keep God first and I’m bowing and still being silly, and the next thing I know he bends down on his knee, and I remember gasping for air and exhaling seconds 2 Nothing is perfect later.” She shares her first thought was, “God, you didn’t forget about me.”

Communicate everything They both believe the most important factor of their successful marriage is what they call the marriage triangle: communication, 4 Don’t take anything personally understanding, and honesty. “Love is an offspring from this.” When they walk through difficult times in their relationship, they have 5 Listen to understand learned several rules of engagement. “We don’t argue or hit below the belt. That’s a no-no!” 6 Keep dating They learned to listen and understand instead of just responding. Also, they work to give one another space to allow feelings on both sides 7 Have healthy arguments to be heard and considered. “Never tear your partner down to the point that they cannot

Accept your partner’s receive you again or cannot pour into you when 8 feelings; it’s not always about you you need them. Trust me, you will need them again! That’s God’s path as He is our head of house!” 9 Keep loving yourself For their first holiday season together, Lavell and Kristle are planning to start their own 10 Learn your partner's love language tradition. Each year, they will travel with their close family members and enjoy each other’s company in Napa Valley. “We love family and 11 Grow together (include your partner; do not live a single married life) our family loves us! We wouldn’t have it any other way … Period!! Lol!” Likewise, each of their first holidays together they spend with family. “We are super big on being family-oriented. Our village is strong, Their favorite verse: and we will make sure that extends beyond our

“For I know the plans I have for you,” name!” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” —Jeremiah 29:11

Prepping for Marriage:

Ann & Willie

Q:

Tell us how you two met.

Ann: Maybe strange and unconventional at the time, our meeting actually happened on Facebook. Willie: I take complete ownership that I sent her a message to her inbox. Honestly, I didn't have any real high expectations. I mean, I wasn't really shooting my shot. I was just being nice and acknowledging another nice person from my discernment. But I admit, I'm very nosey. LOL! When Ann acknowledged my involvement with the men's ministry group, that made me curious to dig deeper.

Willie, how did you know Ann was the one? Ann, how did you know Willie was the one?

Willie: I knew she was the one over our time of courtship when my thoughts and responses to many things started to take a different type of consideration. Again, strange. We weren't each other's type; however, I witnessed her accept me in all my revealed transparencies and vulnerable areas of my personal life. Areas where, honestly, I had been judged and even rejected. Now that I started paying very close attention, Ann displayed that she was also a helpmate and a true partner. In all our imperfections, [she] was willing to follow me. Ann aligned with my godly purpose.

Ann: Willie was nothing [like anyone] I had ever dated or was used to. I mean, honestly, he wasn't what I would call my type. But over time as I matured as a woman, I let God choose my type. I started paying attention to him. Willie treats me like a queen. I had a list, and he superseded it all. He is a man that had a hookup with God, knows his purpose (which blends with mine). He didn't have a problem with being vulnerable and such a great listener.

Willie, tell us how you were feeling leading up to your proposal to Ann?

OMG, I was super nervous as hell. LOL! But honestly I felt very honored and proud of what I had planned. I wanted Ann to ultimately feel like a princess. I was so excited about the ring I purchased for her. I knew in my heart that proposing to her was God saying to me, "Great job son!" And at the same time, I felt like the most blessed and favored man in the whole entire world. I was finally claiming the Unicorn as mine. I said to myself, `Now y’all can kick rocks with your Beyonce song, "I put a ring on it!" LMBO

Ann, tell us how you felt the day Willie proposed?

OVERWHELMED WITH JOY! Let's just say, it's so hard to surprise

"He is a man that had a hookup with God, knows his purpose (which blends with mine). He didn't have a problem with being vulnerable and such a great listener.”

me. I was so surprised. I felt like I was dreaming. I couldn't stop crying. I mean, my husband perfected the engagement to every detail — from the camera man, to the family and friends on Zoom, location, he even picked out the outfit for me to wear. Oh my, that ring WAS NOT what I expected. This man has great taste where it has me still smiling.

What do you think is the most important factor to having a successful marriage?

Willie: God, unconditional love, communication, finances, and sex. Ann: I can agree with all that my husband has stated. Continued counseling and serving your spouse are necessities.

How have you two walked together through hard times, and how has your relationship with God helped you get through those difficult times?

Ann: An example of our hardest time together is when we both fought COVID. We didn't realize that our relationship was being attacked. By the both of us having a relationship with God, we were able to hear from Him and gain understanding as well as clarity regarding our feelings. We had to fight the spirits of mistrust, rejection, abandonment, and lack of communication. Our relationship, because of God and His intervention, became stronger. We decided to get married and have a small nuptial. Although we wanted the full participation of our friends and family in a large wedding, God showed us that Covenant was more important during this season than having a large ceremony.

Being newlyweds, can you tell us how you will be spending your very FIRST holidays together?

Willie: Hmmmm, this is a good one. We desire to be present in the moment with each other and our entire family. Maybe we will have a mansion with 10 bedrooms or maybe go back to a place similar to the one we were engaged in. We just would love to see our family all together.

What advice can you give our readers who are preparing for marriage?

Willie: This may sound cliche, but we believe in seeking God first for all things, especially marriage. Ask God to reveal to you HIS desires and purpose for your life. Is the person you are considering aligned with this purpose? Go through the process of courtship. Allow that man to pursue you. Pay attention to her resistance or pliability if you are the LEAD DOG, LMBO. Pray, pray, and pray. But don't ever forget to listen.

Can you share with us one of your favorite scriptures?

Willie: Luke 12:48, “To whom much has been given, much will be required; and from whom much is required, even more is given.” Let’s celebrate a man's favor with God! Ann: Hebrew 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” M