Tarnya & Devalin

One hot summer night about six years ago, Devalin was enjoying some summer family fun over his cousin Quandra's house. During the evening, Quandra, approached Devalin and told him, "I know someone who will be perfect for you!" In minutes, Tarnya received a phone call from a co-worker/friend, Quandra, and said, "Chick, my cousin is a nice guy and he is here and I think ya'll will make a good couple -- I'm putting him on the phone, talk to him!" Before I could ask any questions or say anything, the phone was passed and a male voice got on the phone and said, "Hello!" To which I replied back, "Hello!" We hit it off immediately and continued to talk until hours later, Quandra came to retrieve her phone. We then exchanged phone numbers and continued the conversation into the early morning Throughout these many discussions we realized that we had a lot in common but weren't sure if our differences would bring us closer or send us back to the 'single' life.

Devalin was raised mostly in Baltimore City, Maryland. He was a star football athlete during his high school years and is now a coach at New Town High School in Owings Mills, Maryland. He is witty, very creative, artistic, enjoys video games and has a real passion for animals. Devalin is street smart and is very opinionated about everything he feels passionate about! Tarnya was raised in Harford County Maryland and although she too was athletic, she loved schoolwork and learning. Tarnya, being a bit more sheltered, is not street smart and can seem a bit naïve especially when engaging in topics that Devalin feel passionate about (civil rights, gender roles, love etc.). Tarnya joined the military at age 17 and is very proud of her service in the United States Army -- Devalin has an opinion about the military too!

Throughout the courtship and despite the differences, we learned to communicate in a way that created mutual respect, a very loving bond and a friendship that surpasses the "idea of getting married" -- we actually like each other! Together, we thrive off of being honest (not brutally), kind to each other's needs, supportive of our individual dreams and are eager to create a life together!